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Can a Taiwanese Citizen Buy Property in the USA? Complete Guide
Taiwanese buyers: 90-day ESTA (VWP since 2012). NOT subject to Florida SB264 or Texas HB17. Arcadia/San Marino legacy buyers since 1970s (now $2M-$4M). NTD ~31/USD. No US-Taiwan treaties. Own Luxury Homes® 12-Point Agent Integrity Audit™.
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Can a Taiwanese Citizen Buy Property in the USA? Complete Guide
NOT China
Taiwanese nationals are NOT subject to Florida SB264 or Texas HB17 — Taiwan is legally distinct from the People’s Republic of China
1970s
Taiwanese families began buying in Arcadia and San Marino in the 1970s — decades before mainland Chinese buyers
ESTA
Taiwan has been in the US Visa Waiver Program since 2012 — Taiwanese citizens travel on 90-day ESTA
~31
New Taiwan Dollar per USD — relatively stable, managed float
Yes — Taiwanese citizens can buy property in the United States with no restrictions, in all 50 states. Taiwan is legally distinct from the People’s Republic of China. The Florida SB264 law and Texas HB17 target nationals of the PRC, not nationals of Taiwan (ROC). Taiwanese buyers are not subject to any state restriction laws in the US. This distinction is critical and widely misunderstood. Taiwanese families have been among the most established Asian buyer communities in the US real estate market for over 50 years — predating the mainland Chinese buyer wave by decades.
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Taiwan Is Not China: The Legal Distinction
Florida SB264 and Texas HB17 target nationals of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan’s government is the Republic of China (ROC). Taiwanese nationals travel on ROC passports. Under both Florida and Texas law, Taiwanese nationals are not within the restricted nationality definition. A Taiwanese citizen buying in Miami or Austin faces no state restriction of any kind. This applies to: citizens of Taiwan (ROC), regardless of ethnic background. The specialist who knows this distinction prevents unnecessary concern among Taiwanese buyers who have read about the Florida law.
The Arcadia/San Marino Legacy
Arcadia and San Marino in the San Gabriel Valley have been the primary Taiwanese-American buyer market for over 50 years. Taiwanese families began purchasing in Arcadia in the 1970s — attracted by the schools, the community, and the California climate. By the time mainland Chinese buyers arrived in the 1980s–1990s, Taiwanese families had already established the cultural and real estate infrastructure that made the San Gabriel Valley the Asian buyer capital of California. Properties purchased by Taiwanese families in the 1970s–1980s for $150K–$300K are now worth $2M–$4M. The long-term appreciation has been among the most significant of any single Asian community market in the US.
NTD/USD and Where Taiwanese Buyers Purchase
The New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) trades at approximately 30–32 NTD per USD — a managed float that has been relatively stable. Taiwan has no capital controls on outbound transfers for property purchases. Primary US markets for Taiwanese buyers: (1) San Gabriel Valley (Arcadia, San Marino, Temple City): the legacy market with 50+ year history. (2) Cupertino, Palo Alto, San Jose: Taiwanese tech professionals at Apple, Google, TSMC-affiliated companies. (3) Manhattan: Taiwanese HNWI investment condominiums. (4) Hawaii: lifestyle market, accessible for 90-day ESTA visits.
Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO Own Luxury Homes®
"The Taiwanese buyer who calls me asking whether they can buy in Florida gets a clear answer: yes, no restrictions. They’re thinking about the law they read. The law targets PRC nationals. They’re ROC nationals. Different country. Different law. Free to buy. Then we talk about Arcadia vs Cupertino."
Related Resources
Guides: US Mortgage for Taiwanese Buyers — Find an Agent
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Taiwanese citizens buy property in Florida?
Yes. Florida SB264 targets PRC (People's Republic of China) nationals. Taiwanese citizens travel on ROC (Republic of China) passports. Taiwan is not subject to the restriction.
When did Taiwanese families start buying in Arcadia?
The 1970s — over 50 years ago, predating mainland Chinese buyers in the San Gabriel Valley by decades. Properties purchased then for $150K-$300K are now worth $2M-$4M.
Can Taiwanese citizens travel to the USA without a visa?
Yes. Taiwan has been in the US Visa Waiver Program since 2012. Taiwanese citizens travel on ESTA ($21, valid 2 years, 90-day stays).
Does Taiwan have a US estate tax treaty?
No. The US does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state for treaty purposes. No income or estate tax treaties exist. Taiwanese nationals face the bare $60,000 exemption.
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— Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO, Own Luxury Homes® (FL License BK3626873)