On Aug. 26, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking for an International Entrepreneur Rule, and provided an advance version of the proposed rule for public review.

According to an announcement from USCIS, the proposed rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exercise discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to provide parole for foreign entrepreneurs who are directing the development of a startup business entity in the United States and whose involvement in the startup would provide a significant public benefit.  USCIS proposes to amend its regulations in connection with Section 212(d)(5) of the INA to provide a “transparent framework” for the exercise of agency discretion and the case-by-case adjudication of parole requests for start-up entrepreneurs.

In order to be considered for parole under the proposed rule, an immigrant entrepreneur would be required to:

• Own at least 15 percent of the startup and be actively involved in its operation

• Have formed the business in the United States within the previous three years.

The entrepreneur must also demonstrate that his or her business the potential for job creation and growth by showing:

• Investment of a minimum of $345,000 from qualified U.S. investors with success in prior investments

• The receipt of grants or awards from federal, state, or local government entities.

The proposed rule also provides flexibility for an entrepreneur who may only partially satisfy one or both of the above criteria, by permitting the entrepreneur to provide evidence of the start-up’s potential for growth and job creation.

Under the proposed rule, a qualifying entrepreneur may receive parole for a two-year period, and may be eligible for renewal based upon the success of the start-up.

When finalized, the proposed rule may hold potential for immigrants who find themselves caught in current immigrant visa backlogs, as well as individuals who seek to emigrate from countries that do not have E-1 or E-2 visa status.

Upon publication of the rule in the Federal Register, the public will have 45 days during which to provide comment on the rule.