Immigration Lawyer in Cleveland

E-1 & E-2 Visas: Trade with Treaty Countries

The United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation with a number of countries from around the world. These agreements serve to facilitate trade and economic exchange across national borders for the mutual benefit of both countries. Our government supplies the E-1 and E-2 visas to accommodate individuals who plan travel from such countries with the goal of engaging in trade or making certain types of investments in the U.S. There are dozens of countries on the list of treaty countries, and many people are eligible for both the E-1 and E-2 visas.

About the Treaty Trader Visa

To qualify for the E-1 treaty trader visa, you must be a citizen of a treaty country and work for trading firm from the same or another treaty country. You will have to demonstrate that the trade that you are planning to conduct will be "substantial," which is characterized by being of a sizeable and continuing volume. At least half of the proposed trade must be conducted between the treaty country and the United States and it must be trade of goods, services, or technology. Your position in the company must be of a supervisory or executive nature or one that requires you to contribute highly specialized skills to the operation.

Non-Immigrant Visas for Treaty Investors

The requirements for an E-2 treaty investor visa are similar to those for an E-1 visa but there are some differences. Your proposed investment must be large enough to provide for the successful conduct of the enterprise and must be of a volume that is in proportion to the size of the operation. It is not sufficient to bring funds for speculative investment - you must be planning to make a specific investment in a real enterprise. You must be expecting to receive a substantial return from the investment rather than a minor enterprise to support only you and your family. The funds must be your own, as borrowed capital in the form of a secured loan is not eligible for this type of investment. The E-2 visa is for principal investors, not for ordinary workers. To learn more about the E-1 and E-2 visas and take the first steps in your application, contact an Ohio immigration attorney now at Robert Brown LLC for an initial consultation.