E-1 Visa Business Plan

For Entrepreneurs and Companies Engaged in International Trade with the United States

A business plan is the backbone of every E-1 visa application for traders seeking to conduct substantial international trade between their home country and the United States. It serves as the primary document that allows U.S. immigration officers to assess the legitimacy and scope of the trading activity.

A well-prepared E-1 visa business plan provides detailed information about the type of trade, the frequency and value of transactions, and the applicant’s role in managing or directing the business. This document is often decisive in the approval process, as it demonstrates that the company maintains continuous and significant trade with the United States.

Because of its importance, it is essential to work with a team familiar with USCIS and consular review standards. At VisaBP, we have developed hundreds of E-1 business plans for companies and entrepreneurs involved in international commerce. Our experience ensures that each plan meets immigration requirements and effectively supports the visa petition.

What Is an E-1 Visa?

The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa allows nationals of certain treaty countries to enter the United States to carry on substantial trade between their home country and the U.S. The trade may include goods, services, international banking, insurance, technology exchange, or transportation.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the applicant must be a citizen of a country that maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States and must demonstrate that the trade is both continuous and significant.

This visa is designed for business owners, executives, and key employees whose primary role involves managing or directing trade between the two countries. It also allows qualifying employees of the same nationality as the principal trader to apply under the same category.

The E-1 visa is a non-immigrant classification, meaning it does not directly lead to permanent residence. However, it can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate and maintain qualifying trade levels. The visa also permits the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of the principal applicant to accompany them to the United States. Spouses may apply for work authorization once in the country.

Substantial Trade Requirement

One of the key eligibility factors for the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa is the requirement of substantial trade between the treaty country and the United States.
“Substantial” does not refer to a specific dollar amount but rather to the volume, frequency, and continuity of transactions that demonstrate a real and ongoing flow of commerce.

To meet this requirement, the applicant must show that:

A continuous exchange of goods or services already exists between the two countries.
The value of trade is sufficient to ensure a meaningful economic impact on the U.S. business.
The trade is principally between the United States and the treaty country, representing more than 50% of total international trade conducted by the business.

Trade may include the import or export of physical goods, as well as the exchange of services, insurance, banking, tourism, technology, and transportation. What matters most is that the transactions are frequent, documented, and significant enough to reflect sustained business activity rather than occasional or minimal exchanges.

A professional E-1 business plan must clearly illustrate these trade flows through invoices, contracts, purchase orders, or letters of intent.

Types of Trade That Qualify Under the E-1 Visa

The E-1 visa covers a wide range of international trade activities, not limited to the exchange of physical goods.
The key requirement is that the trade must involve a continuous flow of transactions between the United States and the treaty country, generating measurable economic value for both sides.

Examples of qualifying trade include:

Goods and Merchandise: Importing or exporting products such as machinery, clothing, food, raw materials, or manufactured items.
Services: Providing cross-border professional, consulting, legal, financial, or technical services.
Banking and Finance: Engaging in international transactions or fund transfers between the treaty country and the United States.
Insurance: Managing insurance policies or claims that involve U.S. and foreign clients.
Transportation and Logistics: Operating shipping, freight forwarding, or air cargo businesses between both countries.
Technology and Information Exchange: Licensing software, IT solutions, or other intellectual property for use across borders.
Tourism and Hospitality: Conducting travel-related operations such as international tour coordination or hotel management.

Each E-1 case is unique, and USCIS focuses on whether the trade is substantial, continuous, and primarily between the two treaty countries.

List of Treaty Countries

Only citizens of countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States are eligible to apply for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa.
Each treaty country has its own validity period, which defines how long the visa remains valid and how often it can be renewed for travel and trade purposes.

Below is a list of some of the most common E-1 treaty countries whose nationals can apply for this visa:

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
France
Germany
Greece
Honduras
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea (South)
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Pakistan
Philippines
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom

In addition to the countries listed above, there are many others that also maintain treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States.
To confirm whether your country qualifies, consult the U.S. Department of State’s official treaty list, which is regularly updated.

Purpose of the E-1 Business Plan

The E-1 business plan is the core document that supports a treaty trader visa application. It provides U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consular officers with a clear view of the company’s trade activity, structure, and long-term strategy.

This plan explains how the business conducts international trade between the treaty country and the United States, showing that the activity is real, ongoing, and substantial. It also outlines the applicant’s role in directing and managing those operations.

A strong E-1 visa business plan will include:

The nature of the trade (goods, services, or both).
The volume, frequency, and value of transactions.
The percentage of total trade conducted with the United States.
The organizational structure and the applicant’s position.
The projected growth of trade and employment in the U.S.

This document allows officers to confirm that the business meets E-1 visa requirements, operates within a legitimate framework, and contributes to the U.S. economy through trade relationships and job creation.

Difference Between a Regular and an Immigration Business Plan

Although a regular business plan and an immigration business plan may appear similar, their objectives and audiences are very different.

A regular business plan is typically created for investors, lenders, or internal company use.
Its main goal is to attract funding, guide business operations, and demonstrate profitability.
It often emphasizes financial return, market opportunities, and competitive advantages.

An immigration business plan, however, is prepared specifically for U.S. immigration authorities, such as USCIS or consular officers.
Its purpose is not to sell a business idea but to prove that the enterprise meets the legal requirements of the E-1 visa.

For an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa, the business plan must demonstrate that:

The company conducts substantial and continuous trade with the United States.
At least 50% of its international trade is between the treaty country and the U.S.
The applicant is directing and developing that trade.
The business contributes to the U.S. economy through operations and employment.

Unlike a standard plan, an immigration business plan must be evidentiary and compliant with USCIS review standards. It includes supporting documentation such as invoices, trade contracts, shipping records, and financial projections that validate every claim.

Job Creation and Economic Impact

While the E-1 visa is primarily based on international trade, U.S. immigration authorities also evaluate how the business contributes to the U.S. economy.
This includes not only direct employment but also the indirect economic benefits generated through trade operations.

A well-prepared E-1 business plan should show that the company’s activities will lead to job creation and local economic engagement.
Examples include hiring U.S. workers for logistics, accounting, marketing, or customer service, as well as contracting with American suppliers and service providers.

Beyond direct employment, economic impact can be demonstrated through:

The import and export of goods or services that stimulate local industries.
Purchases from U.S. vendors, including shipping, warehousing, or professional services.
Partnerships or collaborations with U.S. companies.
Tax revenue generated through ongoing business operations.

USCIS reviews these elements to confirm that the business goes beyond minimal activity and plays an active role in the U.S. trade ecosystem.

Other Visa Alternatives

If you or your company do not qualify for the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa due to nationality or trade requirements, there are several other visa options that may fit your goals.
Some of these alternatives provide temporary status, while others can lead to permanent residence in the United States.

Two of the most common options include:

E-2 Investor Visa: Designed for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.
This option is ideal if your operations involve establishing or purchasing a company rather than primarily trading goods or services.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa: Suitable for executives, managers, or professionals with specialized knowledge who wish to transfer from a foreign company to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
This visa allows multinational companies to expand their presence in the United States and may eventually lead to permanent residence.

For those seeking direct pathways to a Green Card, options such as the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) and the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program may be considered, depending on the scale and structure of the business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a business plan required for the E-1 visa?

Yes. A business plan is one of the key documents required for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa application.
It helps USCIS and consular officers evaluate whether the business conducts substantial trade and maintains a real, ongoing commercial relationship between the treaty country and the United States.

What should an E-1 business plan include?

An effective E-1 visa business plan must clearly explain the nature of trade, the volume and frequency of transactions, and the organizational structure of the business.
It should also include financial projections, trade documentation, and a description of the applicant’s management role in the U.S. operation.

How much trade is considered “substantial”?

There is no fixed minimum amount, but the trade must be continuous, significant, and well-documented.
The key is to show that the flow of goods or services between the treaty country and the United States is regular and large enough to support the business and contribute to the U.S. economy.

What types of trade qualify for the E-1 visa?

Trade may include goods, services, banking, technology, insurance, tourism, or transportation.
The business must show that at least 50% of its total international trade occurs between the United States and the treaty country.

Can service-based companies qualify for the E-1 visa?

Yes. The E-1 visa covers not only the exchange of physical goods but also intangible services, such as consulting, finance, design, or software licensing, as long as these services represent ongoing and verifiable trade between both countries.

Can the E-1 visa be renewed?

Yes. The E-1 visa can be renewed indefinitely as long as the company continues to engage in substantial trade with the United States and meets all treaty requirements.
Many applicants renew their status every few years by providing updated financial statements and trade documentation.

Can my family accompany me under the E-1 visa?

Yes. The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of the principal applicant can obtain E-1 dependent visas.
Spouses are eligible to apply for work authorization once in the United States.

Why should I choose VisaBP for my E-1 business plan?

Since 2003, VisaBP has specialized in preparing immigration business plans for E-1, E-2, L-1, and other employment-based visa categories.
Our plans are written in compliance with USCIS and consular standards, using verified data and structured formatting that makes them ready for submission with your attorney’s petition.

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