EB-5 TEA Categories Compared for 2026: Rural, High-Unemployment and Infrastructure
Global Immigrate consultants · Published
Written by Global Immigrate consultants · Reviewed by Oscar Yip, Founder & Managing Director
Summary
EB-5 Targeted Employment Area projects all require USD 800,000 but differ in visa set-asides and priority. We compare the three TEA types and who each suits.
Short answer: All EB-5 TEA projects require USD 800,000. They are split into rural (20% set-aside), high-unemployment (10%) and infrastructure (2%). Rural projects usually receive priority processing.
The three TEA types compared
Category
Minimum investment
Visa set-aside
Notes
Rural TEA
USD 800,000
20%
Priority processing; mostly remote
High-unemployment TEA
USD 800,000
10%
Often urban
Infrastructure
USD 800,000
2%
Government-related; fewest visas
Standard
USD 1,050,000
None
Longer backlog
How to choose
Speed matters: rural TEA.
Prefer urban projects: high-unemployment TEA.
Can accept higher investment: standard projects.
Based on public information as of September 2026; always conduct independent due diligence.
FAQ
Are TEA projects always faster?
Rural TEAs have priority processing, but actual times still depend on the project and USCIS.
Who is infrastructure for?
Very limited visas — better for those who can wait longer.
Do people still apply for non-TEA?
Yes, but the amount is higher and there is no set-aside.
