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United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

E-1 Treaty Trader

The E-1 lets a national of a treaty country come to the US to carry on substantial international trade, mainly between the US and their own country, either on their own behalf or as a key employee of a treaty-national trading company. Trade can be in goods or services, including banking, insurance, transport, tourism and technology. There is no minimum dollar value, but trade must be a continuous flow of many transactions, and more than half of the trader's international trade must be between the US and the treaty country.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Treaty-country nationals who run, or are key employees of, a business that trades substantially between the US and their country.

Eligibility

  • Treaty country nationality

    The trader must be a national of a country with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US, a qualifying international agreement, or one designated by legislation.

  • Substantial tradeTrader

    Show a continuous flow of trade between the US and the treaty country, with numerous transactions over time.

    • No minimum dollar value or volume applies
    • For small businesses, income enough to support you and family is a favourable factor
    Official wording

    There must be a continuous flow of trade items between the US and the treaty country, with numerous transactions over time. No minimum dollar value or volume applies; for small businesses, income enough to support the trader and family is a favourable factor.

  • Principal tradeTrader

    Show that more than 50% of your international trade volume is between the US and your treaty country of nationality.

    More than 50%

    Share of international trade

    Official wording

    More than 50% of the trader's international trade volume must be between the US and the treaty country of nationality.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementQualifying trade items
  • Document checklistValid passport showing treaty nationality
  • FeesE category visa application fee

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  • 4 more requirements
  • 7 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 6 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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