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Treaty Trader/Investor E-1/E-2
 

Treaty Trader (E1) Visas

Section 101(a)(15)(E) provides nonimmigrant status for a national of any of the countries with which an appropriate treaty of commerce and navigation exists, who is coming to the United States to carry on substantial trade, principally between the United States and his/her own country. The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, which entered into force on October 13, 1954, provides this authority for Greek nationals. Requirements for treaty traders include:

  1. The applicant must be a national of a treaty country;
  2. The trading firm in the United States has the nationality of the treaty country;
  3. The international trade be "substantial" in the sense that there is a sizable volume of trade;
  4. The trade be principally between the United States and his/her own country, which is defined to mean that more than 50 percent of the trade involved must be between the United States and the country of the applicant's nationality; and
  5. The visa applicant be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity or, if his/her functions are more minor, he/she has some special qualifications which make his/her services essential to the efficient operation of the firm. Persons employed in an unskilled manual capacity are not entitled to classification as treaty traders.

The term "trade" is defined to include not only commercial exchange but also international banking, insurance (generally maritime insurance), transportation, communications, news gathering enterprises, and ticket sales by travel agencies, but does not include advertising or facilitation of trade.

The word "substantial" when used with regard to investment has a relative connotation vis-a-vis the type of operation and is not an absolute term. The intent of the provision is to permit the entry of aliens who have substantial capital to invest in bona fide enterprises, as distinguished from the investment of a relatively small amount of capital in a marginal enterprise for the sole purpose of earning a livelihood.
Please note that the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between the United States and Greece provides for the issuance of treaty trader visas (E-1) only; Greek citizens are not eligible for treaty investor visas (E-2).

Applicants who wish to apply for treaty trader’s visa must come in person to the U.S. Embassy.  To schedule an appointment, please click here

Documents required for E-1 visa are:

  1. 1. A valid passport that has been signed by the applicant and, where applicable,
    • Previous passport with previously issued visa or
    • Police report in case of theft or loss of a previous passport with valid visa.  The report may be issued by a local police station or consular office or other foreign authority.
    • If you have ever been arrested and /or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States, you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application.
  2. The paid duplicate receipt from Piraeus Bank (see step 3).
  3. The printed confirmation page with barcode generated by the DS-160 online application form (see step 4).
  4. One photograph that meets the required specifications (see step 5). Even if you have successfully uploaded the photo to the DS-160 please bring one with you on the day of your appointment.
  5. The package of documents prepared by your U.S. lawyer.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.