Short answer: TEA projects start at USD 800,000; non-TEA at USD 1,050,000. TEAs cover rural areas, high-unemployment areas and qualifying infrastructure. Beyond the amount, assess project risk, job creation and exit terms.
Amounts and definition
| TEA | Non-TEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | USD 800,000 | USD 1,050,000 |
| Scope | Rural, high-unemployment, qualifying infrastructure | Other areas |
Both amounts will be adjusted for inflation from 2027.
How to choose
- Budget: TEA has the lower threshold; most applicants use TEA.
- Project quality: Lower amount does not mean lower risk — review the developer, job projections, collateral and exit.
- Backlog: Backlogs are by place of birth, not by TEA vs non-TEA.
Points to note
- Capital is at risk; repayment is not guaranteed.
- Regional centre and direct projects have different due diligence focuses.
- The 30 September 2026 grandfather clause and 2027 inflation adjustment affect timing — factor both in.
See US EB-5.