United States•North America

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E-1 — Treaty Trader

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-84 days

Application Fee

315 USD

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

For nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and their home country.

The E-1 is a US nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries to conduct substantial bilateral trade. Trade must be in goods, services, or technology, with over 50% flowing between the US and the treaty country. Employees require a supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role.

Admission is for 2 years, extendable in 2-year increments indefinitely while qualifying trade continues. No job offer is required for the principal trader; the visa offers no PR pathway and dual intent is not permitted. Spouses are admitted as E-1S dependents and are employment authorized incident to status.

This visa is ideal for traders, executives, and essential employees from treaty countries running or working for businesses with a documented, ongoing US bilateral trade flow.

Fee Breakdown

MRV application fee	315 USD
Visa issuance fee	—

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Eligible Nationalities (56)

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bolivia

Bosnia & Herzegovina Brunei

Brunei

Canada

Chile

Taiwan

Colombia

Costa Rica Croatia

Croatia

Denmark

Estonia

Ethiopia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Honduras

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-1 — Employment First Preference — Priority Worker

United States

EB-1 — Employment First Preference — Priority Worker

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1-3 years

View Visa Details

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference — Advanced Degree

United States

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference — Advanced Degree

ValidityIndefinite

Processing547-3650 days

View Visa Details

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference — Skilled Worker/Professional

United States

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference — Skilled Worker/Professional

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1277-4380 days

View Visa Details

E5 — Employment Fifth Preference — Immigrant Investor

United States

E5 — Employment Fifth Preference — Immigrant Investor

ValidityIndefinite

Processing345-1095 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country with a qualifying trade treaty with the U.S.

Trading enterprise must be 50%+ owned by nationals of the treaty country

Substantial trade between the U.S. and the treaty country (majority of trade must be U.S.–treaty country)

Trade must be in goods, services, or technology

Must hold a supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role (if not the principal trader)

Must intend to depart the U.S. when visa status expires

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form DS-160 confirmation page

Completed Form DS-156E (Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application)

Valid passport

Passport-style photo

Proof of treaty country nationality

Evidence of substantial trade — invoices, contracts, shipping records, etc.

Proof that 50%+ of the trading enterprise is owned by treaty country nationals

Documentation of supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role

Application fee payment receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Multiple-entry visa allowing repeated travel to the U.S.
Extendable in 2-year increments with no statutory maximum
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may receive dependent E visas
Dependent spouses are eligible to apply for employment authorization (EAD)
Covers trade in goods, services, and technology

Worth Knowing

Non-immigrant visa — must demonstrate intent to depart when status expires; no dual intent
Only nationals of countries with a U.S. trade treaty are eligible
More than 50% of all trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country
Visa becomes void if the holder overstays without an approved extension
Visa does not guarantee entry; CBP/DHS makes final admission decisions at the port of entry
Visa issuance fee varies by nationality (based on reciprocity)
De facto relationships are not recognized for dependent visa purposes

Application Process

Complete Form DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application

Upload photo

Pay $315 non-refundable MRV application fee

Schedule and attend consular interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Submit required documents including Form DS-156E

Undergo administrative processing if required

Pay visa issuance fee (varies by nationality) upon approval

Application Forms

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
DS-156E Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application	Fill online

Verified Claims (37)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Complete Form DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application; Upload photo; Pay $315 non-refundable MRV…	travel.state.gov
Blockers	—	travel.state.gov
Can Convert To	us-eb-1; us-eb-2; us-eb-3; us-eb-5	travel.state.gov
Categories	work; entrepreneur	travel.state.gov
Code	us-e-1	travel.state.gov
Criminal Policy	Case-by-case	travel.state.gov
Dependent Visa	E-1 Dependent (work authorized)	uscis.gov
Dual Intent	false	uscis.gov

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Overview

For nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and their home country.

This visa is ideal for traders, executives, and essential employees from treaty countries running or working for businesses with a documented, ongoing US bilateral trade flow.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country with a qualifying trade treaty with the U.S.

Trading enterprise must be 50%+ owned by nationals of the treaty country

Substantial trade between the U.S. and the treaty country (majority of trade must be U.S.–treaty country)

Trade must be in goods, services, or technology

Must hold a supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role (if not the principal trader)

Must intend to depart the U.S. when visa status expires

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form DS-160 confirmation page

Completed Form DS-156E (Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application)

Valid passport

Passport-style photo

Proof of treaty country nationality

Evidence of substantial trade — invoices, contracts, shipping records, etc.

Proof that 50%+ of the trading enterprise is owned by treaty country nationals

Documentation of supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role

Application fee payment receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Multiple-entry visa allowing repeated travel to the U.S.
Extendable in 2-year increments with no statutory maximum
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may receive dependent E visas
Dependent spouses are eligible to apply for employment authorization (EAD)
Covers trade in goods, services, and technology

Worth Knowing

Non-immigrant visa — must demonstrate intent to depart when status expires; no dual intent
Only nationals of countries with a U.S. trade treaty are eligible
More than 50% of all trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country
Visa becomes void if the holder overstays without an approved extension
Visa does not guarantee entry; CBP/DHS makes final admission decisions at the port of entry
Visa issuance fee varies by nationality (based on reciprocity)
De facto relationships are not recognized for dependent visa purposes

Application Process