Rural TEA EB-5 Project Advantages for New Investors

EB5 applicants have several strategies at their disposal to enhance their prospects of achieving successful immigration. One of the primary methods employed by EB5 investors to mitigate risk is directing their investments towards commercial enterprises situated within targeted employment areas (TEAs). This decision grants immigrant investors the advantage of a reduced minimum investment requirement, set at $800,000. TEAs encompass regions designated as either high-unemployment zones or rural areas, both of which can derive substantial benefits from EB-5 investment capital. For high-unemployment TEAs, the unemployment rate must be at least 150% higher than the national average.

>>> Explore Rural EB-5 Projects for Expedited Green Card Processing and a 20% Reserved Visa Allocation

To meet the criteria for classification as a rural area, the location should satisfy the following conditions: it must have a population of fewer than 20,000 residents, it should not share a border with a municipality that has a population of 20,000 or greater, and it must not fall within the boundaries of a metropolitan statistical area.

The EB-5 program currently presents attractive incentives to EB-5 applicants who choose to invest in projects located in rural areas. These enticing benefits were instituted as part of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (the RIA). With the RIA in effect, EB-5 investors participating in rural projects can benefit from expedited processing of their immigration applications through a priority processing track. Moreover, foreign investors originating from countries experiencing a backlog of EB-5 applications may have the opportunity to circumvent several years of additional waiting time by directing their investments toward a new commercial enterprise situated in a rural area.

In addition to expediting the process of obtaining U.S. Green Cards for EB-5 visa applicants, rural EB-5 projects play a vital role in infusing much-needed capital into economically disadvantaged regions, thereby fostering economic growth and job creation. Numerous rural communities are already reaping the rewards of this economic stimulation, courtesy of foreign investors. With the growing appeal of incentives for investment in rural TEAs, we anticipate a surge in EB-5 funding directed towards rural communities. This, in turn, is poised to fortify local economies. Regional center sponsors collaborating with rural EB-5 projects are likely to witness increased investor interest. Consequently, the regional center project facet of the EB-5 program stands to gain from the positive impact of rural EB-5 projects as well.

Both EB-5 investors and real estate developers are encouraged to explore the numerous advantages associated with rural TEA projects

Rural TEA Projects Create Jobs and Strengthen Rural Economies

EB-5 investment funding for real estate projects in rural areas brings forth numerous advantages for these communities. Such funding is frequently accessible at interest rates below the prevailing market rates, rendering it a cost-effective solution for real estate developers. Presently, developers contend with elevated interest rates and frequently seek more cost-effective, unconventional funding sources, such as those provided through EB-5 regional centers and new commercial enterprises. 

One of the primary benefits of EB-5 investment funding in a rural area is the creation of jobs. As a requirement for the program, each EB-5 investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. This infusion of job creation (both direct, indirect and induced jobs) supports the local economy. It also provides a much-needed boost for communities that may be struggling with unemployment and underemployment compared to the national average unemployment rate. This strengthens the labor force employment measure, and direct jobs establish positive economic indicators. It can also create a lasting employer employee relationship for many workers. Furthermore, EB-5 investment funding stimulates growth in rural areas. New commercial enterprise developments can lead to increased property values, which in turn generate higher tax revenues for the community. This additional income can be used to improve local infrastructure, schools, and public services, further enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. 

Rural EB-5 Projects: Your Gateway to a Green Card

Investors in rural TEAs can access several unique advantages that are unparalleled in the EB-5 visa program. Here, we outline some of the benefits of investing in a rural TEA project.

Reserved EB-5 Visas EB-5 investors from countries with visa backlogs, such as China and India, often face extended Green Card waiting periods, sometimes waiting for several additional years. The RIA introduces a distinctive solution for EB-5 investors hailing from countries with visa backlogs. Annually, the USCIS designates 32% of the total EB-5 visa quota for three investment categories: rural TEAs (20%), high-unemployment TEAs (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%).

Investors in these projects are eligible for set-aside EB-5 visas. As long as the allocated EB-5 visas are available, qualifying investors are exempt from additional delays caused by visa backlogs. These set-aside visas allow investors to bypass the waiting queue compared to investors from their country who do not qualify for set-aside visas. Chinese and Indian investors meeting the criteria for set-aside visas are likely to immigrate much sooner. While three reserved visa categories exist, rural EB5 projects offer several distinct advantages.

One notable advantage of rural EB5 projects is the lower demand compared to the number of designated visas available. Infrastructure projects represent a relatively new and lesser-known project category. Although demand is low, only a limited number of projects qualify. In contrast, high-unemployment TEA projects are the most prevalent in the EB-5 industry, and due to their popularity, the 10% of visas reserved for this category are likely to be exhausted first. Rural projects, on the other hand, have a favorable position with an ample supply of designated visas and less demand for this project category. Investing in rural projects provides benefits for all EB-5 investors, with those residing outside the United States benefiting the most. Unlike applicants holding U.S. non-immigrant visas, who can promptly adjust their immigrant status after investing, applicants residing abroad often face prolonged waiting periods before they can immigrate. Set-aside visas for rural projects can significantly reduce this waiting time.

Priority Processing: 

The RIA introduces “priority processing” for Form I-526E for investors in rural TEA new commercial enterprises. Given the growing processing times for Form I-526E, priority processing adds substantial value to rural projects.”