Despite all the bad news surrounding US Immigration, the US Embassy London has recently issued an increasing number of E-1 and E-2 visas, which are key for maintaining US – UK trade. During March and April, 2025, the number of E-1 visas issued demonstrated a month on month increase of 67% and 120%, respectively. While the number of E-2 visas issued (MoM) increased by 16% and 5%. During this period, the number of L-1 visas issued remained fairly consistent with an average of 441 visas issued, but representing an increase of 9% when compared to the same period in 2024.
What is an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa?
The E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) visa categories arose in connection with bilateral treaties of commerce (including Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation (“FCNs”) and Bilateral Investment Treaties (“BIT”) between the US and the country of which the treaty trader or investor is a citizen or national. A list can be found at US Department of State. These visas enable investors, traders and their employees to enter the United States on a non-immigrant basis to trade or invest, provided they are a member of a treaty country and satisfy the relevant criteria.
In order to be considered eligible for an E-1 Treaty Trader visa, you must: Be a national of a treaty country and Enter the United States for the purpose of carrying on Substantial trade; Principally between the United States and the foreign country of which you are a citizen or national. Substantial trade is defined as an amount of trade sufficient to ensure a continuous flow of international trade items between the United States and the treaty country. Further information can be found here – https://davieslegal.com/us-visas/non-immigrant-visa/e-1-treaty-trader-visa/
What is an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?
In order to be considered eligible for an E-2 Treaty Investor visa, you must; Be a national of a treaty country and enter for the purpose of directing the operations of an enterprise in which you have invested, or are actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in the United States. Further details can be found here – https://davieslegal.com/us-visas/non-immigrant-visa/e-2-treaty-investor-visa/
What is an L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa?
The L-1 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa which allows companies to relocate foreign qualified employees to its US subsidiary, affiliate or parent company. Companies wishing to transfer their executives, managers and other special employees from a foreign office to a related office in the United States may be eligible for L-1 status. Further information on eligibility can be found here – https://davieslegal.com/us-visas/non-immigrant-visa/l-1-intracompany-transferee-visa/
Davies Legal Immigration
At Davies Legal Immigration, we represent clients in connection with all types of US immigration. We provide a comprehensive service, including clear and concise advice from the outset, a pragmatic approach and efficient working practices. We understand the importance of our cases to clients and adopt a well-reasoned, diligent approach, in order to maximize your prospects of success. Contact us now to speak to a licensed US immigration attorney and obtain a free, no obligation quote.
