In June 2013, the US Senate passed S.744, which included the proposed Startup Visa (or EB6). The House Judiciary Committee in May had already voted out committee H.R. 2131, with its version of a Startup Visa. It appeared that the process was moving forward, but to date the full House has not yet voted on either H.R. 2131 or S. 744. Representative Joe Garcia (D-FL) introduced H.R. 15 on October 2, 2013, which also includes Startup Visa provisions, but that bill has sat in the subcommittee since December.
The likelihood of a new Startup Visa becoming law before the 2014 mid-term elections seems increasingly unlikely as political posturing for the campaign increases. It seems more likely that Congress will deal with immigration in some form closer to the 2016 presidential elections, if at all.
Check out my recent article to learn more about the Start Up Visa’s implications for VCs and entrepreneurs and existing visa options that can meet their needs.
