The United States has increased the minimum amount of investment and income thresholds under the International Entrepreneur Rule. For foreign entrepreneurs who want to do business in the United States, the International Entrepreneur Rule is the regime to choose.

If you want to come to America without investing any money, all you need is a mandate from US-based investors to land in the land of opportunity. The International Entrepreneur Rule allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to the United States without investing, but they must confirm that other qualified American investors have invested in their startup.

The United States has revised the minimum investment, income and other threshold requirements of the International Entrepreneur Rule. The revised investment and income amounts take effect October 1, 2024 and apply to applications filed on or after October 1, 2024.

International entrepreneur parole regulations allow DHS to grant authorized stay to noncitizen entrepreneurs with a substantial ownership interest in start-ups, demonstrating significant public benefit through rapid business growth and creation of jobs.

An applicant does not need to be outside the United States to apply. Applications are welcome from individuals who are not currently in the country, individuals who are in the country but do not currently hold nonimmigrant status, and individuals who are outside the country.

International entrepreneur rule: new rules on October 1, 2024

For an initial application, entrepreneurs must demonstrate the startup entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation by demonstrating at least $311,071 (previously $264,147) in qualified investments from accredited investors, at less $124,429 (previously $105,659) in eligible government awards or grants, or, even if it only partially meets the investment threshold or award criteria, other reliable and compelling evidence of substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation for the start-up entity.

Essentially, if you count on an investment from an eligible investor, the amount goes from $264,147 to $311,071. If you rely on a government award or grant, the amount increases from $105,659 to $124,429. The income amount for new parole consideration increases from $528,293 to $622,142.

An individual or organization may be an accredited investor if they have invested in start-up entities totaling at least $746,571 (instead of $633,952) during a specified 5-year period and, after those investments, at least two of these entities. have each created at least five jobs or generated at least $622,142 (instead of $528,293) in revenue with annualized revenue growth of at least 20%.

The entrepreneur can benefit from an initial period of parole of up to 2 years and six months. If approved for further parole, based on additional funding, job creation or income criteria described below, the contractor may receive up to an additional 2 years and six months, for a maximum of 5 years. If granted parole, the entrepreneur will be allowed to work for their startup based on their parole, and their spouse, if also on parole, will be able to apply for work authorization to work in the United States.