Strengthening Trade and Economic Relations
Non-citizen immigrants interested in maintaining trade with the United States can operate within the country under an E-1 visa. At the Falls Church, Virginia Yacub Law Offices, our immigration attorneys guide clients through the processes involved in obtaining and maintaining an E-1 visa. While we represent clients throughout the Washington DC metro area, including Alexandria, Manassas, Woodbridge, Bethesda, Frederick, and Silver Spring, our clients include individuals and businesses across the United States. Contact our immigration lawyers today to learn more about E-1 visas.
E-1 Visas: Facilitating Trade
The "treaty trader visa," or E-1 visa, permits immigrants from treaty countries to engage in commerce with the United States. The visa covers ventures involving "substantial trade" between a treaty country and the United States. Of course, the treaty trader is allowed to trade with other nations other than the United States, but the majority of trade must be between the United States and the treaty country. Similar to the E-2 visa, the E-1 visa requires the immigrant to belong to a country that has a commerce treaty with the United States.
Substantial Trade Requirement
Under the E-1 visa program, the treaty trader must engage in substantial trade with the United States. Although there is no strict definition as to what constitutes "substantial trade," it is generally understood to refer to continuous and systematic trade between the United States and a treaty nation. In short, quantity is not as important as frequency.
So, an immigrant interested in engaging in a one-time trade transaction - no matter the quantity involved - will not be granted an E-1 visa. Since the trade is not continuous or systematic, it falls outside the parameters of the E-1 visa. On the other hand, an immigrant who engages in frequent trade, albeit in a smaller amount, will generally be granted an E-1 visa.
Treaty Countries
E-1 visas cover trade between the United States and various treaty countries. As required by the E-1 visa, at least fifty percent of any treaty nation's trade must be between it and the United States.
Goods and services are covered under the terms of the E-1 visa. Countries covered under the E-1 visa include the following nations:
Treaty Countries
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia Herzegovina
- Canada
- China (Taiwan)
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Korea
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Yugoslavia
Contact Yacub Law Offices Today
Understanding the scope and terms of the E-1 visa program can be confusing. In order to avoid penalties or complications, contact the immigration lawyers of Yacub Law Offices today. Our attorneys represent clients in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and throughout the United States. If your business schedule does not permit you to meet with us during regular office hours, please let us know. We will be happy to arrange an appointment at a more convenient time for you.
