E-1 Green Card

The E-1 visa is for nationals of treaty countries who engage in substantial international trade between their home country and the United States. It allows traders and certain employees to live and work in the U.S. to carry out this trade.

Who is the Visa for?

Examples include business owners and executives whose companies regularly trade goods, services, or technology between the U.S. and their treaty country, and essential employees of such enterprises.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a national of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S.

  • The trading firm must have the nationality of the treaty country (at least 50% owned by treaty nationals).

  • Trade must be substantial (frequent, sizeable flow of international trade items).

  • The majority (more than 50%) of trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country.

  • The applicant must be coming to the U.S. to engage in executive/supervisory duties or in a role requiring highly specialized skills.

Visa Duration:

  • Initial stay: up to 2 years (consular issuances may allow longer visa validity based on reciprocity schedules).

  • Extensions: in 2-year increments, renewable indefinitely as long as requirements are maintained.

Processing Time:

  • Consular Processing: Times vary by U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

  • Change of Status (Form I-129, E classification): Typically several months.

  • Premium Processing: Available, with a 15 business day response time.

OpenSphere Services:

  • Trade activity assessment & business strategy guidance

  • Petition drafting & evidence compilation

  • RFE response support

  • End-to-end legal guidance