Deniz and Emre Bicak already operated a business manufacturing silver jewelry in Türkiye and selling it in the United States. Their operation included online sales, US warehousing, and distribution. We developed Emre’s E-1 application around that established trade and documented the relationship between the operations in both countries. His application for E-1 status was approved in approximately 10 days.
Case at a glance
| Item | Case details |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | Emre Bicak |
| Business | Silver jewelry manufacturing and e-commerce |
| Commercial relationship | Production in Türkiye and sales, warehousing, and distribution in the United States |
| Category | E-1 Treaty Trader |
| Application | Change to E-1 status in the United States |
| Outcome | Approval in approximately 10 days |
| US base | North Carolina |
A business built through years of trade
Emre had worked in e-commerce since 2012, testing different products and developing sales to the US market. The business eventually focused on silver jewelry and established its own production workshop in Türkiye.
Online platforms, including Etsy and Amazon, formed part of the sales operation. The business also had a warehouse in the United States and managed distribution and logistics as part of its commercial system.
When Deniz and Emre began considering a longer stay in the United States, they had a business history to assess. Their immigration plans developed around work they already knew and an operation they had spent years building.
Choosing a route that fit the existing business
We considered E-1 alongside E-2 and L-1A when reviewing their circumstances. E-1 emerged as the appropriate route for this case because the application could be based on the existing trade between Türkiye and the United States.
They did not need to acquire an unfamiliar business or make a separate investment solely to create the basis for this application. Our preparation focused on documenting the trade already taking place and explaining how the two operations worked together.
Making the commercial relationship clear
The application needed to present a coherent account of production, exports, sales, and payments. We assembled company and tax records, bank statements, invoices, export documentation, production evidence, contracts, and money-transfer records.
Each group of documents explained part of the operation. Taken together, they supported the account of goods moving from Türkiye into the US business and the commercial activity surrounding those transactions.
Consistency was central to the preparation. The amounts, dates, and explanations across the records needed to agree so that the trade could be understood from the application materials.
How the evidence supported the case
| Evidence | What it explained |
|---|---|
| Company records | The businesses involved in the trading operation |
| Production and export documents | The goods and their movement from Türkiye |
| Invoices and contracts | The commercial transactions and relationships |
| Bank statements and transfers | The financial records supporting those transactions |
| US operating records | The warehousing, distribution, and sales side of the business |
A coordinated document preparation process
Deniz played a central role in gathering documents and coordinating communication with our office while Emre continued managing the business and providing the necessary commercial information.
We explained the records needed and reviewed the materials as they arrived. They obtained documents from existing business records, accountants, and logistics contacts. We then organized the evidence and prepared the submission.
The final application exceeded 1,000 pages. Its size reflected the volume of trading records in this case; the preparation focused on explaining what those records showed about the business.
E-1 approval and developing the US operation
The application was approved in approximately 10 days. Deniz and Emre continued developing their business from North Carolina.
Their US presence also helped them explore opportunities beyond online sales. They attended trade fairs, met potential buyers, and pursued direct commercial and wholesale relationships. The existing online operation continued while they explored additional ways to reach customers.
Lessons for businesses trading with the United States
- Assess the business you already operate. Your existing commercial history may help determine which immigration route deserves consideration.
- Connect trade records with financial records. Invoices, exports, contracts, and payments should tell a consistent story.
- Coordinate document collection early. Records held by accountants and logistics providers can take time to assemble.
For more information, visit our E-1 Treaty Trader service page.
How we can help with your E-1 application
At Celiksoy Immigration Lawyers, we assess your trading activity, company structure, and immigration circumstances together. We identify the records needed to explain the commercial relationship and help organize the evidence of transactions, exports, and payments. We then prepare an application tailored to your business and the appropriate filing route. When additional evidence is requested, we assess the request and prepare the response. This approach gives you a clear assessment and a structured process for presenting your trading history.
Discuss your E-1 eligibility with us
Email us@celiksoylaw.com, or complete the E-1 preliminary assessment form. Tell us about your business, the countries involved in its trade, the frequency and value of transactions, and whether you are considering an application from abroad or within the United States.
Outcomes depend on the facts and evidence in each case. Previous results do not guarantee a similar outcome.