E-1 Visa for Treaty Traders Explained
The E-1 visa lets a national of a treaty country carry on substantial international trade with the United States. What substantial and principal trade mean, and stay rules.
Page reviewed October 17, 2026.
What it is
The E-1 lets a national of a treaty country be admitted to carry on substantial international trade, principally between the United States and that treaty country.
Trade is the existing exchange of goods, services, banking, insurance, transportation, tourism or technology for consideration. Substantial means a continuous flow of numerous transactions, and principal means over 50% of the trader's international trade is with the treaty country.
- Requirement
- Substantial tradePrincipally between the U.S. and your treaty country.
- Initial stay
- 2 yearsExtensions in 2-year increments, with no limit.
- Nationality
- Treaty countryA qualifying treaty with the United States.
- Family
- Same statusSpouses in E status can work.
What counts as trade
Trade is the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country. Items include goods, services, international banking, insurance, transportation, tourism, technology and its transfer, and some news-gathering activities.
Substantial trade
Substantial trade generally means an amount sufficient to ensure a continuous flow of trade items between the United States and the treaty country. It contemplates numerous transactions over time, and a single transaction, however large, is not enough. There is no minimum value for each transaction, but greater weight goes to more numerous exchanges of greater value.
Principal trade
Principal trade between the United States and the treaty country exists when over 50% of the volume of the treaty trader's international trade is between the United States and the treaty country of the trader's nationality.
Employees of a treaty trader
Employees with the same nationality as the principal employer can qualify if they work in an executive or supervisory capacity, or have special qualifications that make their services essential.
Stay and family
- Initial stay of up to two years, with extensions of up to two years each and no limit on how many.
- A readmitted traveler can generally receive an automatic two-year period.
- Spouses and children can receive E-1 classification, and spouses are employment authorized incident to status.
Pricing
E-1 and E-2 pricing
$10,000
flat fee, any visa
What the fee includes
- Eligibility strategy mapped to the requirements of your visa
- Support, expert and reference letters drafted and coordinated for you
- The full legal brief and every exhibit, prepared and filed
- RFE responses included at no additional cost
- Real-time updates in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese
- One team from first call to approval. No handoffs.
- If USCIS denies a petition Lando filed, Lando refunds its fee. Terms apply.
USCIS government filing fees are separate and paid directly to USCIS.
Why Lando
How Lando compares
A plain comparison with the way immigration petitions are commonly handled. Terms vary by firm, so check any provider's terms before you hire.
Price
Lando$10,000 flat fee per visa, published on the visa pages.
Commonly elsewhereOften billed hourly or by stage, so the total can change as the case grows.
Request for Evidence
LandoResponses are included at no extra cost.
Commonly elsewhereSometimes charged separately. Ask before you hire.
If USCIS denies
LandoLando refunds its fee for a petition it filed. Terms apply.
Commonly elsewhereNot always offered. Ask what is refunded.
Retainer
LandoNo retainer to begin, and no surprise invoices later.
Commonly elsewhereA retainer paid up front is common.
Who does the work
LandoOne team from first call to decision. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.
Commonly elsewhereVaries. Ask who will work on your file.
Languages
LandoCase updates in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Commonly elsewhereVaries by firm.
Legal advice
LandoLando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Commonly elsewhereA law firm can give you legal advice and represent you directly.
General comparison, not a statement about any named firm. USCIS fees are separate and are paid directly to USCIS. No one can promise a USCIS decision.
How it works
From first call to filed petition
1. Evaluation
You get an honest answer.
We review your situation on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether the visa fits and what would make the case stronger. No retainer. No commitment.
2. Strategy
You know exactly what your case looks like.
We map which company documents and evidence prove each requirement, and what is still missing. You see the full picture before we file anything.
3. Preparation
Your petition is built without you lifting a finger.
Our team drafts the support letters and the legal brief, curates every exhibit, and reviews the full petition before it leaves our hands. You approve. We file.
4. Filing
Filed. You get on with your life.
Your petition is filed at USCIS and we manage every communication from there. We handle any RFE at no extra charge.
Common questions
What is the E-1 visa?
A nonimmigrant classification for nationals of treaty countries who carry on substantial international trade principally between the United States and their treaty country.
What does principal trade mean?
Over 50% of the volume of the trader's international trade is between the United States and the treaty country of the trader's nationality.
Does a single large deal qualify as substantial trade?
No. Substantial trade needs a continuous flow of numerous transactions over time. A single transaction does not establish treaty trader status, however valuable.
How long does the E-1 last?
An initial stay of up to two years, with extensions of up to two years each and no limit on the number of extensions.
Does the E-1 require an intention to leave?
Yes. E-1 holders must maintain an intention to depart when the status ends.
Is Lando a law firm?
No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources
Checked October 2026.
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.