Here is a breakdown of the costs and forms involved in the international entrepreneur visa. DHS estimates that 2,940 entrepreneurs could be eligible for parole annually. Each applicant for parole would face a total filing cost—including the application form fee, biometric filing fee, travel costs, and associated opportunity costs—of $1,480, resulting in a total cost of $4,349,827 (undiscounted) for the first full year the rule could take effect and any subsequent year. Additionally, dependent family members (spouses and children) seeking parole with the principal applicant would be required to file an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) and submit biographical information and biometrics.
DHS estimates approximately 3,234 dependent spouses and children could seek parole based on the base estimate of 2,940 principal applicants. Each spouse and child 14 years of age and older seeking parole would face a total cost of $550 per applicant, for a total aggregate cost of $1,779,604. 3 Additionally, spouses who apply for work authorization via a Form I-765 application would incur a total additional cost of $416.20 each.
Based on the same number of entrepreneurs, the estimated 2,940 spouses would incur total costs of $1,223,630 (undiscounted). The total cost of the rule to include direct filing costs and monetized non-filing costs is estimated to be $7,353,061 annually. DHS anticipates that establishing a parole process for those entrepreneurs who stand to provide a significant public benefit would advance the U.S. economy by enhancing innovation, generating capital investments, and creating jobs.DHS does not expect significant negative consequences or labor market impacts from this rule; indeed, DHS believes this proposal would encourage entrepreneurs to pursue business opportunities in the United States rather than abroad, which can be expected to generate significant scientific, research and development, and technological impacts that could create new products and produce positive spillover effects to other businesses and sectors.
The impacts stand to benefit the economy by supporting and strengthening high growth, job-creating businesses in the United States.