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As the American economy looks to recover from one of the deepest recessions in recent history, lawmakers have begun to pursue new measures to promote job growth in the country.

Of the more popular and novel approaches, the immigration visa has drawn the attention of Congress members, who cite the ways that introducing foreign business leaders into the U.S. economy could have a domino effect on job creation.

In fact, last week, Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts and Republican Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana proposed the StartUp Visa Act of 2010, which effectively expands the EB-5 visa program by inviting foreign entrepreneurs who contribute at least $250,000 to a startup venture to become permanent U.S. residents, the Economic Times reports.

Drawing on the pool of 10,000 visas made available by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the EB-5 visa program, the bill looks to modify current immigration law by creating a new EB-6 category.

Because the investor visa has only risen to national attention recently, many individuals may not realize the differences between the immigration opportunities, which range those awarded to foreign nationals with special work skills, to those who are able to invest substantial sums in American businesses.

As opposed to the EB-5 visa program, EB-2 visas are given as an employment authorization for immigrants who either hold advanced professional degrees, or who exhibit some exceptional ability in the arts, sciences or business that will significantly benefit the nation, according to VisaPro.com.

The merits of an EB-2 immigration visa for the U.S. are based on the idea that top talent and innovative thinkers provide the means for economic growth.

Conversely, the EB-5 visa program requires that foreign nationals take advantage of an investment opportunity, asking that they endow at least $500,000 to an American business.

Both the EB-5 and EB-2 visas allow holders to permanently reside and work in the U.S., freely travel to and from the country, and apply for dependent visas for immediate family members under 21 years old.

The proposed EB-6 status, would also allow immigrants to be eligible for permanent legal resident status, given that their startup has created at least five full-time U.S. jobs and is worth at least $1 million within two years.