Can I invest in real estate in the U.S. with an O-1?

Yes. Purchasing and investing in real estate in the United States is generally permitted for foreign nationals regardless of visa type, and that includes those in the country on an O-1. Holding this visa is not a barrier to acquiring property.

The important caveat is that the O-1 is issued for a specific purpose: to perform the extraordinary ability activity that supported the petition. Investing in real estate cannot replace that activity. The investment functions as something parallel to the visa’s primary purpose.

In practice, as long as you maintain the work or project that sustains your O-1, allocating funds to real estate typically does not create a conflict. The key is to avoid turning the management of those assets into a new occupation that undermines the basis of the visa.

Because immigration rules and investment regulations can be complex and subject to change, it is worth consulting official sources and qualified specialists to evaluate your situation before investing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.