E-1 Trade Investment Visa

Treaty Foreign Nationals, individuals residing in countries with which the U. S. has made such an agreement, are eligible to obtain an E-1 Trade Investment Visa allowing them to travel to, live and work here in the United States for an extended period of time. The E-1 Trade Investment Visa is specifically designed for individuals who are coming to the U.S. for the purpose of carrying on substantial trade, chiefly between the United States and that particular treaty country.

In today’s economic landscape tends to steer most Investment Visa candidates towards the service and technology industries, but other opportunities are available.

The Bernard Firm can help you apply for and obtain an E1 Visa if you fall into one or more of the following categories:

Executives, managers or specialists for a company operating in the U.S.
Key personnel charged with management of a U.S. branch of an affiliate
Personnel sent by a treaty nation to establish a company in the U.S.

These requirements limit this type of nonimmigrant visa to those individuals that serve in a supervisory or executive capacity and whose position involves essential skills. Previous restrictions only provided this type of Investment Visa for those involved in the banking, finance and the airline industry.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has since lifted these restrictions by expanding the definition of trading “goods and services” to include all tangible commodities or merchandise having intrinsic value. As a result, the opportunity for an E1 Visa has been extended to many more treaty foreign nationals hoping to enter the U.S. for professional reasons. The Bernard Firm has the expertise necessary to walk you through the application process step-by-step and boasts a reputation of excellence and exceeding clients’ expectations.

Form DS-156E

Form DS-156E is required of all E-1 treaty visa applicants.

Form I-129

Applicants also require Form I-129 before entering the United States.

Countries with Treaties for E-1 Visas:

Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Serbia Montenegra, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, Wallis & Futura Islands, Western Sahara

More Investment Visas

L-1A International Managers

Manager or executive works for foreign company that is related to a US company by 50% or more common ownership. The manager must have worked for the foreign company for one of the past three years and must be coming to the US company to work in a managerial or executive capacity.

E-1 Treaty Traders

The United States has signed a number of treaties with foreign nations designed to promote trade and investment. The E-1 visa category allows applicants and their minor children to apply for derivative E-1 visas so they do not have to separate from their families.

E-2 Treaty Investors

Owner or Developer of the new enterprise from a treaty country (see list of treaty countries) has 50% or more ownership in a substantial US employment creating investment. As a general rule substantial means $200,000 or more. Although smaller investments are often approved the risk of denial increases as one heads south of $200,000.

EB-5 Immigrant Visas

Individual invests $500,000 in a high unemployment area (150% of national unemployment rate) or $1,000,000 elsewhere and hires 10 persons within 2 years, or invests in a Regional Center and may use job multiplier studies instead of direct employment. Because this category has been controversial INS processing times are slow and unpredictable.

None of the investor categories have language, education or business experience requirements.

E-1 Investment Visa