The Treaty Trader (E-1) 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 E-1 Treaty Trader must, whether an Individual or Business or Individual Employed by that Individual or Business, Possess the Nationality of a Country with which the United States Maintains a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation.
As of January 2003, eligible Treaty Trader countries are:
Even if the treaty exists with the United States, a foreign trader who seeks E-1 visa status must meet all of the following requirements: (1) the trade must constitute an exchange; (2) the trade must be international in scope; and (3) the trade must involve qualifying activities.
Both E-1 and E-2 visa holders are initially granted a period of admission for two (2) years with an unlimited number of two-year extensions of status.