The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a U.S. visa program that allows foreign investors and their eligible family members to obtain Green Cards and become permanent residents. To qualify, the foreigner must make an investment in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.

There are two main types of EB-5 investments: direct investments into a new business, or investments made through an EB-5 regional center. Regional centers are organizations designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to manage EB-5 investment projects. Most EB-5 investors choose the regional center path because it simplifies the process and provides additional protection.

The minimum investment threshold for EB-5 investments in targeted employment areas (TEA) is $800,000, and $1,050,000 elsewhere. TEAs are divided into three categories: high unemployment or “urban” TEAs, rural TEAs, and select infrastructure projects.

In this guide, we’ll explore the specific benefits of rural EB-5 projects and how to best use them to get a fast-track to a U.S. Green Card.

Benefits of Investing in a Rural EB-5 Project

Lower Investment Amount

As mentioned above, the standard minimum investment amount for an EB-5 visa is $1,050,000. However, for projects located in a TEA, the minimum investment is reduced to $800,000. By selecting a strong rural EB-5 project, foreign nationals can also mitigate project failure risks and increase their chances of successfully getting their funds back.

Faster Application Processing

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), EB-5 investors in rural TEA projects get priority processing of their Form I-526E petition, which is the first step in the EB-5 visa process.

While processing times can be different for each case, many rural TEA investors have received I-526E approval in under 12 months, compared to several years for other categories.

Faster processing times mean that investors and their families can obtain their Green Cards much sooner. The priority processing provision only applies to rural EB-5 projects, so investors in urban TEAs or non-TEA regions cannot benefit from this opportunity.

Reserved Visa Numbers

Each year, 20% of all EB-5 visas are reserved for investors in rural TEA projects. In contrast, only 10% are reserved for high-unemployment urban TEA projects.

These reserved visas are not subject to the long backlogs that can affect other EB-5 visa categories, particularly for investors from high-demand countries like China and India. That’s why choosing a rural TEA project provides a much easier path for these investors to get a U.S. Green Card.

As of July 2024, the reserved visas for rural investors remain available, with relevant data not suggesting any backlogs soon.

What Qualifies as a Rural TEA Project?

To be designated as a rural TEA, a project must be located in an area that has a population under 20,000 and is outside of any city or town with a population of 20,000 or more.

The EB-5 rural TEA incentives were created to encourage economic growth and job creation in less populated areas that historically have not received as much investment as larger cities. By putting EB-5 funds into rural projects, the program aims to improve these communities and generate new job opportunities.

Selecting a Strong Rural EB-5 Project

While rural TEA projects offer many benefits, investors must still be careful when selecting a suitable EB-5 project. Below are some key factors to consider.

Regional Center Experience and Track Record

Look for an EB-5 regional center with a history of successful rural projects that have been approved by USCIS and delivered petition approvals to investors before. The regional center should have deep experience in understanding the EB-5 program requirements and a thorough vetting process for selecting viable projects.

Project Location and TEA Status

Verify that the project is genuinely located in a rural TEA that meets the population and geographic conditions. Be careful of projects that may try to change the population data to qualify as a TEA on paper without being in a real rural area.

Job Creation and Project Progress

Ideally, the project should already be under construction and created some jobs already. This will make it more likely that the project will meet the EB-5 job creation requirements in the future. Look for information on the project’s budget and timeline.

Financial and Legal Structure

Carefully review the project’s business plan and other financial and legal documents. The capital should include other sources of funding besides EB-5, such as bank loans, developer equity, or bond financing. A good project will also offer guarantees to investors, such as a refund if their I-526E is denied or a completion guarantee for the construction.

Repayment Terms

Find out the expected timeline for the return of your EB-5 investment, which typically happens after you get your permanent Green Card. The repayment terms should be clearly stated and realistic based on the project’s revenues and exit strategy.

EB-5 Rural Project Risks

While the EB-5 program offers a special opportunity for foreign investors to gain U.S. residency, it is not without risks. As with any investment, there is always a risk of losing money if the project fails.

There are also risks related to the immigration process, such as denial or delay of the investor’s visa petitions, changes to the EB-5 program rules, or the project failing to create the minimum number of jobs.

Investors should carefully consider these risks before making an investment decision and find a low-risk project that is likely to succeed within the given timeframe.

Throughout the investment process, it is crucial to work with experienced EB-5 professionals, including a qualified immigration attorney, to ensure you meet all requirements and handle any challenges that may arise.

Invest in EB-5 Rural TEAs with EB5AN

EB5AN has sponsored over 15 successful projects under the EB-5 Regional Center Program. All our projects have a 100% approval rate from USCIS, and all EB-5 funds are either in good standing or have been repaid.

Our EB-5 rural projects offer all rural TEA benefits listed above. Investors in these projects who are in the U.S. on other visas, including those from China and India, can apply for employment authorization documents (EADs) and advance parole (AP) travel documents at the same time as filing Form I-526E.

Read more about our low-risk EB-5 rural projects here:

Snake River Sporting Club EB-5 Rural Project (Loan)

Twin Lakes Georgia EB-5 Rural Project (Loan)

If you want to learn more about getting U.S. Green Cards by investing in a rural EB-5 project, please schedule a free meeting with our expert team today.