Can I combine two or more TEA states to add up unemployment statistics?

No. Under EB-5, combining or adding together the unemployment statistics of two or more states to satisfy the criteria of a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is not permitted. Each designated area must meet the requirements on its own.

TEAs are defined based on their own criteria, such as elevated unemployment levels or location in a rural region, and the statistics used for qualification are calculated independently, following official guidelines. Aggregating data from different jurisdictions to arrive at a more favorable result may constitute a violation of the rules.

• Each TEA qualifies on its own, based on its own data.
• Statistics from different states or jurisdictions cannot be combined.
• Calculations follow the official guidelines for designation.

Since TEA designation rules are specific and subject to change, it is worth confirming the current criteria with USCIS and verifying area eligibility with specialized support.

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Victoria Harper

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.