Entrepreneur Parole: A Pathway for Startup Founders to Build in the United States

The Entrepreneur Parole program, sometimes informally referred to as the “EB-6 visa,” offers a unique opportunity for foreign startup founders to live and work in the United States while building and growing their businesses.

Despite the nickname, Entrepreneur Parole is not a visa and does not grant permanent residency (a green card). Instead, it provides a temporary stay through parole — special permission granted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals whose work is expected to bring significant public benefit to the U.S. economy.

This program fills a critical gap for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional visa categories such as E-2, H-1B, or EB-5, but have innovative business ideas and strong potential for job creation and investment in the United States.

What Is Entrepreneur Parole?

Under this program, up to three founders of a qualifying U.S. startup may be granted parole for an initial period of up to 30 months (2.5 years), with the option to apply for a one-time extension (called “re-parole”) for another 30 months.

Parole allows the entrepreneur to work for their own startup in the U.S. and actively develop the business. Importantly, the entrepreneur’s spouse and children can also be paroled to join them in the U.S. — and the spouse becomes eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to legally work for any U.S. employer.

This makes Entrepreneur Parole particularly attractive for families, as it provides flexibility and dual-career opportunities while the founder focuses on scaling the startup.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Entrepreneur Parole, the applicant must meet several main requirements:

·        Recent U.S. Startup Formation – The startup must have been founded within the past five years and must be doing business in the United States, demonstrating the potential for rapid growth and job creation.

·        Founder Ownership and Role – The applicant must own at least 10% of the startup at the time of filing and must play a central and active role in the company’s operations and development. Passive investors or advisors are not eligible.

·        Significant U.S. Investment or Government Funding – Within 18 months before applying, the startup must have received: at least $311,071 (as of Oct 2024) from one or more qualified U.S. investors (venture capital firms, angel investors, or accelerators), or at least $124,429 in U.S. government grants or awards, or other strong evidence showing substantial growth potential and public benefit if funding thresholds are not fully met.

·        Public Benefit and Discretionary Approval – USCIS must determine that granting parole would bring a significant public benefit to the United States — such as fostering innovation, attracting capital investment, or creating American jobs.

Re-Parole (Extension) After 30 Months

Entrepreneurs can apply for an additional 30-month extension by showing continued eligibility and business success. To qualify for re-parole, the startup must meet one of the following benchmarks:

·        Additional investment or grants of at least $622,142.

·        Creation of at least five qualified U.S. jobs, or

·        Annual revenue of at least $622,142 with an average growth rate of 20% per year during the initial period.

Who Are Ideal Candidates?

Entrepreneur Parole is best suited for:

·        Founders of early-stage, high-growth startups with investment or accelerator backing.

·        Entrepreneurs from countries without E-2 treaties, who otherwise lack a path to start a U.S. business.

·        Founders who have secured venture capital or government funding and can demonstrate strong potential for innovation and job creation.

·        Teams with cross-border operations, where key founders need to relocate to the U.S. to drive expansion and fundraising.

Final Thoughts

While Entrepreneur Parole — often called “EB-6” — is not a visa or green card, it provides a valuable bridge for innovative founders who want to build their companies in the United States.

It allows them to live and work legally while expanding their businesses, hire U.S. workers, raise capital, and contribute to the American economy. The ability for a spouse to obtain an open work permit adds further flexibility and appeal for entrepreneurial families.

For many foreign founders, Entrepreneur Parole can be the first, vital step toward establishing a long-term presence in the U.S. startup ecosystem and laying the foundation for future immigration opportunities.