One of the biggest misconceptions among people considering investing in the U.S. is thinking that buying property guarantees a visa or green card. It does not. They are completely separate things.
Buying a property in the U.S. does not give a visa or green card. Foreigners can own property freely, without a visa. The green card through investment (EB-5) is a separate program, with a high minimum amount and a job-creation requirement, and it is not the same as buying a house.
Buying property does not give a visa
In the U.S., a foreigner can buy and hold property without any residence visa. Being an owner does not create the right to live in the country nor speed up immigration processes. They are different tracks.
What the EB-5 visa is
The EB-5 is the immigrant investor visa: it requires a high minimum investment, set by U.S. law, in an enterprise that creates jobs, within a formal immigration process. Some EB-5 projects are tied to the real-estate sector, but that is different from buying a house for your own use.
So why invest without a visa?
Because most Brazilians' goal is not to emigrate, but to hold assets and income in dollars. You can buy, rent, and profit without ever living in the U.S. See how to dollarize your wealth and passive income in dollars.
Obligations stay in Brazil
Even without a visa, you declare the property: see how to declare it on your income tax and, above US$ 1 million, the CBE Declaration.
Beware of promises
Be skeptical of anyone selling an easy green card by buying property. Visa rules are immigration matters and should be handled with a specialized attorney and official consular channels.
Sources
Buldora analysis. For the FX and remittance side, official Brazilian source: Banco Central do Brasil. Visa and immigration rules should be confirmed with an immigration attorney and consular channels. Informational only; not legal, tax, or investment advice.
This article is part of the complete guide How to Buy Property in Florida as a Brazilian.
