Title: USCIS Issues Guidance on the International Entrepreneur Parole Program

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released comprehensive guidance (PDF, 311.98 KB) regarding parole for international entrepreneurs.

In an effort to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced the International Entrepreneur Rule on January 17, 2017. This rule establishes a framework for DHS to utilize its parole authority, granting a period of authorized stay, on a case-by-case basis, to noncitizen entrepreneurs with a substantial ownership interest in a startup entity. Applicants must demonstrate that their presence in the United States would yield significant public benefits through the potential rapid growth and job creation of the startup entity.

Since the full implementation of the International Entrepreneur Rule in 2021, USCIS has experienced a rising number of applications and is diligently processing them.

The recently published guidance in the Policy Manual covers essential information, including:

1. Criteria for consideration of the applicant, startup entity, and qualified investment or government award or grant.
2. Required evidence and documentation.
3. The discretionary nature of entrepreneur parole adjudication.
4. Conditions for parole and grounds for termination.
5. Criteria for consideration of an additional parole period.
6. Options for the entrepreneur's family to join as parolees and, if eligible, to obtain employment authorization.

While individuals paroled into the United States are not officially admitted for immigration purposes, they are allowed to enter and stay, with potential authorization to work.

For more detailed information, refer to Part G (International Entrepreneur Parole) in Volume 3, Humanitarian Protection and Parole, of the USCIS Policy Manual.

Further details on the international entrepreneur parole process, including eligibility criteria, relevant definitions, application procedures, and FAQs, are accessible on the International Entrepreneur Parole page.