E-1 visa is a great visa for treaty traders who engage in international trade between the U.S. and their home treaty country.
Is there a residency requirement for an E-1 visa?
No, there is no residency requirement for an E-1 visa – there is no requirement that the treaty trader lives in the U.S. Therefore, you can keep your primary residence in your home country and it is completely fine if you only spend couple days/weeks per year in the U.S. This will not affect your E-1 renewal.
I had to let go the employees I had in my home country and I am currently the only person providing servicing to my U.S. clients. Will this impact my E-1 visa renewal?
No. There is no requirement for the E-1 visa that you have employees either in your home country or in the U.S. (however having U.S. employees is always good for the E-1 application/renewal). If you are currently in your home country and you are providing services to your U.S. clients (e.g. providing consulting services to the U.S. clients) that is completely fine.
One thing to keep in mind is that if in the future you will be the only person providing services to your U.S. clients, you should do that when you are physically outside the U.S. as if you were living in the U.S. and providing the services to your U.S. clients, the trade would not be considered international.
The E-1 trade declined due to the Corona Virus outbreak. Will this affect my E-1 visa renewal?
If the trade only decreased for a short period of time and by the time of your E-1 renewal the trade would increase again, we think that it would be fine. As Covid-19 is a global pandemic, we also think that the Consulates will understand that due to restrictions in many country, the trade declined during this period.
Please click here if you want out find out more about the E-1 application process.
You can find key immigration information related to the Corona Virus below
- Top 10 Covid-19 Immigration Questions
- Implications of Layoffs for employers who have employees on H-1B and/or E-3 Visas
- USCIS announces flexibility for request for evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
- Information on Consular closures during Covid-19
- USCIS issues guidance on Remote 1-9 verification during Covid-19
- USCIS office closures due to Covid-19
- Can I apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits while on a Visa?
- Canada/U.S. Border Closures
- USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing
- What can you do if your ESTA is running out?
- Travel Ban for Europe
- Stimulus Bill (All 800 pages)
- Information on Small Business Loans related to the Stimulus package
- USCIS to accept scanned/reproduced signatures instead of “wet” signatures on immigration petitions and forms
- Implications of furlough or termination if you are on a TN visa
- Does the Stimulus Bill impact my immigration status? Is there a public charge concern?
- Understanding the Stimulus Package for Small Businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program
- Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loans
- USCIS to Reuse Previously Submitted Biometrics to Process Work Permit Applications
- USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at least May 3
- SBA Loans and Public Charge Rules – Paychecks Loan Program and Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan Program
- I am in the U.S. on H-1B visa and my employment was terminated due to the Corona virus outbreak.
- I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa, can I apply for loans under the Stimulus Bill?
- Does Covid-19 impact my obligations as an H-1B or E-3 Employer?
- I am in the U.S. on E-2 employee visa. Can I apply for unemployment benefits due to the Coronavirus?
- I want to decrease the salary of my H-1B employee, what is the process?
- I am in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and my employment was terminated due to the Corona virus outbreak.
- I am on an E-2 visa but cannot go back to my Consulate to Renew, what can I do?
- I had to terminate the employment of an H-1B employee due to the Corona virus outbreak. What are my obligations as an H-1B Employer?
- If I get laid off or furloughed am I still eligible to get a green card?
- My status is running out and I cannot leave because of Corona Virus.
- Presidential Proclamation Suspends Some Immigrants from Entering the US for 60 Days but will have very limited Impact
- USCIS Extends Flexibility for Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
- I am in the U.S. on E-1 treaty trader/E-2 investor visa. Can I furlough my E-1/E-2 employees?
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