Although many people believe that investing in real property will open a path to permanent residency in the U.S., this type of investment is generally viewed by immigration as a passive investment, thus not the type of investment that would qualify a foreigner for a visa and/or green card. Immigration instead is looking for investments that will generate jobs as well as move the economy.
Nonetheless, a foreigner may still qualify for a visa and sometimes for the green card, by investing in a business that deals with real estate. For example, a foreigner may qualify for an E-2 or L-1 visa by investing/ opening a business that manages real
estate. The business would have a physical place, would hire employees, may or may not own some properties, and the investment will be in the business operations itself, and not on buying and selling the properties.
Therefore, if you are planning to acquire real estate in order to have immigration benefits, it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to be guided on the type of business you could do to qualify for a visa.