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E-1 Treaty Trader Visa – Build a U.S. Trade Presence

If your business conducts substantial trade between your home country and the United States, the E-1 Treaty Trader visa may allow you (and key employees) to live and work in the U.S. to oversee these operations.

At Ortega-Medina & Associates, we’ve helped international entrepreneurs and executives secure E-1 visas for more than 20 years. Based in London, we work with clients around the world to present strong, well-documented E-1 visa applications.

Start with our Confidential Enquiry Form

What Is the E-1 Visa?

The E-1 visa allows nationals of certain treaty countries to enter the United States for the purpose of international trade. It is available to:

  • Business owners directing the trade operations

  • Essential employees of qualifying companies

To qualify, the treaty trader and company must share the same nationality (e.g., both British), and the company must be at least 50% owned by treaty nationals.

What Counts as “Trade”?

To qualify under E-1, trade must be:

  • Substantial: based on volume and frequency of transactions

  • International in scope: U.S. transactions only

  • Primarily with the U.S.: at least 50% of the trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country (calculated over a 12-month rolling period)

Common examples of qualifying trade include:

  • Goods (e.g., import/export of raw materials or products)

  • Services (e.g., international consulting, finance, logistics)

  • Technology transfers, transportation, and even journalism

Key Requirements for the E-1 Visa

To build a successful case, applicants must provide:

  • Proof of qualifying trade (e.g., contracts, invoices, letters of credit)

  • Documentation of trade volume, value, and regularity

  • Evidence of treaty-country ownership and control

  • A clear explanation of how the enterprise will benefit the U.S. economy

IMPORTANT: Unlike the E-2 visa, you do NOT need a physical office in the U.S. to qualify for E-1 status.

Visa Duration & Renewal

  • Visa duration depends on reciprocity agreements with each treaty country

  • UK nationals often receive 5-year visas

  • Renewals are indefinitely available, as long as the trade continues and the treaty remains in effect

All applicants must now attend a personal interview at a U.S. consulate. Senior officers typically review these complex applications.

Can You Apply for an E-1 Visa?

We work with:

  • Small business owners managing U.S. trade

  • Executives and specialists transferred to support trade operations

  • Companies expanding into U.S. markets from abroad

If your company is based in a treaty country and conducts frequent trade with the U.S., we can help determine if the E-1 is right for you.

Why Choose Ortega-Medina & Associates?

  • 20+ years of experience in treaty-based U.S. visas

  • Offices in London, serving global clients

  • We assess eligibility, prepare your full application, and guide you through the interview

  • If your case isn’t strong, we’ll tell you up front — no fluff

Contact us in all confidence to get stated.