International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP)

Do You Qualify? (The Baseline Requirements)

To qualify for the IEP program, the founder and the startup must meet highly specific criteria. As of the recent updates, the requirements are:

The Startup Entity

• The business must have been legally formed in the United States within the past 5 years.

• It must have substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

The Founder

• You must hold at least a 10% ownership stake in the startup at the time of application.

• You must play a central, active role in the day-to-day operations of the business (you cannot simply be a passive investor). (Note: Up to three co-founders from the same startup can apply for IEP).

The Funding Thresholds (Updated to Current Rates) Your startup must demonstrate significant financial backing by meeting one of the following criteria:

• Venture Capital / Angel Funding: You must have secured at least $311,071 from qualified U.S. investors who have a history of successful, high-growth investments.

• Government Grants: You must have received at least $124,429 in grants or awards from qualifying U.S. federal, state, or local government entities (such as SBIR or STTR grants).

• Alternative Evidence: If you partially meet the funding thresholds, we can submit alternative compelling evidence of your startup's potential for rapid growth, such as major customer contracts or significant media recognition.

The Step-by-Step Process with IMMI.LAW

Securing IEP status is similar to preparing for an investor due diligence review. We handle the legal heavy lifting:

Step 1: The "Qualified Investor" Audit The government requires strict proof that your U.S. investors are "qualified." We work with your venture capital firm or angel syndicate to document their track record of successful investments and job creation to satisfy USCIS requirements.

Step 2: Petition Assembly & Filing (Form I-941) We compile your corporate formation documents, capitalization tables, wire transfer receipts, and business plans into a comprehensive Form I-941 (Application for Entrepreneur Parole) and file it with USCIS.

Step 3: Parole Issuance & Entry Once approved, you do not receive a traditional "visa" stamp. Instead, you are issued a travel document that allows you to be "paroled" into the United States to work exclusively for your startup.

Step 4: The 30-Month Extension (Re-Parole) Before your initial 30 months expire, we will help you file for an extension of an additional 30 months (for a total of up to 5 years). To qualify for the extension, we must show that your startup has created at least 5 qualifying U.S. jobs, received significant additional funding, or generated substantial U.S. revenue.

Official Government Fees (Current as of 2026)

These are direct fees paid to the U.S. Government and do not include IMMI.LAW’s legal representation fees.

• Form I-941 (Application for Entrepreneur Parole): $1,200 (Includes biometric services fee).

Please verify all current fees directly on the Official USCIS Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the IEP program lead to a Green Card? No. Parole is a temporary status (lasting up to 5 years maximum) and does not directly convert to permanent residency. However, during those 5 years, many of our startup founders hire us to transition their status to an O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) or directly to an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW Green Card based on the success they achieved while on parole.

Can my spouse work in the United States? Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to the U.S. Once they arrive, your spouse is eligible to file Form I-765 to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing them to work for any employer in the country.

What happens if my ownership dilutes below 10%? It is common for founders to dilute their equity during subsequent funding rounds. While you must have 10% ownership at the initial application, you only need to maintain at least a 5% equity stake when applying for your 30-month extension.

Build Your Startup in the U.S.

Your focus should be on product development and scaling your team, not fighting through immigration red tape. Schedule a Founder Strategy Consultation with IMMI.LAW today, and let us build your pathway to the U.S. market.

Schedule Your Assessment Consultation

(US $150)