Do documents from trade partners count for the E-1?

Yes, they can count. In the E-1 visa context, documents tied to trade partners are useful for demonstrating that real, substantial, and recurring trade exists between the United States and the country that holds a qualifying treaty of commerce with it.

The central requirement of the E-1 is proving that the majority of qualifying trade takes place between the two countries. In that effort, the following types of records typically help:

• Contracts and agreements with trade partners.
• Invoices, purchase orders, and proof of payment.
• Business correspondence that shows the regularity of transactions.

These documents, however, rarely speak for themselves: they must form part of a broader set that clearly establishes the substance and continuity of the trade. Because each case is evaluated individually, it is worth organizing the documentation in accordance with the current USCIS guidelines and, if possible, reviewing it with 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.