Short answer: In 2026 the US EB-5 minimum investment is USD 800,000 for a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and USD 1,050,000 for other areas. TEAs include rural areas, high-unemployment areas and qualifying infrastructure projects. Rural projects additionally benefit from a 20% visa set-aside and USCIS priority processing, making them attractive to many applicants.
What are the current investment thresholds?
Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, the minimum is USD 800,000 for TEA or infrastructure projects and USD 1,050,000 elsewhere. The capital must be at risk and used to create at least ten full-time US jobs. The amounts are scheduled for inflation adjustment beginning January 2027. See US EB-5 Investor Immigration.
What is a TEA and why do rural projects stand out?
A Targeted Employment Area is either a rural area or an area with unemployment at least 150% of the national average. Rural areas lie outside metropolitan statistical areas and outside the boundaries of towns of 20,000 or more people. In addition to the lower investment amount, rural projects receive a 20% annual visa reservation and statutory priority processing, which typically results in faster adjudication.
Why do most applicants favour rural TEA projects?
Rural projects combine a lower capital threshold, reserved visa numbers and priority review, which can shorten the overall timeline. High-unemployment TEAs also use the USD 800,000 threshold but have a 10% set-aside and generally do not receive the same processing priority. Non-TEA projects require higher investment and draw from the unreserved pool, which may involve longer waits for certain nationalities.
TEA versus non-TEA comparison
| Item | Rural TEA | High-unemployment TEA | Non-TEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | USD 800,000 | USD 800,000 | USD 1,050,000 |
| Visa set-aside | 20% | 10% | None (unreserved) |
| Processing priority | Statutory priority | Standard | Standard |
| Job creation | At least 10 full-time jobs | At least 10 full-time jobs | At least 10 full-time jobs |
| Main advantage | Lower threshold + set-aside + faster review | Lower threshold | Possibly wider project choice |
Global Immigrate’s recommendation
Families with sufficient capital who want faster progress should prioritise qualifying rural TEA projects. Beyond the investment amount, review project compliance, job-creation plans and the regional centre’s track record. Amounts may rise in 2027, so those planning to file soon should complete fund preparation and documentation early. Confirm personal circumstances against the latest official requirements.
Data current as of October 2026.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.