USCIS Announces Outline of Policy Changes for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
USCIS and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano have announced police changes affecting immigrant entrepreneurs. These changes are designed to help bolster the economy by attracting talented entrepreneurs who can help create jobs and who can help stimulate the economy. The move essentially shows that the USCIS and the rest of the US government are serious about attracting immigrant entrepreneurs who can help create jobs and new economic opportunities for all residents of the US.
The US has always relied on entrepreneurs who create jobs, invest money, and otherwise help to grow the economy. The announcement comes six months after the creation of the Startup America initiative, which was created by the White House to help US entrepreneurs enjoy fewer obstacles and faster solutions. In addition to Startup America and the latest changes, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness has also emphasized entrepreneurship and innovation.
The USCIS has taken several steps in order to help entrepreneurs immigrate to the US. For example, the USCIS has published an FAQ on the USCIS website, detailing the processes for an E-2 Visa (an employment-based second preference immigrant visa) and the EB-2 visa. The EB-2 visa is designed for extraordinary workers in business, the arts, and sciences. In the past, the EB-2 visa required a Department of Labor certification and a permanent job offer in the US. Under current policies, these requirements may be waived in some cases. The FAQ provides details.
The FAQs also outline the qualifications and processes for the National Interest Waiver program, which entrepreneurs are eligible for if their business ideas are in US interest. The USCIS will also engage in discussions with shareholders and hold internal training about entrepreneurship to ensure that everything is being done to help promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship-based immigration to the US in order to bolster the US economy.
The USCIS has also made changes to make getting an H-1B visa easier for some applicants, and the details of these changes are also available on the website’s FAQ. The USCIS has further streamlined the review and application process for some types of visas, including the EB-5 immigrant investor program and the E13 program. This may make it easier for some entrepreneurs to immigrate to the US.
The US has always been a nation of immigrants and in fact relied on immigrant innovation in early days to found a nation. As the economy continues to recover from the 2008 credit crisis and recession, the US government is taking steps to ensure that entrepreneurs have a chance to contribute to the growing of the US economy.