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Can I have American partners in the E-1?

The E-1 visa requires the foreign investor to hold majority control of the company, and American partners may be present as long as they do not hold the majority of the capital or operational control.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on January 15, 2026
2 min read
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The E-1 visa is intended for citizens of countries with specific treaties with the United States who wish to conduct substantial trade between their home countries and the US. This type of visa requires that the company involved in the commercial activity be majority-owned and controlled by the investor from the treaty country.

Regarding the participation of American partners, the main rule is that the foreign investor maintains majority ownership and control of the company. In other words, it is possible to have American partners or even investors, as long as they do not assume the majority of the capital or operational control of the company.

The objective is to ensure that the enterprise remains aligned with the treaty requirements, that is, that it is, in essence, a company owned and controlled by the citizen of the treaty country. It is essential that all criteria and rules are strictly followed to avoid complications in the visa application process.

Therefore, it is advisable to always verify the updated rules and, if possible, consult reliable sources or seek information from qualified specialists in the immigration field to ensure all conditions are properly met. It is also worth highlighting the importance of being cautious about false information and miracle promises made by marketing campaigns. Respecting the United States immigration law is essential to avoid future problems.

Learn more about E-2 Visa

Type
Non-immigrant
Initial validity
2-5 years
Extension
Unlimited (2 years each)
Processing
1-4 months
All about E-2 Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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Can I have American partners in the E-1?

The E-1 visa requires the foreign investor to hold majority control of the company, and American partners may be present as long as they do not hold the majority of the capital or operational control.

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