# How to Register an E-1 Company?

> E-1 Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to live in the U.S. based on international trade that exists between the U.S. and the Treaty Country.
> URL: https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration-law/investor-visas/e1-visa/how-to-register-an-e-1-company/
> Last modified: 2026-03-09T19:48:32+00:00

[E-1 Visa](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/e-1-trader-visa/) is for foreign nationals who wish to live in the U.S. based on international trade that exists between the U.S. and the Treaty Country. You can either apply for an [E-1 treaty trader visa](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/what-is-an-e-1-treaty-trader-visa-what-are-the-requirements-for-an-e-1-visa-what-are-the-differences-between-an-e-2-and-e-1-visa/) or your can register an E-1 company and apply for an [E-1 employee visa](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/i-want-to-apply-for-an-e-1-employee-visa-what-categories-of-e-1-employees-can-come-to-the-u-s-and-work-for-the-e-1-company/).

        
                            
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                            
                        
                        
                            
                                

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    [I. Applying for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa](#i-applying-for-an-e-1-treaty-trader-visa)
  

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    [II. Registering the E-1 Company](#ii-registering-the-e-1-company)
  

                            
                        
                    
                
            
            
                
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS                                
                                
                                                                    
                            
                            
                                
                                    

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    [I. Applying for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa](#i-applying-for-an-e-1-treaty-trader-visa)
  

  - 
    [II. Registering the E-1 Company](#ii-registering-the-e-1-company)
  

                                
                            
                        
                    
                    
                        
                    
                
            

    
## I. Applying for an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa

This is a great option if you personally own at least  50% in [E-1 business](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/what-is-an-e-1-visa-what-are-the-e-1-visa-requirements-can-i-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-my-family-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-i-hire-employees-from-my-home-country/) (if there is an E-1 company) and you want to come to the U.S. to manage the E-1 company. In such case, you  would apply for an E-1 treaty trader visa. You would have to meet all the [E-1 visa requirements](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/what-is-an-e-1-visa-what-are-the-e-1-visa-requirements-can-i-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-my-family-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-i-hire-employees-from-my-home-country/) to qualify for an E-1 treaty trader visa.

## II. Registering the E-1 Company

This is basically a procedure where: (i) E-1 country nationals own at least 50% in the E-1 company, and they want to send an [E-1 employee](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/i-want-to-apply-for-an-e-1-employee-visa-what-categories-of-e-1-employees-can-come-to-the-u-s-and-work-for-the-e-1-company/)to the U.S, (ii) or it can be a situation where an individual owns at least 50% in the E-1 company but does not want to personally come to the U.S. to manage the company and wants to send another E-1 employee instead.

In these two scenarios, the E-1 company can be registered with a U.S. Consulate abroad.  To register an E-1company, the company would need to meet all the [E-1 visa requirements](https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration/what-is-an-e-1-visa-what-are-the-e-1-visa-requirements-can-i-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-my-family-apply-for-an-e-1-visa-can-i-hire-employees-from-my-home-country/). Once the company is registered with a Consulate, the Consulate will have on record that the company meets all the E-1 visa requirements. You can either file an E-1 employee petition with the Consulate with the E-1 registration, or you can first register the company and then file the E-1 employee petition. Most Consulates have a more simple procedure for submitting employee petitions for employees of registered E-1 companies (e.g. they may only want the employee’s Resume and Letter of Employment), you would not need to re-submit all the trade documents. However, this may not be the case at all Consulates and you should check the Consulate’s website and instructions before applying.