Comment by srtanzim | Hacker News Reader

Comment by srtanzim | Hacker News Reader

Hey Peter,

I am the Co-founder and CEO of an early stage start-up incorporated in Delaware. I am originally from Bangladesh and have just closed our pre-seed round of $300k from an investor in the United States.

Which of the following options would be the best for me?

1. International Entrepreneur Parole: Raised >$250k so should be eligible.

2. O1: By my understanding, I meet the following criteria:

Award- $300k USD pre-seed investment from a top investor in the United States.

Memberships- OnDeck (beondeck.com)

Critical Employment- Co-founder and CEO

Judging- Judged start-ups for investment competition in St. Louis ($50k cheques).

High Remuneration- Own 60% Equity in my start-up

3. E2: Being from a treaty country can I apply for this or would I need to invest my own money into my start-up?

The IEP seems like the best option and a good one. The E-2 would require investments by you and/or other Bangladesh citizens into the US company and then expenditures by the US company. Based on the information provided, I would put the O-1 odds at less than 50%.

Thanks, Peter! Would you know the processing time for IEP application? Could it be expedited?

The processing time is completely unknown right so we'll have to wait and see and premium processing isn't available - although where the circumstances are very, very compelling, it's possible to request expedited review (with such requests rarely granted).

Hi Peter,

Thanks for doing this.

As far as I know, the IEP structure has no clear path to permanent residency like some of the other options. Is that your understanding as well or am I missing something here?

It's a common misconception that a nonimmigrant status somehow leads to a green card or limits the green card options in any way. There is no connection between the two. So someone in IEP "status" could pursue a green card but because IEP is not considered an admission, he or she would have to go the immigrant visa route through a US Consulate abroad rather than the adjustment of status route through USCIS.

What does IEP stand for?

International Entrepreneur Parole

Thank you. Did not know about this!

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