he E-1 Treaty Trader visa is a nonimmigrant visa for business owners and key employees from countries that have a commerce treaty with the United States. It allows foreign entrepreneurs to live and work in the U.S. for the purpose of carrying on substantial international trade between the U.S. and their home country.
In simple terms, the E-1 is designed for individuals or companies that do significant trade in goods or services with the U.S., such as import/export firms, distributors, or service providers. Who is it for? Primarily business owners, investors, or certain employees (executives, managers, specialists) from treaty countries who are engaged in continuous trade with the U.S. . This visa is not for domestic-only businesses—it specifically targets international traders.
The enterprise (or individual) should already be engaged in substantial trade between the treaty country and the U.S. “Substantial” means a continuous flow of numerous trade transactions over time—not just a single big deal.
Over 50% of the international trade of the business must be between the U.S. and the treaty country. In other words, the U.S. should be your main trading partner. This ensures the visa is used for U.S.-focused trade.
If the visa holder is an employee (not the owner), they must hold a key role: either an executive/supervisory position or a role requiring essential skills. For example, a sales director overseeing the U.S.
As with all E visas, the applicant must intend to leave the U.S. once their E-1 status ends (this is a formal requirement, since E-1 is not a green card).
The process typically begins with Sineva’s sales team evaluating the client’s eligibility. Confirm the client’s nationality (must be a treaty country) and trade history. If E-1 seems viable, Sineva will onboard the client for E-1 service.
Sineva’s legal and support team will guide the client in collecting required documents. This includes evidence of trade activities (past purchase orders, shipping records, client invoices), company ownership documents, financials and an outline of the applicant’s role.
If the client is establishing a U.S. entity to facilitate trade, our business concierge can help set up the U.S. company (e.g. incorporation, bank accounts). Often, E-1 applicants already have a business abroad and may open a U.S. branch or subsidiary to manage U.S. trade. Sineva can advise on the best structure.
Unlike some visas, E-1 is often applied directly at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad (through the Department of State) rather than via USCIS (if the client is abroad).
After submitting the application and paying the visa fee, the client will attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. We (Sineva’s team) thoroughly prep the client for the interview, including typical questions about the nature of their trade, their business plans, and their ties to the treaty country.
If approved, the E-1 visa is placed in the client’s passport. Visa validity can vary by country (often 1-5 years and renewable) based on reciprocity agreements. Upon issuance, Sineva’s concierge assists with travel arrangements.
The client (now an E-1 treaty trader) can enter the U.S. and will typically be admitted for an initial stay of up to 2 years at a time. Sineva’s post-arrival services can help with logistics like housing or office setup as needed (see “Sineva’s Role” below).
Our internal preparation process—which includes consultation, document collection and drafting—depends largely on how quickly the client provides the necessary information. On average, preparing a complete and well-documented application can take a few weeks.
Once the petition is submitted, the wait time for an interview varies based on the specific consulate and the time of year. Some consulates may offer relatively quick appointments, while others could experience longer delays depending on demand and backlog.
Decisions are often made at the time of the interview or shortly thereafter. Once approved, the visa is typically issued and the passport returned within a reasonable timeframe, depending on the consulate’s internal processing capacity.
While uncommon in consular cases—since the full application is presented in advance—RFEs may occur more frequently in change of status cases filed with USCIS. If issued, an RFE can introduce additional processing time. Our goal is to reduce this risk through thorough and strategic preparation.
For clients renewing from within the United States, processing times for status extensions through USCIS can vary. Average timelines tend to span several months under standard processing, depending on USCIS workload and service center.
I recommend their full relocation package for anyone serious about moving to the U.S.
I had zero experience in U. SI startups, but They guided me from day one.
Gracias a su asesoría mi familia y yo pudimos a emigrar con tranquilidad y confianza
Gracias a su asesoría nuestra familia pudo emigrar con tranquilidad y confianza
We outline actionable steps to scale your business effectively, including marketing, operational milestones, and customer acquisition strategies.
We work with you to develop a funding structure that supports your specific objectives, whether it’s launching a new product, expanding your market, or increasing production capacity.
At Grupo Sineva, we provide comprehensive support to simplify the Business Immigration process, ensuring your business meets all requirements and submits a strong application.
We don’t just manage your visa; we build the path to a life without borders with you.
Copyright © All Right Reserved. | Grupo Sineva 2025
