United States

Buying property in the US as a foreigner

Foreigners can buy property in the US, but it gives no visa or residency.

1 min read Updated

Contents
  1. Key points
  2. Purchase steps
  3. Frequently asked questions

Foreign nationals can buy property in the US, but buying property gives no visa or residency; you need a separate visa to stay. The EB-5 investor visa is an investment in a job-creating project, not a personal home purchase. Iranian nationals face serious sanctions limits on purchases, transfers and bank accounts.

Key points

TopicDetails
ResidencyNone
MortgagesPossible for non-residents, with larger deposits and stricter terms
Annual taxProperty tax by state and county
SaleUnder FIRPTA part of the sale price is withheld for foreign sellers' tax

Purchase steps

  1. Check that the purchase is legally possible given your nationality and source of funds
  2. Choose the property and make an offer
  3. Inspection, appraisal and title insurance
  4. Closing through an escrow company

Frequently asked questions

Does buying property in the US give a green card?

No. The investor green card (EB-5) has separate requirements. See investing in the US.

Can Iranians buy property in the US?

Sanctions severely limit transfers and transactions for Iranian nationals and residents; do not act without precise legal advice.

Can foreigners get a US mortgage?

Some lenders offer non-resident mortgages, usually with higher deposits and rates.

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