Foreign nationalswith money to invest into a new or existing U.S. businessor who are seeking entry into the U.S. for the purpose of carrying on substantial trade in goods, services or technology between their home country and the U.S. may qualify for an E Treaty visa. Small, family owned or even large businesses may qualify for E status.
E-1 VISA Treaty Trader:
To qualify for E1 status,
The applicant must be a national of a treaty country;
(To see if you are from a country with a qualifying treaty,click here.)
The trading company for which the applicant is coming to the U. S. must have the nationality of the treaty country;
The international trade must be "substantial" in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade;
The trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country, (more than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the country of the applicant's nationality);
NOTE: Here, trade means the global exchange of goods, services, and technology on an international basis.
Title of the trade items must pass from one party to the other; and
The applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm.
Each applicant for the visa must pay a nonrefundable US$100 application fee and submit:
An application Form DS-156E , completed and signed. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices.
A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person must complete an application.
One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements.
All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a form DS-157 in addition to the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156E).
Evidence that the applicant meets the requirements for E visa status.
As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants vary from country to country. Early application is strongly suggested.
