E1 Visa Treaty Traders

The Treaty Trader (E1) Visa is the result of an agreements between America and certain other nations regarding commerce that provide nationals of those countries may enter and work in America if they meet certain conditions.

Applicants under this category must be the same nationality as the company for which they work, and the company must be undertaking a level of trade with America sufficient to support the employee in America.

To be eligible for this visa:

• The applicant must be a national of a country which has a commercial treaty or agreement with America;

Eligible countries:

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

• The applicant must intend to conduct trade in America of a substantial nature (i.e. an amount of trade sufficient enough to ensure a continuous flow of international trade items between America and the treaty country);
• The trade must be conducted principally between America and the treaty country of which the applicant is a national;
• If the applicant is not the principal trader, he or she must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity or have specialised knowledge which makes their presence essential for the operation of the trade; and
• The applicant must intend to leave America when the visa expires.

The E1 Visa initially allows a stay of up to 2 years, although there is no limit to the total time the visa holder may remain in America providing they continue to meet all visa extension requirements. In addition, the spouse of an E1 Visa holder and dependent children are also granted this visa status.