International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) Parole

Under the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may use its authority to grant a period of authorized stay, on a case-by-case basis, to alien entrepreneurs who show that their stay in the United States would provide a significant public benefit through their business venture and that they merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

Up to 3 entrepreneurs per startup can be eligible for parole under the International Entrepreneur Rule.

You must have a substantial ownership (which we consider to be at least 10% at time of the initial application’s adjudication) in the startup business and have a central and active role in its operations.

The startup must be a U.S. business entity that is lawfully conducting business in the United States and was formed within the 5 years immediately preceding the application for initial parole. It must also have substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

You must be able to document that, within the past 18 months, the entity received the following funding:

A qualified investment of at least the required amount from a qualifying investor ($311,071 as of Oct. 1, 2024);

A qualified award or grant of at least the required amount from a U.S. federal, state, or local government entity ($124,429 as of Oct. 1, 2024); or

Alternatively, if the startup entity partially meets one or both above funding levels, you may submit additional reliable and compelling evidence of the startup entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

While nothing precludes you from personally investing in the startup entity or otherwise securing additional funding, only qualified investments from a qualifying investor count towards the minimum investment amount.

Under this rule, entrepreneurs granted parole will be eligible to work only for their startup business. The spouse and children of the alien entrepreneur may also be eligible for parole.

The spouse of the entrepreneur may apply for employment authorization after being paroled into the United States. (Children are not eligible for employment authorization.)

You may be granted an initial period of parole for up to 2.5years. If approved for a new period of parole (also known as re-parole), you may receive another period of parole for up to 2.5 years, for a maximum of 5 years.