CA · Urban High-Unemployment & Rural

EB-5 Visa California 2026

California is one of the top US states for EB-5 immigrant investor visas, with 47+ active USCIS Regional Centers, a minimum TEA investment of $800,000, and 880 monthly global searches from prospective investors in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and internationally.

47+

Active Regional Centers

$800K

Minimum TEA Investment

880/mo

Monthly Searches

EB-5 Investor Destination

Why California for EB-5?

State-specific advantages for immigrant investors targeting California.

Largest EB-5 Market in the US

California hosts more USCIS-designated Regional Centers than any other state, concentrated in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diego. The sheer volume of projects gives investors maximum choice across hospitality, multifamily, and mixed-use asset classes.

High-Unemployment TEA Zones in Major Metro Areas

Many census tracts in Los Angeles and Oakland qualify as high-unemployment TEAs under USCIS criteria, enabling the $800,000 minimum investment threshold within urban infill projects — without requiring remote rural locations.

Strong Developer Track Records

California-based EB-5 projects have historically been led by established national developers with prior institutional equity relationships. The California Department of Financial Protection regularly audits securities offerings, adding a layer of state-level oversight beyond federal SEC requirements.

Free Investor Access

Find Vetted EB-5 Projects in California

Connect directly with SEC-compliant Regional Centers investing in California — no broker, no commission, no fees.

✓No broker fees

✓SEC-compliant listings

✓Free for investors

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California EB-5 Landscape

TEA Landscape

California has extensive high-unemployment TEA coverage in Los Angeles County, East Bay, and Central Valley. Rural TEA projects are available in the Central Valley and Northern California wine country. USCIS TEA designations in California are determined using census tract unemployment data, not state-level gerrymandering (prohibited under the 2022 Reform Act).

Attorney Availability

California is home to the highest concentration of EB-5-specialized immigration attorneys in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles (downtown/Century City), San Francisco (Financial District), and Silicon Valley. Most California attorneys have experience with both direct EB-5 investments and Regional Center programs.

Common Project Types

Luxury multifamily (LA, SF)Hotel/hospitality (LA, San Diego)Mixed-use urban infill (Bay Area)Industrial/logistics (Inland Empire)Senior housing (OC/San Diego)

Major Investor Cities

Los AngelesSan FranciscoSan JoseSan DiegoIrvine

Frequently Asked Questions

California-specific questions from EB-5 investors.

What is the minimum EB-5 investment in California?

The minimum EB-5 investment in California is $800,000 for projects located in a USCIS-designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA) — either a high-unemployment urban census tract or a rural area. Non-TEA California projects require $1,050,000. Most active California EB-5 projects are in TEA-qualified locations.

How many Regional Centers operate in California?

California has more USCIS-designated Regional Centers than any other state, with over 47 active designations as of 2024. They are concentrated in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego. Investors should verify current active status on the USCIS website, as designations change.

Are California EB-5 projects in TEA zones?

Many California projects qualify for TEA status. Urban high-unemployment TEAs are common in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Central Valley cities. Projects must have their TEA status verified by USCIS at the project level — state designation letters are no longer valid under the 2022 Reform Act.

Can I visit California project sites before investing?

Yes — and you should. Reputable Regional Centers encourage site visits. Before committing $800K+, visit the project location, review the construction timeline with the development team, and request a meeting with the regional center principals. Never invest in a California project sight-unseen.

What types of EB-5 projects are most common in California?

California EB-5 projects are predominantly luxury multifamily residential (Los Angeles, Bay Area), hotel/hospitality (Los Angeles, San Diego), and mixed-use urban infill (Bay Area). Industrial and logistics projects in the Inland Empire are emerging as an EB-5 asset class in California.

Ready to Explore California EB-5 Projects?

Browse active California Regional Centers, or check your EB-5 eligibility with our free timeline estimator.

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Related EB-5 Guides

Nothing on this page constitutes investment or legal advice. EB-5 involves substantial risk, including the risk of total loss of capital and denial of immigration benefits. Consult a licensed immigration attorney and a qualified financial advisor before making any EB-5 investment decision. Regional Center counts and TEA designations are subject to change; verify current status on the official USCIS website.