Rural TEA priority processing 12-18 months (fastest ever). Reserved Categories CURRENT (China/India window). Filing fees volatile $3,675 now (expecting $9K+ final 2026). Concurrent Filing 3-6 months work permit. File by Sept 30 2026 for grandfathering protection.
$800K Rural TEA OR $1.05M Standard. Rural FAST LANE 12-18 months (priority processing). Reserved Categories CURRENT (no China/India backlog). Concurrent Filing 3-6 months work permit. Authorized through Sept 2027.
Rural TEA Regional Center with Concurrent Filing is THE optimal EB-5 strategy for 2026, especially China/India nationals and those already in USA on H-1B/F-1. RURAL FAST LANE: 12-18 months I-526E approval (sometimes faster) - priority processing makes rural TEA the FASTEST route to green card ever in EB-5 history. RESERVED CATEGORIES CURRENT (Feb 2026): Rural/High-Unemployment/Infrastructure set-asides have NO BACKLOG for all countries including China and India - critical window to skip decades-long waits of other visa categories. CONCURRENT FILING BENEFIT (if already in USA): File I-485 Adjustment of Status simultaneously with I-526E → receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) + Travel Document in 3-6 months, allowing free living/working in USA while investment processes. SUSTAINMENT CLARIFIED: Capital must remain invested minimum 2 years (potentially shorter than full immigration process) - possible to get capital back BEFORE permanent green card depending on project exit strategy. GRANDFATHERING DEADLINE September 30, 2026: Investors filing before this date protected against future law changes if program lapses/reforms. $800K investment (lowest tier) + typically $100K-$150K fees = ~$900K-$950K total all-in. Authorized through September 2027 (stable currently). THIS IS THE GOLDEN MOMENT for Rural EB-5 - faster processing + no backlog + work authorization quickly if already in USA.
Direct path to US green card through $800K+ investment
EB-5 provides direct path to US green card (permanent residency) through investment. Established 1990, this is the ONLY investor pathway to US permanent status leading to citizenship. Unlike temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1), EB-5 grants permanent residency from approval. Conditional green card initially (2 years), then remove conditions → permanent green card. After 5 years total as permanent resident → eligible for US citizenship (most powerful passport globally, 186 visa-free countries).
2026 CRITICAL UPDATES: (1) Rural TEA FAST LANE: 12-18 months I-526E approval (priority processing - FASTEST EB-5 processing ever), (2) Reserved Categories CURRENT (Feb 2026 Visa Bulletin): Rural/High-Unemployment/Infrastructure set-asides available ALL countries including China/India with NO BACKLOG (critical window to skip decades-long unreserved category waits), (3) Concurrent Filing benefit: If already in USA (H-1B, F-1, etc.), file I-485 Adjustment of Status simultaneously with I-526E → receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) + Travel Document in 3-6 months (work/live freely while investment processes), (4) Sustainment period clarified: Capital must remain invested minimum 2 years (potentially get capital back BEFORE permanent green card depending on project exit), (5) Filing fees VOLATILE: Currently $3,675 I-526E (late 2025 court battle reverted from $11,160 attempt), but new final rule expected 2026 settling near $9,000+ (verify exact fee with attorney before filing), (6) Grandfathering deadline September 30, 2026: Investors filing before this date protected against future law changes if program lapses/reforms.
Two investment tiers: $800,000 Rural Targeted Employment Area (TEA) with priority processing + visa set-asides (RECOMMENDED 2026) OR $1.05 million Standard (non-TEA, urban). Must create/preserve 10 full-time US jobs for 2+ years. Two pathways: Regional Center (90% choose - pool capital, professional management, indirect job counting allowed) OR Direct investment (10% - own/manage business, direct jobs only, higher complexity). Program authorized through September 2027 (currently stable). Investment at-risk for 5-7 years typical (return not guaranteed, job creation requirement must succeed). World's largest economy access: USA $27T GDP, premier universities, English language, unrestricted living/working anywhere. Dual citizenship allowed.
Two investment amounts (Rural FAST LANE recommended)
FAST LANE 12-18 months + Reserved Category CURRENT
Higher amount - slower processing (3-5+ years)
Own/operate business - hands-on (10% choose)
I-526E FILING FEE CURRENTLY VOLATILE - VERIFY BEFORE FILING:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 GRANDFATHERING DEADLINE:
Bottom Line: Check filing fee immediately with attorney (volatile $3,675-$9K+ range currently). File before Sept 30 2026 for grandfathering protection. These 2026-specific issues require real-time attorney verification.
What is Concurrent Filing:
CRITICAL BENEFIT - 3-6 Months to Work/Travel Authorization:
Who Benefits Most:
Example Timeline with Concurrent Filing:
2026 VERDICT: If you are already in USA on H-1B, F-1, or other visa, Rural TEA EB-5 + Concurrent Filing is THE GOLD STANDARD strategy. Work/travel freedom in 3-6 months + green card track via fastest EB-5 processing lane (12-18 months rural fast lane) + no China/India backlog (reserved category CURRENT Feb 2026).
What Changed:
What This Means:
CRITICAL NOTES:
Due Diligence Question: When evaluating Regional Center projects, ask about exit strategy timeline. Projects with clear 2-3 year exit plans (post-sustainment) offer potential faster capital return vs those with 5-7 year holds. Balance against project viability, job creation reliability.
All fees including volatile I-526E filing fee
| Cost Component | Rural TEA Regional Center | Standard Regional Center |
|---|---|---|
| Investment (At-Risk Capital) | $800,000 | $1,050,000 |
| Regional Center Admin Fee | $50,000-$80,000 | $50,000-$80,000 |
| I-526E Filing Fee (VOLATILE) | $3,675 (current Feb 2026, expect $9K+ soon) | $3,675 (current Feb 2026, expect $9K+ soon) |
| Immigration Attorney (I-526E) | $15,000-$30,000 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Securities Attorney | $5,000-$10,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Source of Funds Documentation | $3,000-$8,000 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Medical/Biometrics (Family of 4) | $1,500-$3,000 | $1,500-$3,000 |
| I-485 Filing (if Concurrent, Family 4) | $5,000-$6,000 | $5,000-$6,000 |
| I-829 Later (Remove Conditions) | $9,525 + $10K-$20K attorney | $9,525 + $10K-$20K attorney |
Rural TEA Regional Center (RECOMMENDED): $893,675 - $950,525 (assuming current $3,675 fee)
Standard Regional Center (Urban): $1,143,675 - $1,200,525+ (assuming current $3,675 fee)
Direct Investment Route: $893,675/$1,143,675+ setup + ongoing business costs
Key Cost Insights:
CIVITAS works with experienced EB-5 immigration attorneys and trusted Rural TEA Regional Centers to guide your US green card journey. Navigate 2026 updates including Rural fast lane priority processing, volatile filing fees, concurrent filing benefits, and September 30 grandfathering deadline.