By David Wang, Attorney at Law, Wang Law LLC – Chicago & Montreal Offices
Disclaimer
This publication provides general information and legal analysis regarding the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program from the perspective of a U.S. immigration attorney. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, create an attorney-client relationship, or substitute for individualized counsel. Investors should consult qualified legal professionals before making decisions related to immigration or securities investments.
I. Introduction
Since the passage of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), investors have increasingly questioned how the statutory investment amounts are determined, what constitutes a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), and how Direct EB-5 projects differ from Regional Center offerings. A recurring misconception—especially among first-time investors—is the belief that the $800,000 investment level is inherently tied to Regional Center projects. In fact, investment thresholds derive strictly from federal statute and TEA status, not from whether the project is “Direct” or “Regional Center.” This article provides a detailed legal analysis of the EB-5 framework, supported by citations to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the Federal Register, USCIS Policy Manual, and binding administrative precedent such as Matter of Ho.
II. Statutory Framework: Why the Investment Amount Is $800,000 or $1,050,000
Under INA §203(b)(5), as amended by the RIA in 2022, EB-5 investments fall into two tiers:
- $1,050,000 – Standard minimum investment
- $800,000 – For investments located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or qualifying infrastructure projects
RIA Text (Official Source)
“…the minimum investment amount shall be $1,050,000, and the reduced amount shall be $800,000 for investments in a targeted employment area or an infrastructure project…”
— EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, §102(b)(5)
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2471
Legal Conclusion
✔ The investment amount is determined by TEA status—not by Direct vs. Regional Center classification.
✔ Both Direct and Regional Center projects may qualify for the $800,000 threshold if located in a TEA.
III. TEA Requirements Under Federal Law
TEA determinations are governed by statute and regulatory criteria:
1. Rural TEA
A “Rural Area” must:
- Meet the definition in 7 U.S.C. §1991
- Be outside a metropolitan statistical area (MSA)
- Have a population under 20,000
2. High-Unemployment TEA
Federal regulation requires: “…an unemployment rate of at least 150 percent of the national average…”
— Federal Register, 87 FR 82909 (Dec. 1, 2022)
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/01/2022-25826/
IV. Direct EB-5 Projects: Why No Official List Exists
Contrary to common assumptions, USCIS does not maintain any public list of Direct EB-5 projects, because:
- Direct investments involve private operating businesses, not government-authorized offerings
- Businesses may be investor-owned (self-directed EB-5)
- Securities laws restrict public marketing of private offerings
USCIS confirms that Direct EB-5 investors must create 10 direct, W-2 full-time jobs:
“Direct EB-5 investments must result in the creation of 10 full-time positions for qualifying U.S. workers.”
— USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part G, Chapter 2
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-g
V. Regional Center EB-5: USCIS Lists Centers, Not Projects
Unlike Direct projects, Regional Centers (RCs) are designated by USCIS.
However, USCIS only publishes the list of approved Regional Centers, not their individual investment projects.
Official USCIS Regional Center List
🔗 https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fifth-preference-eb-5/eb-5-immigrant-investor-regional-centers/approved-eb-5-immigrant-investor-regional-centers
The list includes:
- Active Regional Centers
- Terminated Regional Centers
- States and geographic scope
Why USCIS cannot publish project lists
EB-5 investment offerings are typically conducted under:
- Securities Act of 1933
- Regulation D (Rule 506)
- Regulation S
These regulations prohibit general public solicitation of private-placement securities.
VI. Precedential Case Law: Matter of Ho and Business Plan Requirements
The foundational legal standard for EB-5 business plans comes from the binding AAO decision:
Matter of Ho (Authoritative Precedent)
Matter of Ho, 22 I&N Dec. 206 (AAO 1998) holds that every EB-5 petition must include:
“a comprehensive description of the business, market analysis, personnel plan, and detailed job creation timeline.”
Official PDF:
🔗 https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3362.pdf
Legal Significance
✔ Applies equally to Direct and Regional Center filings
✔ USCIS continues to rely on Matter of Ho when adjudicating I-526/I-526E petitions
✔ Insufficient business plans remain a leading cause of RFEs and denials
VII. Direct vs. Regional Center EB-5: A Legal Comparison
| Legal Issue | Direct EB-5 | Regional Center EB-5 |
|---|
| Job creation requirement | Must be direct jobs | May include indirect & induced jobs |
| Economic models | Not required | Required (RIMS II, IMPLAN) |
| USCIS project listings | None | RC list only |
| Minimum investment | TEA: $800k / Non-TEA: $1.05M | Same |
| Governing structure | Investor equity in operating business | LP/LLC structure through RC |
| Key authority | INA §203(b)(5)(A) | INA §203(b)(5)(B)(iii) |
| Risk profile | Operational risk | Developer/market risk |
VIII. Due Diligence Factors: What EB-5 Investors Must Review
Wang Law LLC conducts due diligence in the following areas:
1. Economic Job Creation Models (RC only)
- RIMS II (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- IMPLAN (Input-Output modeling)
2. Capital Structure Analysis
3. Redeployment Requirements
USCIS mandates sustainment of capital: “The capital must remain at risk until the end of the sustainment period.” — USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part G
4. Verification of TEA Designation
Compliance with updated labor and census data is essential.
IX. Conclusion
Based on statutory authority, administrative precedent, and USCIS policy:
- The $800,000 minimum investment applies only when the project is located within a TEA—not because it is a Regional Center project.
- Direct EB-5 projects have no official USCIS list; they require individualized legal review.
- USCIS publishes only the list of approved Regional Centers, not the underlying projects.
- Matter of Ho applies universally to all EB-5 business plans.
- Post-RIA compliance obligations are substantially heightened, increasing the need for professional legal counsel and due diligence.
X. Contact Wang Law LLC for EB-5 Representation
Chicago Office (USA)
Wang Law LLC
203 N LaSalle Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
📞 +1 312-519-1115
📧 info@wanglaw.com
🌐 https://www.wanglaw.com