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Work Visas
E-1 Treaty Traders
The Benefits of the American E1 Visa
The E-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa granted to citizens of countries that have trade agreements with the United States.
The primary advantage of this visa is that it allows applicants to conduct a substantial amount of trade between Russia and the USA.
E-1 holders can legally work in the United States based on the trade they conduct and can stay in the country for up to two years with the possibility of extension. Additionally, the applicant’s family members also receive the right to reside and study in the United States, and spouses may obtain permission to work.
Required Documents for E1 Visa
- Form DS-160: The online non-immigrant visa application form that needs to be completed.
- Documents confirming trade: Agreements, invoices, financial reports, and other documents demonstrating the existing trade between the two countries.
- Proof of the applicant's employment with the company: Work contracts, letters from the employer, confirming the key role of the applicant in the company.
- Proof of the applicant's citizenship: A copy of the passport or other documents confirming the citizenship of the country that has a trade agreement with the United States.
- Company information: A description of the company, evidence of its existence and activities in trade.
The E-1 visa provides unique opportunities for those who have close trade ties between their country and the United States, providing a long-term perspective for business development and residence in the United States.
Requirements for the E1
- Visa To obtain an E-1 visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements: Significant volume of trade: The primary activity should be trade between the United States and the applicant’s country of citizenship. The trade must be continuous and occupy the majority of the applicant’s business activity.
- Citizenship of a treaty country: The applicant must be a citizen of one of the countries that have a trade agreement with the United States.
- Applicant’s role in the trade: The applicant must play a key role in the trading company, typically asa manager or specialist, crucial to the company’s activities.
List of Countries in the U.S. E1 Treaty
The E-1 visa is available to nationals of countries that have trade and navigation treaties with the United States. Each of these countries has a treaty with the U.S. that allows their nationals to apply for an E-1 visa to engage in trade activities.
Examples include, but are not limited to, Japan, Germany, Australia, Taiwan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. A complete list of countries participating in the E-1 program is regularly updated and available on the official website of the U.S. State Department.
Duration of the E-1 Visa
The E-1 visa is typically issued for a period of up to two years. It can be renewed every two years with no limit on the number of renewals as long as the company continues to engage in trade between the U.S. and the treaty country. Each renewal allows the visa holder and their family to legally stay and work in the United States as long as the conditions for the E-1 status are maintained.
Process of Applying for an E1 Visa in/from Outside the U.S.
Applying from Outside the U.S.
- Filling out Form DS-160: The applicant must complete the DS-160 form online, available on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Paying the visa fee: It is necessary to pay the required visa fee before scheduling an interview.
- Scheduling an interview at the consulate: The applicant needs to schedule an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their country.
- Preparing documents: The applicant should prepare and provide all necessary documents that demonstrate compliance with the E-1 visa requirements, including evidence of trade and investments.
- Interview: After the interview, the consular officer will decide whether to issue the visa.
Applying from Within the U.S.
If the applicant is already in the U.S. on another legal status, they can apply to change their status to E-1 through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process includes:
- Filling out Form I-129: The applicant must complete and submit Form I-129 along with the necessary supporting documents.
- Paying USCIS fees: Fees associated with the processing and review of Form I-129 must be paid.
- Waiting for a decision from USCIS: After reviewing the application, USCIS will notify the applicant of its decision.
It is important to ensure that all data in the documents and forms are correctly filled out and that the conditions for filing the application are strictly adhered to.
