U.S. E-1 Treaty Trader

Summary

The E-1 treaty trader route allows certain treaty-country nationals to live in the United States temporarily to carry out substantial trade principally between the United States and the treaty country.

It can cover the trader, or certain executives, supervisors, and essential skilled employees of the treaty-country enterprise.

Eligibility

You may fit this pathway if:

• You are a national of a country with a qualifying E-1 treaty relationship.
• The trading enterprise has the treaty-country nationality.
• The trade is substantial, ongoing, and principally between the United States and the treaty country.
• Your role is as the trader, an executive or supervisor, or an essential skilled employee.
• You intend to depart the United States when E-1 status ends.

Duration, Renewal, and Long-Term Path

• Duration: Temporary and tied to the E-1 business and visa/status terms.
• Renewal: Often renewable while the trade and role remain qualifying.

What This Route Allows

E-1 can allow the person to live in the United States to conduct qualifying international trade.

What This Route Is Not

It is not a green card, and it is not available to every nationality or every business that sells to the United States.

Next Steps

1. Confirm treaty-country nationality for the person and enterprise.
2. Document the volume, continuity, and direction of trade.
3. Clarify the person's ownership, executive, supervisory, or essential-skill role.
4. Decide whether the case will be filed through a consulate or a U.S. change of status.

Sources

• U.S. Department of State - Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor Visas
• U.S. Department of State - Treaty Countries
• USCIS - E-1 Treaty Traders