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Can Foreigners Buy Property in the USA? Complete Guide

Yes — foreign nationals can buy property in the United States. No visa required. No citizenship required. No special permits or government approvals. Foreign buyers completed 78,100 US residential property transactions worth $56 billion in the most recent 12-month reporting period — a 44% increase year over year. This guide covers every country, every financing path, every tax obligation, and connects you to the right verified specialist.

Yes — Foreigners Can Buy Property in the USA

There are no US federal laws restricting any foreign national from buying residential or commercial property anywhere in the United States. You do not need a visa. You do not need a green card. You do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident.

What you do need is an understanding of four practical areas: how to finance the purchase without a US credit history, how to transfer money from your home country, how FIRPTA withholding works when you eventually sell, and how US estate tax exposure affects your ownership structure. Every country guide below covers these for your specific nationality.

One important exception: Florida and Texas have enacted laws restricting buyers specifically domiciled in China. California, New York, and most other states have no such restrictions. See the China buyer guide for the full state-by-state breakdown.

Where Foreign Buyers Purchase

The Five Practical Requirements for Foreign Buyers

(1) ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number): required for US tax filing purposes. Applied for using IRS Form W-7. Processing takes 7–11 weeks. Apply before you need it, not at closing. Full guide: ITIN for foreign buyers.

(2) Foreign national mortgage or cash: standard US mortgages require US credit history. Foreign national mortgage programs at portfolio lenders qualify using international credit and income documentation. Down payment: typically 25–40%. Full guide: Foreign national mortgage guide.

(3) FIRPTA awareness (for eventual sale): when you sell US property, the buyer is required to withhold 15% of the gross sales price. A withholding certificate (Form 8288-B) can reduce this to the actual tax owed. Filing the certificate at listing, not at contract, is critical at higher price tiers. Full guide: FIRPTA complete guide.

(4) US estate tax exposure: non-citizens have only a $60,000 US estate tax exemption on US assets — compared to ~$13.6 million for US citizens. A $500,000 property creates significant exposure for non-citizen owners. Foreign corporation ownership addresses this. Full guide: US estate tax for non-citizens.

(5) US real estate attorney: every foreign buyer should retain a licensed US attorney in the property’s state. The attorney reviews title, advises on ownership structure, and ensures FIRPTA and tax compliance at closing.

Does Buying Property Give You a US Green Card?

No. Purchasing US real estate gives zero immigration benefit. No green card. No visa. No right to remain beyond your permitted stay. Owning a $5 million Miami condominium and owning a $200,000 starter home confer identical immigration status: none. Your visa situation is unchanged by the purchase.

The EB-5 investor visa — the only US investment-based immigration path — requires $800,000+ in a job-creating active US business (not a home purchase) and creates 10 full-time US jobs. It is not a residential property program. Full guide: Does buying US property give you a green card?.

Country Guides: Find Yours

Keyword-researched guides for every major buyer nationality. Each guide covers the mortgage path, money transfer, FIRPTA when selling, estate tax exposure, and the specialist introduction.

Cross-Cutting Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in the USA?

Yes. No US federal law restricts any foreign national from buying residential or commercial property. No visa or green card required. Foreign buyers completed 78,100 US property transactions worth $56 billion in the most recent NAR reporting period.

Do I need a US visa to buy property in America?

No. You do not need any visa to purchase US property. However, owning property does not grant you any right to live in the US. Your stay is still limited by your visa status: 90-day ESTA (UK, Australia, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel since Oct 2023), 6-month B-2 visitor visa (Canada, most others), or longer if you hold a US work visa (H-1B, L-1, TN).

Can Chinese nationals buy property in the USA?

It depends on their status and which state. Chinese nationals domiciled in China face restrictions in Florida (SB264, upheld Nov 2025) and Texas (HB17, 2025). California, New York, Maryland, and most other states have no restrictions. Chinese-Americans (US citizens or green card holders) can buy in all 50 states — same as any US buyer. Full guide: China buyer guide including state restriction map.

What do foreign nationals need to buy property in the USA?

ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for tax purposes. Foreign national mortgage or cash for the purchase. US real estate attorney in the property’s state. FIRPTA awareness for the eventual sale. Understanding of US estate tax exposure ($60,000 non-citizen exemption vs ~$13.6M for US citizens).

Which US states are most popular with foreign buyers?

Florida (21% of all foreign purchases, #1 for 15 consecutive years), California (15%), Texas (10%), New York (7%), Arizona (5%). Own Luxury Homes® has verified specialists in all 50 states.

Does buying property in the USA give you US residency?

No. Property ownership creates zero immigration benefit. The EB-5 investor visa requires $800,000+ in a job-creating active US business — not a home purchase. Full answer: Does buying US property give you a green card?.

What is FIRPTA and does it affect foreign buyers?

FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) requires the buyer to withhold 15% of the gross sale price when a foreign person sells US real estate. This affects you as a seller, not at purchase. A Form 8288-B withholding certificate filed at listing reduces this to the actual tax owed. Full guide: FIRPTA complete guide.