Non-Immigrant Investor Visas: E-1, E-2
E-1 Visa (Treaty Trader Visa)
The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa allows foreign nationals from treaty countries to enter the United States to engage in substantial international trade. Eligible applicants must:
Be a citizen of a treaty country.
Conduct principal trade between the U.S. and their home country.
Be engaged in qualifying trade activities: goods, services, technology, or banking.
This visa also extends to essential employees and family members. It’s ideal for business owners and companies with consistent international transactions seeking to operate from the U.S.
For detailed information get consultancy: Book a Consultancy
📘 … or download Yıldız Law Firm’s E-1 Visa Guide:
Top 10 E-1 Visa FAQs | Treaty Trader Visa Questions Answered by a Business Visa Attorney
Looking to apply for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa? Here are the top 10 questions foreign business owners and investors ask immigration lawyers about the E-1 visa process:
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“Substantial trade” refers to regular, meaningful international commerce between the U.S. and your treaty country. Immigration officers look for consistent trade activity, not one-time shipments.
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Immigration law firms often recommend some numbers in annual trade or high-frequency transactions that demonstrate active business operations. It is true but it depends on the sector what is “high-freaquency transaction”
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Yes. Your business should be fully active, with several months of documented trade. A business visa attorney can help you prepare the required evidence for your E-1 petition.
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Yes. You can be the owner and manager of the U.S. company if you're a national of a treaty country and meet the treaty trader visa requirements.
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The E-1 applicant’s business must be U.S.-based and engaged in trade with the treaty country. You don't need a foreign company, but your trade must primarily involve your home country.
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E-1 visas are available to owners, executives, or essential employees of U.S. businesses that are at least 50% owned by treaty country nationals.
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Yes, but only if it’s actively trading and can provide evidence of ongoing trade with your treaty country. A law firm specializing in E-1 visas can help you document this properly.
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Absolutely. The E-1 visa covers goods and services — tech, consulting, finance, logistics — as long as they involve cross-border transactions between the U.S. and your treaty country.
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At least 50% of your international trade must be with your treaty country. Additional international trade is allowed but can't outweigh treaty-based transactions.
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Not directly. The E-1 is a non-immigrant visa, but some E-1 holders later adjust status via employment-based green card routes (like EB-1 or EB-5). Ask your immigration lawyer near you for options.
E-2 Visa (Treaty Investor Visa)
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is designed for individuals who invest a substantial amount of capital into a U.S. business. To qualify, applicants must:
Be a national of a treaty country.
Invest in or purchase a real, operating U.S. business.
Have control over the investment and business operations.
This visa supports entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business investors aiming to manage their U.S. ventures while living in the country. Dependents and key employees may also be eligible.
For detailed information get consultancy: Book a Consultancy
📘 … or download Yıldız Law Firm’s E-2 Visa Guide: