EB-5 TEA Designations in California
Targeted Employment Area qualification data for California. The state unemployment rate of 5.3% is 1.3 points above the national average of 4%.
2,800
TEA Census Tracts
5.3%
State Unemployment
4%
National Unemployment
120
Active Regional Centers
Key Takeaways
- 1California has 2,800 census tracts that qualify as Targeted Employment Areas under current USCIS criteria.
- 2120 USCIS authorized regional centers currently operate in California, with 35 previously terminated.
- 3Rural TEA areas are available in California, qualifying for the 20% rural visa set aside and the reduced $800,000 investment minimum.
- 4TEA designation is now determined by DHS (USCIS), not the California governor, following the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
TEA Types Available in California
Rural TEA
California contains areas outside metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and outside cities with populations of 20,000 or more. These rural areas qualify for the 20% rural visa set aside and priority USCIS processing. The minimum investment for rural TEA projects is $800,000.
High Unemployment TEA
California has census tracts where unemployment meets or exceeds 150% of the national average. These high unemployment areas (HUAs) qualify for the 10% HUA visa set aside. USCIS allows the combination of contiguous census tracts to meet the unemployment threshold.
TEA Designation Authority
Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), the authority to determine Targeted Employment Area qualifications shifted from individual state governors to the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS). This change standardized the TEA designation process nationwide.
Previously, each state governor could designate areas as TEAs, which led to inconsistent standards across states. Some states adopted broad definitions that allowed TEA designations in areas with relatively low unemployment through creative geographic combinations.
USCIS now maintains a TEA designation tool that allows investors and project developers to verify whether a specific address qualifies as a TEA. This tool uses Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data and Census Bureau geographic definitions.
How to Verify TEA Status in California
Access the USCIS TEA Designation Tool
Navigate to the USCIS TEA designation page on uscis.gov. The tool is publicly available and does not require an account.
Enter the Project Address
Input the full street address of the proposed EB-5 project location in California. The tool will map the address to the corresponding census tract.
Receive the TEA Determination
The tool will indicate whether the address qualifies as a TEA based on current unemployment data and geographic classifications. The determination specifies whether the area qualifies as a rural TEA, high unemployment TEA, or does not qualify.
Important: TEA designations can change as unemployment data is updated. Always verify TEA status at the time of filing. A TEA determination at the time of investment may differ from the determination at the time of petition adjudication.
Related Resources
Last updated: 2026-04-07
TEA census tract counts are approximate, based on USCIS TEA designation tool results and Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data. Regional center counts reflect currently authorized centers per USCIS records. EB5Status is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Consult an immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.