Source: https://blog.firstreference.com/e-1-visas-for-canadian-production-companies/
Timestamp: 2020-04-02 19:53:21
Document Index: 7370894

Matched Legal Cases: ['§41', '§41', '§41', '§41', '§41', '§41', '§41']

E-1 Visas for Canadian production companies - First Reference TalksFirst Reference Talks
The one significant limitation of the E-1 category is that it is not available to all nationalities. In order to qualify for E-1 status, an eligible treaty must exist between the United States and the relevant foreign country. A list of eligible treaties in effect between the United States and other foreign countries appears in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), the manual used by US consular officers.[1] Fortunately, Canadian citizens are eligible for E-1 status, as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
To qualify for E-1 status, a proposed treaty trader must possess the nationality of an eligible treaty country. Although an individual Canadian citizen owner may seek status as an E-1 treaty trader, it is also possible for a corporate entity to qualify. However, in the case of a corporate entity, it must be at least 50 percent owned and controlled by Canadian citizens.[2]
To qualify for E1 treaty trader status, there must be an actual exchange, in a meaningful sense, of qualifying commodities, such as goods, moneys or services, to create transactions that are considered trade.[3]The term “trade” is defined as the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country.[4]
The Department of State (DOS) regulations designate “items of trade” to include: (a) goods, (b) services, (c) technology, (d) monies, (e) international banking, (f) insurance, (g) transportation, (h) tourism, (i) communications, and (j) some news-gathering activities.[5] However, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list. For example, although intellectual property is not specifically mentioned, trade in intellectual property can be used to support an E-1 application.
The above definition of “trade” requires an international exchange of items of trade between the United States and the treaty country. In other words, development of the domestic US market without an international exchange would not qualify.[6]
To qualify for E-1 status, the international trade must be considered substantial. The term “substantial trade” means the quantum of trade sufficient to ensure a continuous flow of trade items between the United States and the treaty country.[7] This continuous flow contemplates numerous exchanges over time rather than a single transaction, regardless of the monetary value.[8] Clearly, there is no minimum dollar amount required to qualify for E-1 status.
Large production companies engaged in international trades of high monetary value would have no problem establishing that their trade is substantial, as long as they are engaged in more than a single transaction. Even in the case of a small, family-owned production company, its trade may be considered substantial if the income derived from the international trade is sufficient to support the owner, and his or her family.[9]
To qualify for E-1 status, the Canadian production company must be engaged in international trade that is principally (more than 50 percent) between the United States and Canada.[10] The remainder of the trade in which the treaty trader is engaged may be international trade with other countries or domestic trade.[11]
To qualify as an essential skills worker, an employee must possess special skills that are essential to the successful or efficient operation of the business.[12] However, there is no formal requirement that the essential skills worker have any previous work experience with the company.[13]
The salary that the special qualifications command.[14]
Long-term essentiality may be established in connection with continuous activities in areas such as product improvement, quality control, or the provision of a service not generally available in the United States.[15] It should be possible to demonstrate that performing artists / entertainers employed in the production will remain essential on a long-term basis, since their participation is critical to the show’s production. It should also be possible to demonstrate that other creative/technical personnel will remain essential on a long-term basis, based on the need for continuity of production (i.e., quality control).
E-1 applicants must also establish that they intend to depart from the United States upon termination of their status.[16] However, the applicant’s expression of an unequivocal intention to return when his or her E-1 status ends is normally sufficient; this can customarily be expressed by way of a written statement.
[1] 9 FAM 402.9-10.
[2] 9 FAM 402.9-4(B)(c).
[3] 9 FAM 402.9-5(B)(b).
[4] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(7).
[5] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(8).
[6] 9 FAM 402.9-5(B)(c).
[7] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(9).
[10] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(10); 9 FAM 402.9-5(D)(a).
[12] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(12).
[13] 9 FAM 402.9-7(C)(3).
[14] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(12).
[16] 22 CFR §41.51(a)(1).
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