EB-5 Minimum Investment Amounts in 2025 and 2026 (TEA vs Non-TEA Projects)

Index

• EB-5 Investment Thresholds (2025-2026)
• Why Are There Two Different Amounts?
• Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs): $800,000 Investments
• What Counts as a TEA?
• Benefits of Investing in a TEA
• Non-TEA Projects: $1,050,000 Investments
• Future of EB-5 Investment Amounts: Stability Through 2026, Increase Expected in 2027
• EB-5 minimum investment amount 2025-2026: Frequently Asked Questions

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a U.S. immigration path based on investment. It requires foreign investors to make a substantial capital investment. The minimum amount depends on whether the project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).

Under current immigration law, an EB-5 applicant must invest $1,050,000 in a standard (non-TEA) project or $800,000 in a TEA project or a qualifying infrastructure project.

These thresholds were set by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), which revised the EB-5 program and remains in force through 2025-2026. The change raised the long-standing $1,000,000 minimum investment (or $500,000 for TEA projects) that applied before 2019. EB-5 minimum investment amounts are now adjusted from time to time to reflect inflation and economic conditions.

EB-5 Investment Thresholds (2025-2026)

The minimum EB-5 investment amounts established by the RIA are:

• $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects

• $800,000 for TEA and qualifying infrastructure projects

Congress created this two-tier structure in 2022 to replace the former $1,000,000 / $500,000 levels and linked future changes to inflation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has stated that these amounts will not change for fiscal year 2026. No further increase is expected until the next scheduled adjustment.

Why Are There Two Different Amounts?

The lower $800,000 threshold is meant to encourage investment in areas that need economic development. The $1.05 million amount applies to all other projects. By law, the reduced amount is an incentive to direct investor capital into TEAs, such as high-unemployment areas or rural communities, and into certain public infrastructure projects. In practice, this allows EB-5 investors to qualify with a smaller capital contribution if they choose a project in a qualifying TEA or an eligible infrastructure project. The idea is to support development in regions that have fewer resources and less private investment.

Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs): $800,000 Investments

A Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is an area that USCIS classifies as either a rural area or a high-unemployment area under statutory criteria.

Projects located in a TEA qualify for the reduced $800,000 EB-5 minimum. By lowering the required capital, the program aims to direct funds to places that need economic growth the most. Many investors choose TEA projects because the upfront investment is lower and there are immigration-related advantages introduced in 2022.

What Counts as a TEA?

Under USCIS definitions, a project location must meet one of the following conditions to be designated as a TEA:

• Rural Area: A location outside any Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and outside the boundary of any city or town with a population of 20,000 or more. For example, a development project in a sparsely populated county far from urban centers can qualify as a rural TEA.
• High-Unemployment Area: An area where the unemployment rate is at least 150% of the national average, often defined using one or more census tracts. This can include certain distressed neighborhoods in or around cities. For instance, an urban redevelopment project in a census tract with significantly higher-than-average unemployment can qualify as a high-unemployment TEA.

Certain infrastructure projects can also qualify at the $800,000 level under the RIA. These are public infrastructure projects financed in part with EB-5 capital. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines what counts as an eligible infrastructure project. In general, this covers projects administered by a government entity, such as roads, bridges or public facilities.

Benefits of Investing in a TEA

Investing in a TEA offers benefits beyond the lower investment amount. Under the 2022 reforms, a portion of EB-5 visas is reserved each year for investors in TEA projects, which can help with visa backlogs.

Currently, EB-5 visas are reserved as follows:

• 20% for rural projects

• 10% for high-unemployment area projects

• 2% for infrastructure projects

TEA-based investors, especially in rural projects, can also qualify for priority processing of their EB-5 petitions. This means their cases can be reviewed more quickly than standard filings. Because of this, some investors may be able to qualify with less capital and move through the process on a faster track.

To understand the full process and requirements, refer to our EB-5 Visa Guide on 2026 eligibility, process and fees.

TEA projects are not automatically riskier than non-TEA projects. Many are sound business ventures and may be located near strong markets, such as suburbs of major cities or growing communities. The TEA label is based on geographic and economic criteria, not on the quality of the investment itself.

Non-TEA Projects: $1,050,000 Investments

If a project does not qualify as a TEA and is not an eligible infrastructure project, it requires the higher $1.05 million investment. When the business or development is in an area that does not meet the rural or high-unemployment definitions, an EB-5 investor must commit just over one million dollars to qualify for a green card.

These standard, non-TEA investments are common in major metropolitan areas and other economically strong regions. Non-TEA projects often include luxury real estate developments, established businesses in prime locations or other ventures in robust markets. Because these areas already attract capital, the program requires a higher contribution for the same immigration benefit.

Since they do not meet TEA criteria, non-TEA projects do not benefit from reserved visa categories or priority processing. For example, an investor putting $1.05 million into a downtown luxury hotel project will be in the general EB-5 queue, without the set-aside advantages that might apply to a rural hotel project.

The higher investment amount reflects a policy choice. In areas where investment opportunities are already strong, the law requires a larger contribution for EB-5. Even so, for investors who care more about business fundamentals or location than about slightly faster processing, a well-structured non-TEA project can still be a reasonable option. In both TEA and non-TEA scenarios, the immigration benefit is the same; what changes is cost, project location and potential processing time.

Future of EB-5 Investment Amounts: Stability Through 2026, Increase Expected in 2027

No Changes Through 2026

For investors considering EB-5 in 2026, the $800,000 and $1.05 million thresholds are expected to remain the same throughout fiscal year 2026. The RIA links future increases to inflation on a five-year cycle. Because of that, USCIS is not expected to raise the minimum investment again before early 2027, which is five years after the 2022 change.

The EB-5 regional center program is currently authorized through September 30, 2027. All EB-5 petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 will be treated as grandfathered under the existing rules. In practical terms, grandfathering means that if you file by that date, your case continues under the current investment requirements and regulations even if the program lapses or the minimum amounts increase later. This gives investors more predictability if they file before the next adjustment.

Inflation Adjustment in 2027

If there is no new legislation, the next increase in EB-5 investment amounts is scheduled for 2027. The RIA requires that every five years the minimum investment figures be updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Starting in January 2027, the $800,000 and $1,050,000 thresholds are expected to move to higher levels. The exact new figures will depend on inflation data at that time.

For investors who are thinking about EB-5, the main point is that minimum investment amounts are likely to be higher in 2027. Filing an EB-5 petition in 2026 can be a way to lock in the current thresholds and begin the process before higher capital requirements apply. Doing so can reduce uncertainty around the investment amount portion of the case.

For 2025 and 2026, EB-5 investors should plan to invest $800,000 or $1.05 million, depending on whether the chosen project qualifies as a TEA or infrastructure project. These figures are expected to remain in place through the end of 2026.

Choosing a TEA project allows an investor to qualify at the lower threshold and, in some cases, to benefit from faster processing through reserved visa categories. A non-TEA project requires a higher investment and does not offer special processing advantages, but may still make sense based on the business model or location.

In both paths, the intended outcome is the same: a green card. For a complete breakdown of eligibility, documentation, and the step-by-step application procedure, please visit our EB-5 Visa Guide. To evaluate options, confirm eligibility and structure the case correctly, it is usually helpful to work with an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney or advisor.

EB-5 minimum investment amount 2025-2026: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EB-5 minimum investment amount in 2025?

As of 2025, the EB-5 minimum investment amount is $1,050,000 for a standard (non-TEA) project, or $800,000 if the investor places capital in a qualifying Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or eligible infrastructure project.

What is the difference between TEA and non-TEA EB-5 investments?

TEA EB-5 investments benefit from a lower statutory minimum of $800,000 if the project is in a qualifying rural or high-unemployment area or is an eligible infrastructure project. Non-TEA investments require $1,050,000 and are typically located in stronger, more developed markets that do not qualify for the reduced threshold.

How do you qualify a project as a TEA for EB-5?

A project qualifies as a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) if it is located either in a rural area or in a high-unemployment area as defined by statute and USCIS policy. Rural areas must be outside any Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and outside a city or town with a population of 20,000 or more. High-unemployment areas generally must have an unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national average, often measured using one or more census tracts.

What are the benefits of investing in a TEA EB-5 project?

Investing in a TEA EB-5 project allows investors to qualify with the lower $800,000 minimum and also provides immigration advantages such as reserved visa set-asides for rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure projects, as well as priority processing for certain rural filings.

Will EB-5 minimum investment amounts increase in 2027?

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, the minimum investment thresholds are scheduled to be adjusted every five years based on inflation. The next adjustment is expected in 2027, which means the current $800,000 and $1,050,000 thresholds are likely to increase at that time unless new legislation changes the framework.

What is the EB-5 minimum investment for rural projects?

Rural EB-5 projects are treated as a type of TEA investment. If the project location meets the rural TEA definition, the minimum investment is $800,000 rather than $1,050,000, and the project may also fall within the rural visa set-aside and priority processing structure.

Do TEA and non-TEA investments lead to different immigration benefits?

Both TEA and non-TEA EB-5 investments ultimately lead to the same underlying immigration benefit: lawful permanent residence in the United States (green card) if all requirements are met. The main differences are the minimum investment amount, the project location and economic profile, and potential advantages such as reserved visa categories and faster processing for certain TEA projects.

Is the EB-5 investment guaranteed or risk-free?

No. EB-5 is not a guaranteed or risk-free investment. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), your capital must be “at risk” for the purpose of generating a return, which means the law does not allow guarantees on the return of principal or profit. EB-5 is treated as an investment in a business, not as a savings product or a government bond, so there is always some level of commercial risk.