International Entrepreneur Parole in 2026

The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is not a visa. It is a discretionary use of DHS parole authority for qualifying startup founders whose U.S. startup has substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

Initial founder/startup criteria

Current USCIS Form I-941 instructions require an entrepreneur seeking initial parole to hold at least a 10% ownership stake, have a central and active role, and use a qualifying U.S. startup generally formed within the preceding five years.

USCIS also looks for evidence of significant U.S. startup backing. The current instructions use an initial-parole framework including:

  • at least $311,071 in qualified investment received within the relevant 18-month period; or
  • at least $124,429 in qualifying government awards or grants; or
  • partial satisfaction of those thresholds together with other reliable and compelling evidence under the rule.

The investor must itself meet USCIS's qualified-investor rules. Not every angel cheque or overseas investment counts.

Parole is temporary and discretionary

USCIS may grant an initial authorized stay of up to 30 months, with the possibility of up to an additional 30 months if the separate re-parole requirements are met.

Parole is not admission in a nonimmigrant visa category and is not permanent residence.

Work and family

An entrepreneur paroled under IER is authorized to work only for the qualifying startup entity under the parole conditions.

A spouse who is separately paroled may apply for employment authorization. Children may be eligible for parole but are not work-authorized merely as derivative children.

Not an automatic founder green card

IER does not automatically convert to a green card. Founders may separately evaluate O-1, E-2, EB-2 NIW or EB-5 if independently eligible.

Verified against USCIS sources on 20 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in United States