The E-1 Visa is for a citizen of a treaty country (Please see the list to the right) who would like to trade in the U.S. Sometimes, employees of this organization may also be entitled to an E-1 Visa.
The E-1 Visa is for a citizen of a treaty country (Please see the list to the right) who would like to trade in the U.S. Sometimes, employees of this organization may also be entitled to an E-1 Visa.
The application for the E-1 Visa is the I-129. You will have to involve the Department of States and send your petition to them. Once the visa is approved, the second step is to apply to the U.S. Department of States (DOS). Where? At a U.S. port of entry.
Principal trade between the United States and the treaty country exists when over 50% of the total volume of international trade is between the U.S. and the trader’s treaty country.
If the principal alien employer is not an individual, it must be an enterprise or organization at least 50% owned by persons in the United States who have the nationality of the treaty country. These owners must be maintaining nonimmigrant treaty trader status. If the owners are not in the United States, they must be, if they were to seek admission to this country, classifiable as nonimmigrant treaty traders.
The E-1 requires the job to be of an executive or supervisory character. In other words, you as the visa holder must have control within the organization.
The E-1 allows for a stay of up to two years. Extensions are permitteed for another two years. There is no limit on the number of extensions for the E-1 Visa. All E-1 visa holders must be willing to leave the U.S. when the time is completed.
A treaty trader or employee may only work in the activity for which he or she was approved. You may not switch jobs. In summary you must as an E-1 Visa holder:
Yes, even employees can join. Spouses and unmarried children who are under 21 years of age may also be permitted to live and work legally in the United States. They may even attend school, but may not work. Family are considered E-1 dependents. Family members may also work, if they apply separately for a work permit.