The EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residency through investment. Here is how it relates to real estate in South Florida and what prospective investors should understand.
The EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residency through investment. Here is how it relates to real estate in South Florida, and what prospective investors should understand.
Among the international investors who come to South Florida, a portion arrive through or are exploring the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. It is one of the most discussed topics in international investment circles, and it is also one of the most misunderstood, particularly when it comes to how real estate fits into the picture.
This guide explains what the EB-5 program is in general terms, clarifies the relationship between EB-5 and real estate, and covers what EB-5 investors living in South Florida should know about buying a home here. This is educational information only, not legal or immigration advice. The EB-5 program is governed by U.S. immigration law, its requirements are detailed and change over time, and every investor's situation is different. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney before making any decisions related to the program.
The EB-5 program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, provides a path to lawful permanent residency, commonly known as a green card, for foreign investors who make a qualifying investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates jobs for American workers. Unlike the E-2 visa, which is a temporary nonimmigrant visa, the EB-5 leads to permanent residency for the investor, their spouse, and their unmarried children under 21.
The program requires a substantial minimum investment, with a lower threshold for investments in targeted employment areas, along with the creation of a required number of full time jobs. The specific investment amounts, job creation requirements, processing considerations, and eligibility rules are defined by law and regulation and have changed over the years, most recently through the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. What the current requirements are, and how they apply to your situation, are questions for an immigration attorney.
Real estate and EB-5 intersect in a specific way: real estate development projects are among the most common vehicles for EB-5 investment. Large residential towers, hotels, and mixed use developments, including many built across Miami over the past two decades, have been financed in part with EB-5 investor capital pooled through regional centers. In those cases, the investor's qualifying investment is in the development enterprise and the jobs it creates, not in owning a particular unit or property.
This is fundamentally different from an individual buying a condo or house. Whether any particular project, structure, or investment qualifies under the program, and how to evaluate a regional center or project offering, are detailed legal and financial due diligence questions. Those belong with an immigration attorney and qualified financial and securities professionals, not a real estate agent.
Here is where our work with EB-5 families begins. Investors going through the EB-5 process, and those who have received their green cards through it, are free to purchase residential real estate in the United States like any other buyer. Many EB-5 families relocating to South Florida want to establish a home base for their children's schooling and their new life here, often in areas like Doral, Weston, Coral Gables, or the coastal communities.
There is an important practical difference from other international buyers: EB-5 investors are on a path to permanent residency. Once permanent residency is obtained, they may qualify for benefits available to Florida residents who make the home their permanent primary residence, such as the homestead exemption, and for financing options that are harder to access as a nonresident. The timing of a purchase relative to the immigration process can therefore have real financial implications, which is another reason coordinated professional advice matters. Read our Florida homestead exemption guide to understand that benefit.
South Florida has long been one of the most active regions in the country for international investment migration. The reasons compound: no state income tax, direct flights to Latin America, Europe, and beyond, established international banking, strong private and public school options, and communities where doing business in Spanish, Portuguese, or other languages is normal daily life. For families making the significant commitment the EB-5 path requires, South Florida offers a landing that feels both global and familiar. Doral in particular has become a hub for international families, which is a large part of the community we have served for over 24 years.
For related reading, see our guides on the E-2 investor visa and Florida real estate and FIRPTA for foreign sellers.
InvesTeam Realty has guided international families through South Florida home purchases for over 24 years, in English and Spanish. We handle the real estate and connect you with the immigration, tax, and lending professionals you need. Contact us to get started.
Talk to an Agent →This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, tax, financial, or investment advice. The EB-5 program is governed by U.S. immigration law, its requirements change over time, and individual circumstances vary. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney and other licensed professionals before making any decisions.
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