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International Entrepreneur Parole Program

12. May. 2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced this week that the Department of Homeland Security is withdrawing a 2018 proposal to remove the International Entrepreneur (IE) parole program from DHS regulations.

Under the IE parole program, up to three entrepreneurs, as well as their spouses and children, may be granted parole per start-up.  Entrepreneurs granted parole are eligible to work only for their start-up business. Their spouses may apply for employment authorization in the U.S.  Entrepreneurs applying for parole under this rule must demonstrate that they:

  • Possess a substantial ownership interest in a U.S. start-up entity created within the past five years that has substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.
  • Have a central and active role in the start-up entity such that they are well-positioned to substantially assist with the growth and success of the business.
  • Will provide a significant public benefit to the United States based on their role as an entrepreneur of the start-up entity by showing that:
    • The start-up entity has received a significant investment of capital from certain qualified U.S. investors with established records of successful investments;
    • The start-up entity has received significant awards or grants for economic development, research and development, or job creation from federal, state, or local government entities that regularly provide such awards or grants to start-up entities; or
    • They partially meet either or both of the previous two requirements and provide additional reliable and compelling evidence of the start-up entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.