Prove substantial, continuous trade with your treaty country — with the volume evidence consular officers ask for.
E-1 treaty trader business plan documenting substantial and continuous trade between the United States and the treaty country, with more than 50% of that trade flowing between the two nations.
Treaty-country nationals running import/export or trading businesses
Service exporters billing U.S. clients from a treaty country
Companies applying for E-1 employee visas for managers or essential staff
Immigration attorneys preparing DS-160/DS-156E filings or I-129 petitions
The applicant and the company must hold the nationality of a treaty trade country
Trade must be substantial — significant, continuous, and numerous transactions
More than 50% of the total international trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country
The applicant must be an executive, supervisor, or essential-skills employee
Documents substantial and continuous trade volume item by item
Demonstrates the more-than-50% principal trade requirement
Establishes nationality of ownership under the treaty