E1 Visa Lawyer
According to our Immigration Lawyers, the E1 Visa is available for people who want to carry out international trade involving import/ export with the United States. They must be involved in continuous import/export of good between the US and their country of nationality for them to qualify for this Visa. Another condition is that their country of origin must have signed a trade treaty with the United States. Other E1 Visa requirements include:
- E1 applicants should import/export at least $100,000 USD worth of goods/services a year
- The volume of trade carried out between the United States and the country where the applicant hold’s nationality should be at least 50 percent.
- The citizen of the treaty country must own at least 50% of the trading firm where the E-1 applicant will work must own. The trading firm may be owned by the Visa applicant or by other individuals.
- At least 50% of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the applicant’s home country
- The trade does not just have to be in the form of physical movement of goods, it could also involve non-physical services such as banking, insurance, journalism and technology.
- Applicants must be prepared to present evidence that they intend to return to their home country once their Visa period ends
- If the applicants are not treaty traders themselves, they must be employed in executive or supervisory capacity, or possess specialized skills essential for the successful operation of the firm.
Terms For The E1 Visa
The E1 Visa has two terms that must be met by the trader or employee that gets the Visa. First, the Visa only grant a stay of up to two years, but that can be followed by extensions of up two years. Those extensions are only available if the conditions are met and the extensions do not have a limit. For example a treaty trader may get an automatic 2-year extension upon re-admission. However, an automatic extension will not be granted to the family members of the trader or employee. So, you need to keep track of your length of stay and apply for extensions lawfully at the right time. Secondly, the trader can only work in the activity for which the Visa was issued. They may also work for the parent company of their employer.
See also…H1B Visas
Benefits Of The E1 Visa
There are several benefits that come with the E1 Visa, and they include:
E1 Visa To Green Card
- You get to live in the U.S. legally with your immediate family that include your spouse and your unmarried children that are under the age of 21
- Your children can attend schools in the U.S.A from Pre-K to high school
- You can work legally in the U.S.A and your spouse will be eligible to get a work permit that allows them to work for a U.S. employer
- You and your spouse can apply for US Drivers Licenses
- Your children that are high school graduates do not need a Student Visa to attend universities in the U.S.
- You and your spouse will be able to get a social security number