What is the International Entrepreneur Rule?
Paul Segreto
Thought Leader | Visionary Strategist | Empowering Entrepreneurs in Small Business, Restaurants & Franchising | CEO & Founder of Acceler8Success | Host of "Acceler8Success Cafe: The Podcast"
The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is a program established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2017. It is designed to provide a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs to enter and remain in the United States to build and grow their startups. The program allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in the United States, with the potential to create jobs and generate economic growth.
The IER provides a temporary stay of up to five years, with the possibility of extending it for an additional two years. To be eligible for the program, the entrepreneur must demonstrate that their business has the potential to create jobs for American workers, as well as contribute to the U.S. economy. Here are various specific criteria and requirements for the program:
Ownership Stake and Active Role in Management: To qualify for the IER, the entrepreneur must have a significant ownership stake in the startup, which should be at least 10%. Additionally, they must have an active role in the management of the startup.
Potential for Rapid Growth and Job Creation: The entrepreneur must demonstrate that their startup has the potential for rapid growth and job creation. They must provide a detailed business plan that outlines the growth strategy, including the timeline for achieving milestones, the projected number of jobs created, and the expected impact on the US economy.
Public Benefit: The entrepreneur must also be able to demonstrate that their presence in the United States would provide a significant public benefit. This could be through the creation of jobs, the introduction of modern technologies, or the development of new products or services. The USCIS evaluates the public benefit by considering certain factors, including the potential job creation, the impact on the local economy, and the potential for significant innovation.
Funding and Investment: The entrepreneur must also have secured significant funding or investment from qualified US investors, or have received awards or grants from federal, state, or local government entities.
Background and Character: The entrepreneur must also meet certain background and character requirements, including having a clean criminal record, and not posing a national security risk to the United States.
IER Application Process: To apply for the IER, the entrepreneur must submit Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole, along with supporting documentation. The USCIS will review the application and supporting documents to determine whether the entrepreneur meets the eligibility criteria for the program.
Upon approval, the entrepreneur will receive a temporary stay in the United States for up to five years. During this time, they can establish and grow their startup, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional two years. The entrepreneur's spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may also accompany them to the United States.
To summarize, the International Entrepreneur Rule provides a valuable opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in the United States, contributing to economic growth and job creation. The program has specific criteria and requirements that entrepreneurs must meet to be eligible, including a significant ownership stake, an active role in management, and the potential for rapid growth and job creation. The entrepreneur must also demonstrate that their presence in the United States would provide a significant public benefit and have secured funding or investment from qualified US investors. With the IER, foreign entrepreneurs can access the highly competitive and lucrative US market, promoting innovation and economic growth.
Resources & Support
The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America
Tahmina Watson strips away the rhetoric and uses her remarkable skills as an immigration attorney to make a compelling argument for how and why U.S. immigration policy is working against our own best interest. And she explores why a bipartisan Startup Visa for foreign entrepreneurs, which the U.S. Congress has repeatedly failed to approve, is now more crucial than ever for securing job growth and economic prosperity in America.
Her insightful book reaches back through the generations to acknowledge immigrants’ contribution to the American economy and offers lively analysis of how, like fitting a square peg into a round hole, existing visa options are not working for the modern entrepreneur.
Regardless of class or status, this book helps us all to understand that immigrants, through hard work and ingenuity, continue to help forge the U.S. economy -- creating untold numbers of well-paying American jobs. But as the U.S. fumbles in creating a legal path for them to come and live here, the rest of the world is catching up, embracing the entrepreneurs we are turning away. As a country, we must decide: If we want a future of continued economic prosperity, the Startup Visa is essential for keeping America in this global race.
Acceler8Success Group Immigrant Business Services
Aligned with all aspects of Acceler8Success Group comprehensive services & resources is a select team of highly experienced multi-lingual business development professionals led by Acceler8Success Group president, Erik Premont.
Erik's proficiency in French, Spanish and Portuguese is an asset in assisting immigrants from Canada, Latin America, and various European countries. Also conversant in Italian, German and Russian, and with even a slight understanding of other languages and cultures, Erik has helped immigrants from all corners of the world explore business ownership and franchise opportunities within the United States.
For more information or a referral to an Immigration Attorney, please reach out directly to Erik Premont at [email protected].
Ask about the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative.
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You can reach me via a LinkedIn message, by email to [email protected], and by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.
Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com. Also, please visit two of our additional resource sites: Entrepreneurship411.com and OwnABizness.com.
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All my best,
CEO & Founder, Acceler8Success Group