Priority Processing in EB-5: Rural TEAs

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, established by the U.S. Congress in 1990, offers foreign investors a path to U.S. residency through significant capital investment and job creation in American businesses. Over the years, the program has faced challenges, particularly with long processing times for visa applications. To address this, priority processing has been introduced, especially for investments in Rural Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). This initiative aims to boost economic development in rural areas while providing a faster route to residency for investors.

Understanding Rural TEAs

Rural TEAs are designated areas outside metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and cities or towns with a population of 20,000 or more. These areas often suffer from economic stagnation and limited job opportunities. By directing EB-5 investments to rural TEAs, the program seeks to stimulate economic growth and job creation in these underserved regions.

Legislative Background

The Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022 introduced several measures to enhance the EB-5 visa program’s efficiency and attractiveness. One of the key provisions is the prioritization of EB-5 petitions associated with rural TEAs.

The RIA has allocated 32% of the annual EB-5 visa pool specifically for investments in TEAs. This set-aside helps ensure that a significant portion of EB-5 visas is available to investors in these areas, bypassing the long queues typically associated with the unreserved visa category.

Rural TEA investments benefit from expedited processing times. By prioritizing these petitions, USCIS aims to reduce the waiting period significantly, often processing applications in an average of 9 to 12 months compared to the several years it can take for other categories. At EB-5 Choice, we have seen I-526 applications approved in as little as four months.

This expedited processing is particularly beneficial for investors from high-demand countries like China and India, who traditionally face lengthy delays due to visa backlogs.

Priority processing for EB-5 investments in Rural Targeted Employment Areas represents a significant enhancement to the program, offering a faster path to U.S. residency while promoting economic development in underserved areas. By taking advantage of reduced investment thresholds, expedited processing times, and the potential for substantial community impact, investors can achieve their immigration goals while contributing to meaningful economic growth. As the EB-5 program continues to evolve, rural TEAs will remain a key focus for those pursuing a US Green Card by investment.