How can I make a direct investment in a census tract that is not a TEA but still enjoy the low investment threshold?

Remember that TEA is decided on both a federal level (USCIS) and by the states or their assigned agencies. Best to check with your local state (or their appropriate agency) since their procedures/requirements can vary drastically. For example, if you&#39re in CA, you can contact the Go-Biz Office in Sacramento. Even if you don&#39t qualify by census tract, you may be able to qualify as a TEA through an alternative designation such as MSA or a rural area.

Presently a state or local entity can make a TEA designation.

No, the classification of TEA is being done through the state agency. Consult an EB-5 attorney who can help verify the relevant agency in your state.

It is certainly worth a try to go to the office within the state responsible of TEA designations and explain your case. If you do that by first going to the local county office, it is fine, but the area where your project will be ultimately needs to be designated as TEA for you to be able to take advantage of the lower required investment amount.

Usually it is a state agency that determines TEAs based on census tract combinations (at least for now?). Find the right state agency and they can try to combine tracts to get you a TEA. If not, and it&#39s not a rural area, you&#39re looking at $1 million.

Usually it is the state which makes this designation.

If it was a rural community?

There are various types of evidence that can be used to prove that direct EB-5 business will be principally doing business within a targeted employment area. One option is to contact the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic&#39s Local Area Unemployment Statistics office to obtain technical evidence. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced immigration attorney who can help you with this process and competently prepare your direct I-526 case.

The location must be certified as TEA. A letter from the state confirming it is TEA is mandatory. You would need to research into how your state issues TEA letters and determine if the state would issue a TEA based on the census tract. A TEA is generally not issued by the local county (with some exceptions, like Texas).

It depends on the state in which the investment is being made. Each state has different rules regarding TEA and many allow you to "combine" tracts in order to qualify as a TEA.