The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has recently issued guidance on the parole program for international entrepreneurs. The program was established through the International Entrepreneur Rule published by the Department of Homeland Security in 2017. This program provides noncitizen entrepreneurs with a substantial ownership interest in a start-up entity the opportunity to apply for authorized stay on a case-by-case basis if they can demonstrate that their stay would provide significant public benefit through the potential for rapid business growth and job creation.
After the full implementation of the International Entrepreneur Rule in 2021, the USCIS has received a growing number of applications and is adjudicating them as quickly as possible. To further clarify the process, the USCIS has released comprehensive guidance in the Policy Manual, which includes criteria for consideration, evidence and documentation requirements, discretionary nature of the parole adjudication, conditions on parole and bases for termination, criteria for consideration for an additional parole period, and options available for family members.
While parolees are not admitted into the United States for immigration purposes, they are authorized to enter and remain in the country and may be allowed to work. Those interested in learning more about the international entrepreneur parole process, including criteria for consideration, related definitions, and how to apply, can find additional information on the International Entrepreneur Parole page. Part G (International Entrepreneur Parole) in Volume 3, Humanitarian Protection and Parole, of the USCIS Policy Manual provides more detailed information on the program.
