Nationals of qualifying countries may apply for an E1 visa in order to 'Develop and Direct' import/export trade (of goods or services) between their own country and the US. They may also apply for E1 visas for key managerial and specialist employees. Unlike the L1 visa, there is no requirement for such employees to have worked for the Trader for at least one year in the last three.
The following countries have treaties with the United States that allow qualifying nationals to apply for Treaty Trader status:
Argentina, China (ROC), France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Costa Rica, Greece, Korea, Oman, Thailand, Belgium, Denmark, Honduras, Latvia, Pakistan, Togo, Bolivia, Estonia, Iran, Liberia, Philippines, Turkey, Brunei, Ethiopia, Ireland, Lux'bourg, Spain, U.K., Canada, Finland, Israel, Mexico, Suriname, Yugoslavia.
Visa Eligibility
The following countries have treaties with the United States that allow qualifying nationals to apply for Treaty Trader status:
Argentina, China (ROC), France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Costa Rica, Greece, Korea, Oman, Thailand, Belgium, Denmark, Honduras, Latvia, Pakistan, Togo, Bolivia, Estonia, Iran, Liberia, Philippines, Turkey, Brunei, Ethiopia, Ireland, Lux'bourg, Spain, U.K., Canada, Finland, Israel, Mexico, Suriname, Yugoslavia.
Visa Eligibility
- The applicant must be a citizen of a treaty country (listed above)
- The trading firm for which the applicant is coming to the U. S. must have the nationality of the treaty country
- The international trade must be "substantial" in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade
- The trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country, which is defined to mean that more than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the country of the applicant's nationality
- Trade means the international exchange of goods, services, and technology. Title of the trade items must pass from one party to the other
- The applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.