If you’re a Canadian entrepreneur or business owner looking to expand or start your operations in the United States, you’ve likely come across two options: the E1 Treaty Trader Visa and the E2 Treaty Investor Visa.
E1 Visa – Treaty Trader
- Designed for individuals or companies that carry out substantial international trade between their home country (such as Canada) and the United States.
- Ideal for Canadians who already run a business at home and have U.S.-based clients or suppliers.
- You must prove ongoing and continuous trade, typically over the past 12 months.
- Trade includes both importing and exporting of goods, services, or technology.
Which visa fits your business objectives?
If you’re not sure whether E1 or E2 is right for you, ask yourself:
- Do I want to continue running my Canadian business and just travel more easily to the U.S. to work with clients? → The E1 may be the right choice.
- Do I want to open and run an entirely new business in the U.S., possibly unrelated to my Canadian business? → The E2 may be the best option.
In rare cases, you may qualify for both. You may also consider opening a U.S. branch of your Canadian company to meet the E-1 criteria, although this involves corporate tax considerations and you should consult with a tax or business lawyer.
Want to Learn More?
Rupert Law hosts various videos covering E2 and E1 visas, specific industries (such as trucking and digital startups), and more real-world case examples. You can subscribe on YouTube to stay up to date.
📞 Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re a Canadian citizen considering a move to the U.S. via the E-1 or E-2 visa, contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out which visa is right for your business goals.
