Buy Property in Miami Without a US Visa

The Biggest Myth in International Real Estate

There is a widespread myth among Latin American and international buyers that stops thousands of investments every year: the belief that you need a US visa to buy property in Miami. This is completely false.

The reality is that foreign citizens — regardless of whether they have a visa, a green card, or any immigration status at all — have the full legal right to purchase real estate in the United States. And more importantly: there are mortgage programs specifically designed for international buyers who have no US visa, no US credit history, and no intention of living here full-time.

At Home Financial Group, we work with buyers from across Latin America and the world who purchase properties in Miami with no US visa. If you are a citizen of Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, or another country, this article is for you.

What Is a No-Visa Mortgage Program?

No-visa mortgage programs — known as Foreign National No-Visa Mortgage Programs or Foreign National Investor Programs — are financial products offered by lenders that specialize in non-resident international buyers.

These programs recognize a simple reality: a buyer in Bogotá, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, or Mexico City can have solid assets, stable income, and an excellent banking history in their home country — even if they have never had a US bank account or Social Security number. Specialized lenders know how to evaluate that financial profile using documentation from your home country.

What matters is not your immigration status. What matters is your financial strength.

Do I Really Not Need a Visa to Buy?

Correct. You do not need any of the following to buy property in Miami:

• Tourist visa (B1/B2)
• Work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.)
• Green card or permanent residence
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• US credit history
• US bank account

All you need is a valid passport from your home country, solid financial documentation, and the right program. Our team at Home Financial Group LLC — NMLS# 305389, based in Oakland Park, Florida — specializes in exactly this.

Who Qualifies for a No-Visa Program?

You may qualify for a no-visa mortgage program if you meet the following general criteria:

• You are a citizen of a country that does not have active US economic sanctions (the vast majority of Latin American countries qualify)
• You can verify your identity with a valid passport (minimum 6 months of validity beyond the expected closing date)
• You have sufficient funds for the down payment (typically 25–30%), closing costs (2–3%), and 12 months of reserves
• You can provide bank reference letters from 2 to 3 established banks in your country, with at least a 2-year banking relationship
• You can document your income through an employment letter, home country tax returns, or business financial statements
• You have no bankruptcy or foreclosure history in the last 7 years

Down Payment Requirements: How Much Do I Need?

The down payment for foreign buyers without a US visa is higher than for US residents. This reflects the different risk profile perceived by lenders. Typical ranges are:

• ESTA countries (Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, Chile): 25% of the purchase price — the lowest tier available
• Non-ESTA Latin American countries (Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, etc.): 30% of the purchase price as a general rule
• Condominiums: Add 5% to the base percentage (applies only if the condo has rental restrictions or is non-warrantable)
• Multi-unit properties (2–4 units): Add 10% to the base percentage

For a complete breakdown by country, see our article on down payment requirements by country. Use our free mortgage calculator to estimate your exact costs.

Documentation Required for the No-Visa Program

Since there is no US credit history, lenders require a strong documentation package to demonstrate your financial solvency through your home country. Here is what you will need:

Identity Documents

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months of validity beyond closing)
• In some cases, an additional national identity document (national ID, etc.)

Bank References

• Reference letters from 2 to 3 banks in your country confirming account types, length of relationship (minimum 2 years), approximate balances, and payment behavior
• Letters must be on official bank letterhead with verifiable contact information
• Bank statements for the last 12 to 24 months (all pages, including pages with no activity)

Income Verification

• Employed: Employment letter on company letterhead stating position, salary, start date, and signed by HR or management
• Self-employed or business owners: Last 2 years of tax returns, business financial statements (income statement and balance sheet), and a letter from a certified accountant or auditor
• Retirees or passive income earners: Pension documentation, dividends, rental income, or other passive income sources

Source of Funds

• Documentation showing where the down payment funds came from. Acceptable sources include: salary savings, business income, sale of real estate, sale of investments, inheritance
• Large deposits in the last 60 days must be individually explained with supporting documentation

Foreign Credit Reference

• Letter from a bank or credit bureau in your country confirming your payment history on loans, credit cards, or other credit obligations
• If your country does not have a formal credit bureau, bank reference letters may suffice

The Purchase Process Step by Step

1. Mortgage pre-qualification: Before searching for a property, speak with our team to determine how much you can finance and what documents you will need. This gives you a concrete number to negotiate with.
2. Property search: Work with a real estate agent who specializes in international buyers. They can show you properties via live video tours, drone footage, and detailed photo packages. We partner with agents who specialize in remote international transactions across South Florida.
3. Offer and contract: Your agent drafts the offer. It is standard to include a financing contingency that protects you if the loan is not approved.
4. Formal mortgage application: We submit the complete documentation package to the lender. Everything is done electronically — no physical presence is required.
5. Appraisal and inspection: A licensed appraiser and inspector visit the property on your behalf. You receive complete reports with photographs.
6. Approval and closing: Once the loan is approved, the closing is coordinated. You can sign in person if you are in Miami, or remotely with properly notarized and apostilled powers of attorney.

Remote Closing: Can I Buy Without Traveling to Miami?

Yes — many of our international clients complete the entire transaction without setting foot in Florida. This is completely legal and increasingly common. Remote online notarization (RON) allows you to sign all closing documents from your country in front of a virtual notary. Florida is one of the pioneer states in allowing this process.

Alternatively, you can grant a power of attorney to a trusted representative in Miami to sign on your behalf. The power of attorney must be authenticated by a notary in your country and apostilled under the Hague Convention.

FIRPTA: What Every Foreign Buyer Must Know

FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) is a federal law that primarily affects foreign buyers when they sell their property, not when they buy. However, it is important to understand it from the beginning to plan correctly.

When a foreigner sells a property in the US, the buyer is legally required to withhold 15% of the sale price and send it to the IRS as a tax withholding. This withholding is an advance payment of the capital gains tax.

Key points about FIRPTA:

• It applies only at the time of sale, not purchase
• If the actual capital gains tax is less than the 15% withheld, you can request a refund from the IRS
• Exemptions exist if the property is worth less than $300,000 and the buyer will use it as their primary residence
• Structuring the purchase correctly from the start (for example, through an LLC) can have important implications for FIRPTA — consult a tax attorney before deciding

Start Your Process Today

At Home Financial Group LLC (NMLS# 305389), based in Oakland Park, Florida, we have spent years helping international buyers acquire their Miami property without a US visa. Our specialist, Medardo F. Cevallos (NMLS# 305965), is fluent in Spanish and deeply familiar with the programs available for Latin American buyers.

The first step is a no-cost consultation where we evaluate your situation, explain which programs apply to your case, and give you a real estimate of how much you can finance.

Call us at (954) 663-3619 or visit global.homefg.com to get started. You can also view all available programs on our no-visa program page.

Home Financial Group LLC. NMLS# 305389. Oakland Park, FL. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer of credit. Programs and requirements are subject to change. Consult a licensed mortgage lender for information specific to your situation.