Updated guidance to help EB-5 investors understand the current minimum investment amounts
-- Global Immigration Partners PLLC Issues New Guidance on EB-5 Investment Levels and TEA Qualification Under the Reform and Integrity Act
Global Immigration Partners PLLC, an international immigration law firm advising investors and businesses worldwide, today released updated guidance to help EB-5 investors understand the current minimum investment amounts—$800,000 and $1,050,000—and the criteria for qualifying a project as a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
With global demand for U.S. investor visas rising and the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) reshaping program definitions, the firm aims to provide clarity on key rules affecting investor eligibility, project selection, and immigration timelines.
Two EB-5 Investment Levels: What Investors Must Know
$800,000 Minimum Investment — TEA Projects
The reduced $800,000 EB-5 minimum applies when a project is located in a Targeted Employment Area. Under federal law, TEAs include:
- Rural Areas:
- Locations outside any metropolitan statistical area (MSA), with fewer than 20,000 residents.
- High-Unemployment Areas:
- Areas—defined by one or more census tracts—where unemployment reaches at least 150% of the U.S. national average.
“Because rural TEA projects receive priority processing and visa set-asides, they offer significant strategic advantages for investors, especially those from historically backlogged countries,” said Alexander Jovy Co-managing partner at Global Immigration Partners PLLC.
$1,050,000 Minimum Investment — Non-TEA Projects
If a project does not qualify for TEA status, the required EB-5 investment is $1,050,000, the standard amount mandated by the RIA.
Understanding TEA Qualification: A Critical Step for Investors
According to Global Immigration Partners PLLC, many investors misunderstand how TEAs are determined.
“TEA qualification is data-driven, not subjective,” said Jovy. “High-unemployment TEAs can include strong urban redevelopment zones, and rural TEAs are often located near major cities. TEA designation alone does not indicate whether a project is high- or low-risk.”
The firm notes that TEA eligibility is determined by geographic boundaries, census data, and unemployment statistics, all of which must be documented at the time of I-526E filing.
Required Documentation for TEA Designation
To support a TEA-based EB-5 investment, projects must provide:
- Census tract maps
- Population data (for rural areas)
- Unemployment calculations (for high-unemployment areas)
- Government-approved data sources such as ACS or BLS
- State labor department certification letters, when available
Most Regional Centers provide complete TEA evidence packages for investor filings.
Do TEA Projects Carry More Risk?
A common concern among investors is whether the lower investment threshold correlates with higher financial risk. Global Immigration Partners PLLC clarifies that TEA designation has no direct relationship to investment risk.
“Risk depends on the capital structure, job creation buffer, developer experience, and exit strategy—not whether the project is TEA or non-TEA,” the Jovy explained. “We strongly encourage investors to conduct legal and financial due diligence before committing EB-5 capital.”
About Global Immigration Partners PLLC
Global Immigration Partners PLLC is a leading international law firm specializing in EB-5 investor visas, business immigration, and family-based immigration solutions. With offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, the firm advises investors, entrepreneurs, multinational companies, and families seeking U.S. immigration benefits.
The firm provides comprehensive EB-5 support, including source-of-funds documentation, project evaluation, I-526E/I-829 filings, consular processing, and adjustment of status representation.
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Global Immigration Partners PLLC
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