Visto n' Visa
Blog
Notícias e artigos
Destinations
Careers
Immigrants

Does the E-1 accept only one large contract?

The E-1 visa requires continuous and substantial commercial activity, not a single large contract, with multiple smaller contracts also valid as long as they represent consistent trade.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on June 9, 2025
2 min read
Share

The E-1 visa was created to facilitate commercial activity between countries that have treaties with the United States. Therefore, the main focus is on the continuous and substantial nature of commercial transactions, not on obtaining a single large-value contract.

In practice, there is no requirement that determines the need to close only one “large” contract. What is fundamental is to demonstrate that the trade between the investor and the United States is robust and represents a significant part of the business operations. Thus, both a combination of several smaller contracts and one large contract can meet the requirements, provided that together they demonstrate consistent and regular commercial activity between the parties involved.

It is worth highlighting that immigration authorities analyze the total volume and regularity of commercial transactions to confirm that the business fits the criteria established for the E-1 visa. Although a large contract can be convincing, the expectation is that the business maintains a continuous flow of trade, reinforcing the dynamic and substantial nature of the enterprise.

Always remember the importance of complying with United States immigration laws and seeking information from reliable sources and specialized institutions to avoid any kind of scam or unfounded promises. Each case has its peculiarities, and compliance with all requirements is essential for a fair and secure evaluation by immigration officers.

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.

Victoria's tips

Does the E-1 accept only one large contract?

The E-1 visa requires continuous and substantial commercial activity, not a single large contract, with multiple smaller contracts also valid as long as they represent consistent trade.

Recommended reading about E-2

More content about E-2