The E-1 visa is based on the 1951 Greece-U.S. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation and allows Greek citizens to travel to the U.S. for extended periods to work as treaty traders. The conditions for issuing an E-1 visa are:

• The applicant must be a Greek citizen (or a citizen of another country with a relevant agreement).
• The company for which the applicant will work in the U.S. must be at least 50% Greek-owned. If the company is owned by Greeks with a green card or U.S. citizenship, they are not counted as Greeks for proving ownership.
• The trade the applicant will conduct in the U.S. must be substantial and continuous.
• The trade must be primarily between the U.S. and Greece, exceeding 50% of the total trade.
• Trade includes cross-border exchange/sale of goods, services, and technology.
• The applicant must hold a managerial position in the company or have specialized knowledge or skills essential for the company’s operation.

The E-1 visa is a relatively easy and quick way for Greeks to work in the U.S., provided the conditions are met. In most cases, it is recommended to use a specialized immigration lawyer to prepare all the required documents.