Who determines whether an area is rural?

The definition of ‘rural area’ is not arbitrary: it follows official criteria established by the United States government. Data from federal agencies, such as the US Census Bureau, serve as the basis for classifying an area as rural or urban, taking into account factors such as population density, location, and infrastructure.

In the EB-5 program, this classification matters because projects located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) may qualify for differentiated conditions. A TEA can be either a rural area or a region with high unemployment.

In practice, beyond Census Bureau data, information from state and local agencies may also factor into the analysis, and it is up to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to determine, during the review of the petition, whether the area meets the program’s legal requirements.

Since the criteria and data sources may change over time, confirm the current classification with the official source (USCIS) and government data before relying on that designation.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.