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Is Florida considered a TEA?

Florida is not a TEA as a whole: in the EB-5 program, the designation applies to specific areas (rural or high-unemployment). Everything depends on the exact location of the project.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 21, 2026
1 min read
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Not automatically. In the EB-5 program, no entire state, including Florida, receives the TEA (Targeted Employment Area) designation simply by being a state. The classification applies to specific areas, not to a state as a whole.

The TEA designation exists because projects located in those areas typically qualify for a reduced investment requirement, making this classification a relevant consideration. However, it depends on criteria tied to the exact location of the project, such as rural regions or areas with high unemployment rates.

This means that within Florida itself there can be:

  • Regions that qualify as a TEA, based on economic and demographic data.
  • Regions that do not qualify, even within the same state.

What matters, therefore, is analyzing the specific location of the investment, not the state as a whole. Since the relevant data and criteria are updated periodically, confirm the TEA designation with the USCIS and be cautious of offers that guarantee the classification without a detailed analysis.

Learn more about EB-5

Type
Investment Green Card
Min. investment
US$ 800,000
Jobs created
Minimum 10 (full-time)
Processing
24-48 months
All about EB-5

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.

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Is Florida considered a TEA?

Florida is not a TEA as a whole: in the EB-5 program, the designation applies to specific areas (rural or high-unemployment). Everything depends on the exact location of the project.

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