E1 Visa Update 2018
| Professional Services Information
| E1 visas can now be considered by international businesses engaged in professional services that are seeking to expand their markets by building presence in the U.S.
Unlike the E2 visa, the E1 Visa does not require an investment to obtain visa approval. This article focuses on providing tips to Professional Services enterprises seeking an E1 visa.
Click to scroll down to E1 Visa Information, below.
Tips for Professional Services Enterprises Seeking an E1 Visa
Tip #1: The owner, an executive or supervisor, or an essential employee of the foreign enterprise can seek the E1 visa. Thus, one enterprise can generate multiple E1 visas.
Tip #2: Provide a business plan to show that moving to the U.S. will help expand business opportunities with existing U.S. based customers.
Tip #3: Provide evidence to show that the service is being generated or performed in the foreign country but sold to U.S. customers. With the consent of the customer, provide copies of contracts or agreements that reflect the scope of work and the site of performance for customer projects.
Tip #4: Provide evidence that the foreign enterprise conducts over 50% of its international trade with the U.S. To show this, the applicant may present a letter from a certified public accountant detailing the percentages of international trade with the U.S. in relation to the total trade.
Tip #5: Provide evidence that the foreign enterprise is actively promoting its services to U.S. based customers. Examples of such evidence include: attendance at trade shows; a website offering services to U.S. customers; and other promotional campaigns in the U.S. In addition, the applicant may present reference letters from satisfied corporate customers indicating that future orders are projected.
Tip #6: Provide evidence of completed projects and payment for services.
Tip #7: Professional services companies in accounting, advertising, marketing, public relations, design, engineering, and management consulting are some examples of eligible services. However, an applicant can make a case for any professional service.
E1 Visa Tips – Summary
Foreign businesses engaged in professional services can organize and present any evidence that supports that they are engaging in international trade.
The evidence presented must show that over 50% of their international trade is with the U.S.
Professional services companies in accounting, advertising, marketing, public relations, design, engineering, and management consulting are some examples of eligible E1 Visa business services.
VERDIN E1 Visa Business Solutions
VERDIN’s business and investor group provides help to clients wanting to establish and/or expand their business operations in the United States. We have helped clients in multiple industries to include: international trade, real estate, restaurants and hospitality, technology, beauty and fashion, retail and services.
VERDIN represents clients in business planning and E visa matters involving real estate ventures, technology start-ups, business acquisitions, or new business formations. See E2 Investment Visa Potential Booming in Frisco TX Area.
Our team is especially focused on forming a strategic relationship with our clients to aid them to succeed in the early planning stages. Many of our clients retain us at early stage planning to maximize opportunities for success.
E1 Visa, E2 Visa or Immigration Questions? Please Contact VERDIN Law

Isaul Verdin has extensive experience advising multinational companies and entrepreneurs on complex US immigration matters involving investments.
Mr. Verdin focuses on advising companies on structuring entities, acquisitions, and strategic expansion to satisfy US immigration E-1, E2, L1A, L1B, or EB-1 objectives in a variety of fields; including real estate, aviation, technology, manufacturing, retail, luxury goods, and professional services. Additionally, he litigates deportation defense matters throughout the US.
VERDIN boasts a combined 70 years of experience in immigration law. Since its inception, VERDIN has gained a reputation for prevailing in even the most complicated immigration matters.
“As a Board Certified, Immigration Lawyer (Texas Board of Legal Specialization) with over 17 years of experience, my passion is immigration law. We will listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and expertly guide you through your immigration process.” ~ Isaul Verdin, Founder and Managing Attorney
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Main Number: (214) 741-1700
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What is an E1 Visa?
From USCIS, E-1 Treaty Traders
The E-1 non-immigrant classification allows a national of a treaty country (a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation) to be admitted to the United States solely to engage in international trade on his or her own behalf.
Certain employees of such a person or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for this classification. (For dependent family members, see “Family of E-1 Treaty Traders and Employees” below.)
See U.S. Department of State’s Treaty Countries for a current list of countries with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation.
General Qualifications of a Treaty Trader
To qualify for E-1 classification, the treaty trader must:
- Be a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation
- Carry on substantial trade
- Carry on principal trade between the United States and the treaty country which qualified the treaty trader for E-1 classification.
Trade is the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country. Items of trade include but are not limited to:
- Goods
- Services
- International banking
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Tourism
- Technology and its transfer
- Some news-gathering activities.
Substantial trade generally refers to the continuous flow of sizable international trade items, involving numerous transactions over time. There is no minimum requirement regarding the monetary value or volume of each transaction. While monetary value of transactions is an important factor in considering substantiality, greater weight is given to more numerous exchanges of greater value. See 8 CFR 214.2(e)(10) for further details.
Principal trade between the United States and the treaty country exists when over 50% of the total volume of international trade is between the U.S. and the trader’s treaty country. See 8 CFR 214.2(e)(11).
E Visa Questions? Contact VERDIN
VERDIN business hours are from 8-5PM Monday through Friday.
Main Number: (214) 741-1700
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