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Chinese Buyer Florida Property: SB 264 Restriction Guide
Florida SB 264 enforced after November 2025 11th Circuit ruling: persons domiciled in China cannot buy Florida property. Non-tourist US visa holders: 1-property exception more than 5 miles from military. Registration required near critical infrastructure. Own Luxury Homes® International Buyer Verification Standard™ Chinese buyer Florida specialists.
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Chinese Buyer Florida Property: SB 264 Restriction Guide
Nov 2025
11th Circuit upheld Florida SB 264 on November 4, 2025
Domicile
Applies to persons domiciled in China, NOT all Chinese citizens or ethnicity
Exception
Non-tourist visa holders: 1 property, under 2 acres, more than 5 miles from military
Alternative
Texas also restricts; New York, Arizona, Nevada have no equivalent law
Florida SB 264's November 2025 enforcement ruling is the most significant legal development in Florida international real estate in years. Chinese nationals considering Florida property need to know immediately whether they are restricted and what their options are.
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Who Is Restricted by Florida SB 264
Florida SB 264, upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on November 4, 2025, prohibits persons domiciled in China who are not US citizens or green card holders from purchasing real estate in Florida. This is the most important recent development in Florida international real estate law.
| Chinese Buyer Profile | Permitted to Buy Florida Property? |
|---|---|
| Chinese citizen domiciled in China, no US visa | No |
| Chinese citizen on H-1B, L-1, O-1 (residing in Florida) | Yes |
| Chinese citizen with US green card | Yes |
| Chinese-American dual citizen | Yes |
| Hong Kong permanent resident (domiciled in HK) | Generally Yes |
| Chinese citizen on tourist visa only, domiciled in China | No |
See: Full Florida SB 264 Guide for Chinese Buyers.
The Exception and Registration Requirement
SB 264 includes a narrow exception: non-tourist visa holders may purchase ONE residential property under 2 acres that is at least 5 miles from any military installation or critical infrastructure. Registration requirement: Chinese citizens owning Florida property within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure must register with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Failure to register is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Alternative: Texas, New York, Arizona, Nevada
Chinese nationals domiciled in China who are restricted from Florida should consider other major US states. Texas SB 17 (effective September 2025) also imposes restrictions on Chinese nationals. New York, Arizona, and Nevada do not have equivalent restrictions. Florida and Texas restrictions do not apply to other US states.
What to Do if You Are Restricted
Chinese nationals domiciled in China who are restricted from direct Florida property ownership should consult a US real estate attorney about compliant ownership structures. Simple LLC ownership by a restricted individual does NOT avoid SB 264. See: Ownership Structures Guide and Full SB 264 Guide.
Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO — Own Luxury Homes®
“The Chinese buyer who calls me about Florida property gets the same first question: where are you currently domiciled? That question determines everything. Living in Shenzhen and wanting to buy Miami is a different conversation from living in Miami on an H-1B and wanting to buy.”
Own Luxury Homes® — International buyer specialists in every major US market. International Buyer Verification Standard™. No dual agency. Contact us now ›
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Chinese citizen buy property in Florida after the November 2025 ruling?
It depends on domicile. Chinese nationals domiciled in China who are not US citizens or green card holders cannot buy Florida property. Chinese nationals living in Florida on work visas are generally not domiciled in China and can buy.
What states have no Chinese buyer property restrictions?
New York, California, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, and most other US states do not have Florida or Texas-style foreign buyer restrictions.
What is the fastest path for a restricted Chinese national to buy Florida property?
Obtaining US permanent residence through EB-5 ($800K investment) removes all restrictions. A non-tourist US visa may qualify for the narrow SB 264 exception.
"The introduction Own Luxury Homes® makes is to a specialist with documented closing history in your specific market — not the county, not the metro, the submarket you're actually selling or buying in. That's the standard we verify before your name goes anywhere."
— Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO, Own Luxury Homes® (FL License BK3626873)