EB-5 Eligibility Calculator 2026

The minimum EB-5 investment is $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in a non-TEA location. TEA designations are determined by state governments based on local unemployment rates (at least 150% of national average) or rural status. TEA designations can change as local economic conditions evolve — verify the current TEA status of any project before investing.

A TEA is a geographic zone — either a rural area or a location with high unemployment (at least 150% of the national average unemployment rate) — designated by the state government. Projects located within a TEA qualify for the reduced $800,000 minimum investment. The standard $1,050,000 minimum applies to projects outside a TEA. TEA status is project-specific and must be documented in the I-526 petition.

USCIS requires documentation showing investment funds were lawfully obtained over a period of typically 3–5 years. Accepted evidence includes: personal bank statements, gift letters with evidence of donor's lawful funds, business sale agreements, loan documents with collateral documentation, property appraisals, and tax returns. Complex source-of-funds scenarios (business sale proceeds, family trusts, foreign assets, multiple currency jurisdictions) require experienced immigration counsel to structure properly.

I-526 petition processing takes approximately 30–62 months as of mid-2026. After I-526 approval and visa availability (based on the monthly Visa Bulletin), consular processing or adjustment of status adds 12–24 months. The I-829 condition removal petition takes approximately 29–63 months. Total timeline from initial investment to unconditional permanent residence is typically 5–8 years. Applicants from backlogged countries (China, India, Vietnam) may face significantly longer waits.

Verify regional centers on the official USCIS EB-5 Regional Center Locator. Look for: current active designation status, prior I-829 approvals demonstrating job creation track record, audited financial statements, transparent project documentation, and whether the center has undergone USCIS compliance reviews. Always have an immigration attorney and financial advisor independently review the private placement memorandum (PPM) and all project documents before committing capital.

No. This eligibility checker provides a general educational screening based on common EB-5 eligibility criteria — it is not legal advice and cannot substitute for consultation with a qualified EB-5 immigration attorney. EB-5 eligibility involves nuanced analysis of source-of-funds documentation, investment structure, individual circumstances, and ever-changing USCIS policy. Consult a licensed immigration attorney before making any investment or visa decisions.