To qualify for an E-1 nonimmigrant visa, a petitioner needs to engage in substantial and principal trade between his or her country of origin and the United States. Under federal law, per 8 C.F.R. 214.2(e)(10), substantial trade may be considered that which involves the continuous flow of sizable international trade items. Generally, substantial trade occurs when numerous transactions over time.
According to USCIS, there is not a required minimum amount of money or quantity of goods in a transaction for it to qualify as substantial trade. However, the frequency of the trade may serve as a greater factor in determining whether it is substantial.
Per federal law, under 8 C.F.R. 214.2(e)(11), principal trade between the United States and the treaty nation may be described as involving more than 50 percent of the international trade between the two countries. A well-informed E-1 visa lawyer in Naperville may discuss other relevant federal laws with interested clients.