Can I have a franchise agreement under the E-1?

Yes, you can. A franchise agreement can be part of the enterprise that supports the E-1 visa, as long as the essential requirements of the visa continue to be met. The franchise format alone neither prevents nor guarantees qualification.

The decisive factor is substantial trade, conducted continuously between the United States and the treaty country. If the network business effectively generates a relevant and regular flow of goods or services between the two countries, it may be considered appropriate in the analysis.

The structure of the business also matters: a solid operation with clearly defined investment and control, and transactions that can be documented with clarity. It is the substance of the operations, not the label on the contract, that guides the evaluation.

Because each case has its own particularities, it is worth keeping thorough and transparent documentation of all transactions and checking the updated criteria with official sources or a specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.