The international entrepreneur rule may let eligible startup founders live in the United States and operate their company through discretionary parole. It is not a visa or green card, and meeting the requirements does not ensure approval.
If you are considering this route, treat immigration eligibility and fundraising preparation as connected but separate work. The rule sets conditions for the company, founder, and funding. USCIS makes the decision, so consult qualified immigration counsel about your situation.
What does the international entrepreneur rule allow?
The International Entrepreneur Rule, often shortened to IER, lets certain founders request permission to enter and remain in the United States to work full-time on their startup. This permission is parole. It does not grant permanent residence or establish a guaranteed route to a visa.
An initial parole period may be granted for up to 30 months. A founder can request another period of up to 30 months if the startup shows continued growth through qualifying funding, revenue milestones, or US job creation. The maximum period under IER is five years.
A founder’s spouse and children may also receive parole. A spouse may apply for work authorization. These provisions do not change the discretionary nature of the process.
Some founders may use their time under IER to build a record for a later O-1A, EB-1A, or EB-2 NIW petition. IER itself does not provide a green card.
Who can qualify, and what funding is required?
The startup must be a US entity formed within the previous five years. At the initial decision, the founder must own at least 10% of the company and play a central, active role in its operations. A passive investment alone does not meet the founder-role requirement.
For 2026, the funding thresholds are:
- Investment: At least $311,071 from qualified investors.
- Government funding: At least $124,429 in qualifying federal, state, or local grants or awards.
Qualified investors generally include US venture firms or angel investors with a record of real investments and successful outcomes in recent years. The total raised is only one part of the assessment: the investor’s qualifications and the evidence documenting the funding also matter.
Up to three founders from the same startup may apply using the same qualifying round, provided each meets the relevant requirements. If the company falls somewhat below a funding threshold, USCIS may consider other reliable and compelling evidence of growth potential. That option is a more difficult route, not something to assume will replace the stated thresholds.
Budget for the USCIS filing fee as well as legal costs. Check the applicable requirements with immigration counsel before preparing a filing.
How should you prepare for an IER-related fundraise?
Start by considering whether potential investors may fit the qualified-investor criteria, rather than focusing only on the round’s total amount. Their investment history and outcomes may be relevant, and you will need supporting documentation for counsel to review.
Be ready to present the startup clearly. Investors may assess the company’s business, market, traction, team, funding request, and intended use of proceeds. Separately, your IER preparation should address the company’s US formation, your ownership percentage, and your active responsibilities.
Keep evidence as the financing progresses instead of trying to rebuild the record later. Investment agreements, wire confirmations, and material related to investor track records may be useful for counsel’s review of a Form I-941 filing. If you may seek re-parole, maintain records of funding, revenue milestones, and hiring from the outset.
Round Funded covers 60,000+ active investors, searchable by stage, industry, geography, and check size. Its investor search and fundraising workflow can support targeting and outreach, but it does not decide whether an investor meets IER criteria or provide immigration guidance. You can get matched with active investors through the application process.
What mistakes should founders avoid?
- Treating the application as the first step. The qualifying investment or grant is central. The general sequence is to establish the US entity, complete qualifying funding, and then file.
- Assuming every investor counts. Review the investor’s profile and record against the criteria, and retain evidence for counsel.
- Delaying company formation without considering the time limit. The entity must have been formed within the previous five years. Round Funded identifies a Delaware C-corp as an investor-standard default, but the right structure depends on your circumstances and should be discussed with an adviser.
- Leaving ownership or responsibilities ambiguous. Confirm that your stake meets the requirement and document your active role in the company.
- Putting evidence collection off until later. Keep round records as transactions occur, and track company growth if you may request an additional parole period.
- Treating parole as permanent status. IER has a five-year maximum and does not itself grant permanent residence. Discuss possible next steps with qualified immigration counsel.
How Round Funded helps founders target investors
- Submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
- Search investors by stage, industry, geography, and check size to identify fundraising targets relevant to your company.
- Use AI to draft personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for investors. Messages go through your own Gmail, so replies arrive in your inbox and the email thread remains yours.
- Build and share a Data Room link containing your deck, traction, team, and ask. Every plan includes the ability to build and share a Data Room; Round+ adds per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics.
- Track investors, fundraising stages, and next steps in the pipeline, and follow replies as your round progresses.
Round Funded supports investor discovery and fundraising organization. It does not assess immigration eligibility, advise on filings, or guarantee a fundraising result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the international entrepreneur rule a startup visa?
No. It is a discretionary parole process, not a visa or green card. Eligible founders may request permission to live in the United States and work full-time on their startup, but approval is not automatic.
What are the 2026 funding thresholds?
The amount is at least $311,071 from qualified investors, or at least $124,429 through qualifying government grants or awards. USCIS may consider other reliable and compelling evidence of growth when a founder is below the threshold, but that route is harder.
How long can parole last?
The initial period may be up to 30 months. A further period of up to 30 months may be available if the company demonstrates continued growth through qualifying funding, revenue milestones, or US job creation. The maximum is five years.
Can multiple founders use one qualifying round?
Yes. Up to three founders from one startup may apply based on the same qualifying round. Each founder must still meet the applicable requirements.
Does IER lead directly to permanent residence?
No. The rule does not provide permanent residence. A founder may use the time to build a record that could support a later O-1A, EB-1A, or EB-2 NIW petition, with advice from qualified counsel.