Key Points
- DHS will issue a proposed rule on May 11, 2021 to cancel the elimination of the International Entrepreneur (IE) parole program
- The agency’s announcement is consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order 14012
- The IE program allows foreign entrepreneurs to establish start-up entities in the US
- Certain dependents may be eligible for work parole through the IE program
- Applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the program
- Individuals must submit Form I-941 and associated fees to be considered
Overview
Today, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a proposed rule to cancel the elimination of the International Entrepreneur (IE) Program. The proposed rule, titled “Removal of International Entrepreneur Parole Program,” will be published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2021.
Background
The IE Program was introduced in 2017. It is designed to help foreign entrepreneurs establish start-up entities with high growth potential in the US Ultimately, the IE Program is designed to strengthen the country’s economy by promoting innovation, creating jobs, and increasing capital spending. The program grants parole for up to three applicants per start-up organization. Primary applicants’ dependents may also receive work authorization through the program.
Individuals must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the program, which is outlined on USCIS’s International Entrepreneur Parole page. To be eligible for participation in the program, applicants must have a “central and active role” in their start-up entity, possess “substantial ownership” in the entity, and show that they will provide a “significant public benefit” to the US through their entrepreneurial role.
What Should Employers and Applicants Know?
Individuals who want to apply for the IE Program must file Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole, along with associated fees for filing and associated biometrics. Individuals whose applications are approved must visit a US consulate to obtain all necessary travel documentation. Canadian citizens may present an approved Form I-941 at a US port of entry. Dependents must also submit all required documentation to be eligible for parole.
Looking Ahead
The agency’s announcement aligns with the intent of Executive Order 14012, titled “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans” that was issued by President Biden in February 2021. By continuing the program, USCIS intends to “welcome entrepreneurship,” and it encourages eligible individuals to continue applying for the program.
