How can I figure out which locations are approved as EB-5 Targeted Employment Areas? If I find out that the location I want to start a business in is not a TEA, can I get it designated as one? How long does that process take?
Answers
Julia Roussinova
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysCurrently, USCIS defers to the states for TEA designation, such as a state's employment security department or equivalent state agency. They issue official certification. You should not start an EB-5 business until you have engaged an EB-5 immigration attorney.
John J Downey
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysThe TEAs are determined by each state. The governor of each state designates a state organization such as the Department of Labor and/or the Unemployment Department to determine which areas have high unemployment. You need to check on a state-by-state basis.
Salvatore Picataggio
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysUnder current policy, which may change with the renewal of the EB-5 program, USCIS will defer to a state's designation of a TEA. A project would contact their state agency tasked with determining TEAs and request a list of designated counties or a determination of a group of contiguous census tracts (that contains the project location, of course) that qualifies as a TEA.
Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysTEA designation is a complicated process that varies according to location. You need to retain an attorney or other specialist first, not start the business there first.
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