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When people think about trade between the United States and other countries, they often picture goods being shipped across borders. But trade does not stop at physical products. Services also count. One of our clients, a public relations firm based overseas, discovered this firsthand when they qualified to apply for an E-1 visa based on the services they were already providing to clients in the U.S.
What Is the E-1 Visa?
The E-1 visa, also known as the Treaty Trader visa, is designed for nationals of countries that have a trade treaty with the U.S. It allows individuals or companies to come to the U.S. if they engage in substantial trade with American partners. That trade can involve goods, services, banking, insurance, tourism, technology, and more.
How Our Client Qualified
Our client operated a PR firm outside the U.S. and had several American companies as clients. They provided marketing, branding, and media strategy services remotely, generating consistent revenue from U.S. clients.
Because their business involved an ongoing and significant exchange of services with the United States, they met the E-1 requirement for “substantial trade.” This opened the door for them to apply for the E-1 visa and expand operations in the U.S.
Why Exporting Services Matters
Many entrepreneurs and companies do not realize that if they are already exporting products or services to U.S. clients, they may already be halfway toward qualifying for an E-1 visa. The key factors immigration officers look for include:
Whether the trade is substantial, meaning a continuous flow of transactions over time.
Whether the majority of the firm’s trade is with the U.S. rather than other countries.
Whether the trade, whether goods or services, is clearly documented and verifiable.
For companies already serving U.S. clients, this can be an exciting opportunity to expand into the American market under the E-1 visa.
Final Thoughts
If your company is already exporting or importing goods or services to or from the U.S., it may be closer to an E-1 visa than you think. The E-1 offers a chance to strengthen your ties to the U.S. market, establish a physical presence, and grow your business internationally.
At Visa Business Plans, we help attorneys evaluate whether their clients’ trade qualifies for the E-1 visa and prepare the business plans needed to support their applications. Our experience with service-based and product-based businesses worldwide allows us to highlight trade patterns in a way that strengthens visa petitions. If you are already doing business with U.S. clients, contact us to learn how we can help you turn that trade into a successful E-1 visa application.
Contact us today to get started
The information provided in this blog is intended solely for informational purposes. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date content, it should not be considered legal advice. Immigration laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual circumstances can vary widely. For personalized guidance and legal advice regarding your specific immigration situation, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney who can provide you with tailored assistance and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
Visa Business Plans is led by Marco Scanu, a certified coach from the University of Miami with a globally-based practice coaching Fortune 1000 company executives, entrepreneurs, as well as professionals in four different continents. Mr. Scanu advises clients on turnaround strategies and crisis management.
Mr. Scanu received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA in Management from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Mr. Scanu was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University under the prestigious H. Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright program) with a focus on Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and high-growth enterprises.
At present, Mr. Scanu is the managing partner and CEO at Visa Business Plans, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm providing attorneys and investors with business planning services in the areas of U.S. and Canadian immigration, SBA loans, and others.
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