In today’s global innovation economy, startup founders are no longer confined by borders—but U.S. immigration policies haven’t kept pace with the international startup boom. The International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 has reignited this long-standing debate: Will the United States finally commit to a permanent startup visa pathway?
Key Takeaways
- The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) allows foreign startup founders to temporarily live and work in the U.S. to grow their businesses if they meet specific investment and job creation criteria.
- In 2025, DHS updated the IER’s investment and revenue thresholds, released new policy guidance, and simplified some application processes to make the rule more accessible.
- The IER is not a visa and does not offer a direct path to a green card, making it a temporary solution for international entrepreneurs.
- Lack of awareness, slow processing, and legal uncertainty continue to limit the effectiveness of the IER—despite its potential to support U.S. innovation and job growth.
- There is increasing bipartisan support for a permanent startup visa in Congress, which could transform the IER into a more secure and long-term pathway for global founders.
What Is the International Entrepreneur Rule?
The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is a U.S. immigration policy designed to allow foreign startup founders to live and work in the United States while building their companies. Originally introduced by the Obama administration in 2017, the rule offers a pathway for international entrepreneurs whose startups demonstrate significant public benefit through innovation, job creation, or investment.
How It Works:
Instead of a traditional visa, the IER grants “parole” status for up to 30 months, which can be extended to a total of 5 years if the startup continues to grow and meet key milestones. It’s not a green card or work visa—it’s a temporary stay based on business performance and economic contribution.
To Qualify, Founders Must:
- Own at least 10% of a U.S.-based startup.
- Play an active and central role in the company’s operations.
- Show the startup has received at least $250,000 from qualified U.S. investors or $100,000 in government grants or awards.
- Demonstrate the business has potential for rapid growth, job creation, and innovation.
Why It Matters:
The International Entrepreneur Rule offers a flexible alternative to traditional immigration routes for founders who don’t qualify for H-1B or investor visas. It allows the U.S. to compete globally for top talent and support immigrant entrepreneurs in launching the next wave of high-impact companies.
Although underused due to limited promotion and bureaucratic hurdles, the IER remains a vital stepping stone for non-U.S. founders hoping to start and scale their business in the American market.
International Entrepreneur Rule News: What’s Happening in 2025?
As we move through 2025, the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is gaining momentum—especially with substantial changes that make the pathway more accessible and startup-friendly.
1. Increased Investment & Revenue Thresholds
Effective October 1, 2024, DHS automatically raised the minimums to match inflation under the IER’s triennial adjustment rules:
- Investment from qualifying U.S. investors: $311,071 (up from $264,147)
- Government grants/awards: $124,429 (from $105,659)
- Revenue (for parole extension): $622,142 (from $528,293)
- Investor experience: Must’ve invested at least $746,571 in startups over 5 years, with two startups hitting revenue/job thresholds
These changes, formally published July 25, 2024, took effect at the start of FY2025.
2. Policy Guidance & Streamlined Biometrics
USCIS updated its Policy Manual and public information to:
- Clarify triennial financial updates
- Define acceptable evidence (for investment, revenue, gov’t grants)
- Coordinate overseas biometrics with U.S. consulates—making it easier for founders abroad to apply
In early 2025, DHS released even more detailed guidance, outlining what evidence entrepreneurs must submit—covering business ownership, growth metrics, and funding details.
3. Priority Processing for High‑Impact Startups
Some legal updates and immigration advisories in late 2024 and early 2025 mention priority processing for particularly high-impact startup applications, enabling speedier adjudication for those meeting funding or scale benchmarks.
4. Legislative & Administrative Backing
While IER is still a discretionary parole program—not a statutory visa—the Biden administration reaffirmed its support in 2021, reinstating the rule after delays under the previous administration. In 2025, lawmakers have begun exploring formal legislation to codify a permanent startup visa—but progress is ongoing.
Why It Matters
These updates reflect a promising shift: the U.S. is striving to make the IER:
- Easier to navigate with clear guidance and updated forms
- More competitive globally, thanks to inflation-adjusted thresholds
- Quicker for impactful startups, with potential priority review
Still, important challenges remain—like limited awareness, the absence of a direct green-card pathway, and reliance on parole rather than visa status.
Bottom Line
The International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 is a positive sign—reflecting streamlined guidelines, up-to-date financial requirements, and growing political interest.
While not a full startup visa, it offers a much-needed bridge for innovative founders aiming to scale in the U.S. Stay tuned: this evolving rule could soon become the foundation of a robust founder visa system.
Why the U.S. Needs to Embrace Startup Visas Now
As the world competes for top entrepreneurial talent, the U.S. finds itself at a crossroads. With increasing interest in immigration-friendly startup ecosystems like Canada, the UK, and Australia, the question isn’t if the United States should act—it’s how fast. The ongoing International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 highlights an urgent need for real reform and a dedicated startup visa.
1. Global Talent Is Going Elsewhere
Countries like Canada offer a clear startup visa program that grants permanent residency within months. In contrast, the U.S. still lacks a formal, stable startup visa path. As a result, high-potential founders are relocating to countries with faster, founder-friendly immigration policies—taking innovation and jobs with them.
2. Immigrant Entrepreneurs Drive Job Creation
Over 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. From Google to Tesla, these innovators have reshaped global industries and created millions of jobs. Failing to welcome the next wave of immigrant entrepreneurs risks stalling future economic growth and losing global leadership in innovation.
3. Investors Want Clarity and Scalability
U.S.-based venture capital firms are eager to fund global talent, but uncertainty around immigration restricts long-term planning. A permanent startup visa—or a stronger, more functional International Entrepreneur Rule—gives investors the confidence to back international founders who want to build in the U.S.
4. The Current IER Isn’t Enough
Although the International Entrepreneur Rule offers a temporary path for select founders, it’s underused due to bureaucratic complexity, limited awareness, and no path to permanent residency. Without stronger policy support, it remains a stopgap rather than a long-term solution.
The U.S. has always been a magnet for global innovation—but without embracing startup visas now, that edge is slipping. The momentum behind International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 offers a critical opportunity: to modernize immigration policy, support entrepreneurship, and retain the world’s best minds.
For the U.S. to stay ahead, startup immigration needs to evolve—from a policy footnote into a core economic strategy.
Challenges Holding Back the IER
While the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) was created to attract global startup founders to the U.S., it remains underutilized and misunderstood. Despite recent improvements in 2025, several persistent challenges continue to limit its effectiveness.
1. Lack of Awareness
One of the biggest hurdles is that many qualified entrepreneurs simply don’t know the IER exists. Unlike well-known visa programs (like H-1B or EB-5), the IER isn’t widely marketed or promoted by U.S. embassies, startup incubators, or business networks. As a result, international founders often miss out on a valuable immigration option.
2. Complex & Slow Application Process
Applying for parole under the IER can be bureaucratic and confusing. Founders must provide extensive evidence—business ownership documents, investment letters, revenue reports, and job creation plans—while also navigating biometric appointments and USCIS reviews. In many cases, the wait times and uncertainty discourage entrepreneurs from applying.
3. No Path to Permanent Residency
Perhaps the most critical limitation: IER is not a visa, and it does not lead to a green card. Founders under the rule are granted temporary parole, not permanent status. This makes long-term planning difficult and forces many entrepreneurs to eventually leave or switch to another visa type, if they can.
4. Limited Legal Security
Because the IER is an executive policy, not a law passed by Congress, it can be reversed or changed by future administrations. This lack of legal stability makes it a risky option for both founders and their investors, especially in a politically shifting environment.
5. Investment and Revenue Thresholds Are High for Early-Stage Startups
Even after 2025 updates, the financial criteria remain tough for many early-stage startups—especially those based outside the U.S. Founders must prove at least $311,071 in private investment or $124,429 in government funding, which can be hard to access before U.S. market traction.
While the International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 points to improvements, the program still faces real-world roadblocks: lack of visibility, legal uncertainty, slow processing, and limited long-term value. Until these issues are addressed, the IER will fall short of its potential—and the U.S. risks losing high-impact talent to countries with simpler startup immigration programs.
What’s next for the International Entrepreneur Rule?
With the renewed attention in 2025, many are asking: What’s next for the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER)? While recent updates show progress, the future of the IER still depends on political will, agency action, and industry advocacy.
1. Push for Legislative Reform
There is growing pressure on Congress to transform the IER into a permanent startup visa program. Unlike the current rule, which only grants temporary parole, a legislated startup visa would provide legal stability, a path to a green card, and broader access to international entrepreneurs.
Several bipartisan proposals—like the Startup Visa Act—have been reintroduced, though none have passed yet. Still, industry leaders are hopeful that 2025 could be a turning point, especially with strong support from tech companies and venture capital groups.
2. Expanded USCIS Guidance and Processing Improvements
Following the DHS updates in late 2024, USCIS is expected to release more detailed guidance to simplify the application process. This includes:
- Standardized evidence checklists
- Streamlined biometrics coordination with U.S. consulates
- Faster review for high-impact startups
These improvements aim to reduce friction for founders applying from abroad and improve overall transparency.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns
Advocacy groups and startup incubators are working to raise awareness of the IER among global founders. In 2025, we may see more educational resources, webinars, and partnerships between immigration attorneys and accelerators to help eligible entrepreneurs use the rule effectively.
4. Potential for Priority Processing
One of the most exciting developments on the horizon is priority processing for venture-backed or high-growth startups. This could allow qualified founders to receive IER decisions within weeks—not months—making the U.S. more competitive with countries like Canada and the UK.
The Bottom Line
The International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025 signals a renewed interest in attracting global founders to the U.S.—but challenges remain. Whether through legislative reform or executive updates, the IER must evolve into a more secure, scalable, and founder-friendly solution.
If the U.S. wants to stay a global leader in innovation, the next chapter of the IER must offer more than temporary parole—it must offer a real future for the world’s best entrepreneurs.
Final Thoughts
The world’s best founders are mobile, ambitious, and ready to innovate. The question isn’t whether they will build the next great company—but where. If the U.S. wants to continue leading in tech and entrepreneurship, embracing the International Entrepreneur Rule is no longer optional—it’s essential.
As the International Entrepreneur Rule news unfolds in 2025, one thing is clear: the future of American innovation may depend on how welcoming the nation is to global talent.
FQAs
1. What is the International Entrepreneur Rule?
The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) allows foreign startup founders to temporarily stay and grow their businesses in the U.S. if their startups demonstrate significant public benefit—such as job creation, innovation, and private or government funding. It’s not a visa but a form of discretionary parole granted by USCIS.
2. What’s the latest International Entrepreneur Rule news in 2025?
In 2025, DHS updated the IER to include inflation-adjusted investment and revenue thresholds. USCIS also released new policy guidance and is working on simplifying the application process, including overseas biometrics and evidence standards. There’s also growing momentum in Congress to pass a permanent startup visa law.
3. How long can an entrepreneur stay in the U.S. under the IER?
Qualified entrepreneurs can stay in the U.S. for an initial period of up to 30 months (2.5 years), with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional 30 months, depending on business growth, funding, and job creation progress.
4. Does the International Entrepreneur Rule lead to a green card?
No, the IER does not offer a direct path to permanent residency. It provides temporary parole status. Entrepreneurs who wish to stay permanently must transition to another visa category or qualify for a green card through a different route.
5. Who qualifies for the International Entrepreneur Rule?
To qualify, the applicant must:
- Own at least 10% of a U.S. startup
- Play a central and active role in the business
- Show the startup received at least $311,071 in U.S. private investment or $124,429 in government funding
- Prove the business has potential for rapid growth and job creation
