E-1 Treaty Traders

The following information describes the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa for persons wishing to trade with a company in the U.S. Please note that the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa is not a substitute for an immigrant visa. Persons wishing to remain indefinitely in the U.S. should apply for the appropriate immigrant visa.

A national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who wishes to go to the United States: to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country may qualify for a nonimmigrant Treaty Trader visa.

How to apply

Applicants for Treaty Trader (E-1) status must first seek registration of the enterprise. To register an enterprise, the applicant must establish that the trading enterprise meets requirement of the law. See 9 FAM 41.51 and "Registering your Enterprise".

Once the enterprise is successfully registered, E visa applicants will be required to appear in person before a consular officer for a personal interview. The applicant has the burden of demonstrating eligibility for E Visa classification as an investor or employee. ( See 9 FAM 41.51 )

Processing Times

It may take up to 6 months for the consular office to process an E visa application, but visa processing times may vary depending on the consulate.

U.S. Port of Entry

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The immigration officials at the port of entry have the authority to deny admission.

Spouses partners and children

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative E visas. If applying separately from the principal, a copy of the marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) for the child(ren) will be required. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

E visa versus F-1

There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an E visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the U.S.

Working on an E visa

As a result of a recent change in the law, spouses of E visa holders may seek employment authorization on derivative E visas. For further information, please contact the USCIS on your arrival in the United States.

Time Limits

Holders of E visas may reside in the United States until their visas expire and provided that they work for the same employer.

London, Nov. 2006

Requirements: Treaty Trader Visa (E-1)

The applicant must be a national of a treaty country; (see 9 FAM 41.51 N3)
The trading firm for which the applicant is coming to the U.S. must have the nationality of the treaty country; (see 9 FAM 41.51 N3)
The international trade must be "substantial" in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade; (see 9 FAM 41.51 N6);
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; (see 9 FAM 41.51 N6);
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. (See 9 FAM 41.51 N13); and
The applicant intends to depart the United States when the E-1 status terminates.

Our Preparation Time: 5 business days

Government Filing Fees: US$131

Government Processing Time: 3-12 weeks

Accurate and Persuasive Case Preparation

Submitting an immigration case is not simply a matter of filling out the correct government forms. At PowerVisa we don't simply prepare and file forms, we prepare and file your individual and unique case. Your case is unique and deserves to be presented to the government with all its strengths, not just as another set of forms. We prepare and file each client's case with the personal attention it deserves. We think outside the box and prepare each client's case as a comprehensive filing package, highlighting the unique strengths of each case. We guarantee the accuracy of our filings and guarantee that your case will never be rejected for improper or incomplete filing.

Making Your Case - Supporting Document Guidance

The strength of your case not only requires persuasive and accurate forms,it also requires presenting your supporting documents in the strongest light. We provide all PowerVisa Clients with a comprehensive Supporting Document Checklist, listing all required and supporting documents needed for filing your case. We provide individual guidance on how to identify and locate hard-to-find persuasive documents, and suggestions on selecting the strongest documents as evidence. We also provide clients with a secure online account for uploading and submitting required documents in digital format.

Department of State Forms Preparation

For our consular processing clients, we prepare and submit up-to-date versions of all required Department of State forms, in accordance with State-prescribed format and the highest professional standards.

Communications with the USCIS

As your attorney of record, we conduct all necessary phone, email and fax communications with the USCIS on your behalf.

Communications with State Department

For our consular processing clients, we conduct all necessary phone, email and fax communications with the National Visa Center, and the U.S. Consulate and Embassy abroad.

Visa Interview Guidance

For our consular processing clients, we provide detailed guidance on how to properly prepare for and conduct the visa interview at the U.S. Consulate abroad, including guidance on what to say, and what not to say, where to go, when to appear, etc. We also provide a list of sample interview questions that the examining consular officer is likely to ask during the visa interview.

Client Updates

We keep clients informed of their case status at all times. We promptly provide clients with courier service tracking numbers and USCIS receipt numbers, including links for monitoring delivery status and case progress online.

Attorney Communications

Our clients enjoy direct email and telephone access to their attorney, during regular office hours, throughout the duration of their case. Clients can expect all emails and phone calls to be returned promptly.

Expediting Your Case

We prepare and submit your case within a maximum of five business days from receiving all requested information and documentation from you. Once submitted, we make all reasonable efforts to see that your case is processed within the shortest time frame possible. If there is a way to speed the process up for you, we will get it done.

Approvability and Risk Assessment

We thoroughly review and evaluate the merits of each case to determine the client’s preliminary eligibility for the benefits sought. If we determine that a client’s case may have trouble being approved, we work with the client to determine an appropriate strategy for overcoming any red flags or issues of approvability prior to filing. If there is a high risk of denial, we will let the client know and proceed with filing only after informed consent.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

(published with permission)

“Our attorney was an extremely reliable person who fulfilled his commitments. In our working with him, we had great confidence in his abilities, he communicated well, made himself available to us, and is also a very friendly and pleasant person to deal with. He proved a very knowledgeable, skillful, and effective attorney. The online systems in place at Powervisa made it really easy to exchange information and view the status of our case. ”

- Rose Taylor, Vice President, Marpa Foundation, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

“Working with PowerVisa has been a great and pleasant experience. Our attorney was not only knowledgeable but also working very hard and kind to us. Throughout the immigration visa application process I always know that we are in good and capable hands. ”

- James Yao, Director of Corporate Real Estate, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

“I was at first hesitant about securing legal assistance via the internet, especially in regards to such a personal and important issue. I was quickly set at ease by the professionalism, genuine concern, accessibility, knowledge and overall productivity/performance of our PowerVisa attorney. I will continue to recommend PowerVisa to anyone and everyone I encounter with similar issues. Thanks!”

- Trenton Franklin, San Antonio, Texas

“Excellent! Our attorney was Theodore. He guided us through all the steps. He gave us advice and was always there for us. He exceeded our expectations, going above and beyond what was required.”

- Anonymous Client, Miami, Florida

“My PowerVisa attorney was very well prepared when helping me through my process. He was a very smart attentive lawyer.”

- Carlos Alvarado, Longmont, Colorado

“Our attorney was very professional, courteous and detail-oriented through the whole process. All of my queries were answered in a timely fashion and I was always made aware of any trap doors far in advance, which led to a successful conclusion of my visa request. I would highly recommend this service for anyone seeking immigration help.”

- Anonymous Client, U.S.A.

“Excellent! Great advice, good support, excellent organization. ”

- Anonymous Client, Colorado, U.S.A.

“PowerVisa was always available for me whenever I had questions. It was comforting to know that I could reach my attorney anytime of day. I even got a call returned on a weekend when my attorney was skiing! ”

- Logan Bennet, Avon, Colorado, U.S.A.

“Our PowerVisa attorney was very patient and informative. He answered all of our questions in a direct and simple manner. ”

- Sue Pico, Arkansas, U.S.A.

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E-1 Treaty Trader Visa

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E-1 Treaty Traders

How to apply

Processing Times

U.S. Port of Entry

Spouses partners and children

E visa versus F-1

Working on an E visa

Time Limits

Requirements: Treaty Trader Visa (E-1)

Accurate and Persuasive Case Preparation

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

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