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The E-1 visa is also known as the Treaty Trader Visa. This particular type of visa allows you to enter the US as a foreign national as long as you qualify as a treaty trader. The visa is limited in scope in that you can enter the US only to undertake trade-related activities.
You can apply for this visa as a qualified business owner, or as an employee. In both cases, you must meet a certain set of requirements to qualify for this visa.
Here is a look at these.
United States offers a number of visa options for foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. for the sake of trade-related activities. Each type of visa offers you different privileges and it’s important to understand exactly which visa type best suits you.
One of the more popular types of visas includes the E1 Visa.
Who is eligible for E-1 visa?
Here are the list of requirements that determine whether or not you are eligible for the E-1 visa.
E-1 Visa Requirements:
You can apply both as an employee or as a business owner.
If you apply as an employee, your employer must be a treaty trader. This means that your employer must be a national of one of the 78 countries with formal trade treaties with the U.S. And that the employer must meet other E-1 requirements as well.
When applying as an employee, you will need to meet the following requirements:
If you are applying for the E-1 visa as a business owner, you must meet the following requirements:
Documents Required for E-1 Visa Application
Before you apply for your E-1 visa, it is important to understand the documents you will need for the application. Having these documents in place before you begin the application process will ensure that you have a smooth visa application process without any unnecessary delays.
Here are the key documents you will need:
The actual visa application processing varies from case to another. It is possible that the consular officer might request you to provide other supporting documents for your visa application. It is important to be able to furnish these documents without any delays.
How to Apply for an E-1 Visa?
Once you have the documents required for your visa application, it is time to begin the application process.
The typical E-1 visa application process looks like this:
Once you have completed these steps, the next stage is to schedule a visa interview. Your interview must take place at a US consulate or embassy. And this consulate or embassy must be located within your country of permanent residence.
You might have to wait a considerable time for your visa interview. This is why it is best to schedule it as soon as possible. It is also advisable that you consult an immigration attorney at this stage to make sure you are able to get a visa interview scheduled at the earliest.
A part of your visa application process is to provide your digital fingerprint scan. You may be asked to provide the scan before, during, or after the interview depending on the discretion of the consular office and your local embassy.
If the consular officer finds you eligible for the visa, you will be asked to pay a visa issuance fee. The amount of this fee, and whether or not you are required to pay it, depends on your country of nationality.
In some cases, the consular officer may need to review your application further following the interview. If this happens, you might be asked to provide more supporting documents or undertake further steps.
E-1 Company Registration and Visa Processing Times
The E-1 Treaty Trader visa allows nationals of certain treaty countries to enter the United States to engage in substantial trade between the U.S. and their home country. The process involves two key steps: company registration and visa application. Below is an overview of the typical processing times and duration for each step.
Before applying for an E-1 visa, the U.S. business entity that will sponsor the visa must be registered and meet the eligibility criteria for E-1 status.
E-1 Visa Application
After the company is registered as an E-1 company, eligible employees or owners can apply for an E-1 visa.
Processing Time:
Total Duration
The total duration from the initial company registration to the receipt of the E-1 visa can range from 3 to 6 months under normal circumstances. This timeline can be shorter or longer depending on various factors such as the completeness of the application, consular processing times, and the ability to expedite certain steps.
Key Considerations
Why Consult an Immigration Attorney for E-1 Visa in the USA?
The E-1 visa application process can seem daunting and difficult. You have to make sure you meet all the requirements, bring together all the necessary documents, and be well prepared for the interview.
A reputable immigration attorney can be immensely helpful along every step of the application process. You can get in touch with a good immigration law firm to get detailed guidance before, during, and after the visa application.
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