Investing in the USA: 10 Steps to Investing as an Immigrant

In recent years, Hispanics have experienced greater financial and legal security, which has encouraged them investing in the USA to strengthen their economic prosperity.

In fact, many members of the Hispanic and Latino community living in the United States are turning to investments to generate sustainable returns or income over time, and not depend on a job.

In addition, due to the current situation we are living in, we are aware that saving money in cash, and even in a bank account, is not such a wise decision at this time.

Is it profitable to invest in the United States?

Despite the recent volatility that stock market prices are experiencing, many financial experts agree that this is a good time to invest money.

Additionally, it is important for you to know that consistency is a decisive factor when it comes to building wealth.

If you are Hispanic, live in the United States (or are thinking of migrating to this country), and want to start building your wealth, you should pay attention to the recommendations of the best financial planners.

According to a CNBC report, it is best to invest in the U.S. for the long term. It is also important to note that younger investors have the upper hand.

This is because they have more time to plan their investments (in view of their eventual retirement).

Right now, investments in the USA are still profitable, both for Americans and Latino immigrants. So pay close attention to the following tips to start investing in the United States.

Investing in the U.S. as an immigrant

Before sharing with you some steps to make investments in the USA, it is important that you understand in depth the meaning of “investing”.

In simple words, this action consists of buying a monetary asset in the hope that it will pay off in the future.

Investing is a great strategy to make your savings and wealth grow.

Nowadays, immigrants have multiple tools and mechanisms available to them to make investments in the USA.

In fact, they can become investors despite not having a Social Security Number, and without the need to inject large sums of money into a business.

Investments are crucial for immigrants, as they allow them to scale their small businesses, diversify their sources of income and build wealth.

Saving in itself is beneficial, but it is not always enough to build wealth. Instead, if you decide to invest, you are likely to multiply your income over time.

Believe it or not, smart investments (those that appeal to financial intelligence) are not comparable to simply saving money.

If you are an immigrant, and even if you do not currently define your immigration status, you have the possibility of successfully investing money in the United States.

But in those cases you should contact an experienced financial advisor to help you with the corresponding procedures, and allow you to move in the right direction in terms of investments.

How to invest in the USA from scratch:

If you would like to know some steps to make investments in the USA as an immigrant, we invite you to continue reading carefully:

1. Identify the type of investment you want to make

There are multiple investment options or strategies that can be executed in the United States.

However, you should limit your list to the options that are within your reach, taking into consideration your immigration status, your initial capital and your real investment expectations.

These are the main investment mechanisms you could take advantage of if you are Hispanic and want to start a small business in the USA:

Bonds:
Bonds offer you fixed income and work as loans that you borrow from an issuer (it can be a company or the government itself).

In exchange you commit to make regular interest payments. Basically, the invested capital is amortized when the bonds reach their maturity date.

One of the biggest advantages of these investment instruments is that you can buy them regardless of your citizenship (as this is not a legal investment requirement).

If you would like to buy a U.S. Government bond you will need to present your Social Security Number.

Although there are also brokers who can sell you bonds with your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Another good news is that you don’t need a lot of money to invest in some bonds in the U.S. stock market.

In fact, you have the option of buying a U.S. exchange-traded fund for less than $100.

However, you should keep in mind that the yield on these financial instruments is lower than that of funds and stocks.

Real estate:

U.S. real estate is another investment in the U.S. that most interests immigrants (especially those of Hispanic origin).

This is because they have the possibility of generating future profits, in case the property is sold at a higher price, or if it is rented and generates constant rents.

In parallel, investors are aware that real estate investments are ideal for generating passive income.

Therefore, the idea of producing money while they sleep is tempting, attractive and idealistic.

Immigrants who wish to operate a small business could take great advantage of this type of investment on U.S. soil.

Investments under six figures:

Currently, it is not mandatory to be a U.S. citizen to purchase real estate in this North American country.

In fact, there are solid and reliable lenders for the Hispanic community, such as Latino Community Credit Union, that can become your great financial allies.

Especially when it comes to applying for mortgage loans, since they can initiate the process by simply presenting their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

On the other hand, you do not need six or seven figures to invest in a property in the USA. For example, if you wanted to buy a small $80,000 apartment, you would need to make a down payment of $16,000.

The reason for this is that most lenders require a down payment equal to 20% of the value of the property.

Stocks and funds:

A fund functions as a pool of capital that pursues a particular purpose. There are several types, as would be the case of funds:

• Indexed.
• Listed investment funds (also known as ETFs).
• Investment funds.

You also have many facilities to invest in stocks if you are an immigrant and have Hispanic ancestry.

In any case, you would be buying a stake in the U.S. stock market. In other words, you would be investing in a small portion of the profits and assets of a given company.

It is important to emphasize that by investing in funds or shares you are buying a part of that company, and therefore, you are becoming a new shareholder.

Right now you can make this type of investment in the USA without being an American citizen, or without having a specific visa.

Nor do you need to comply with any specific immigrant condition to become an owner of funds and shares in this country.

As for investment capital, you might be surprised to learn that you can buy a publicly traded fund for less than $0.

2. Research the product or company before investing.

Do not make the mistake of investing in very risky financial instruments, let alone making investment decisions without first researching the market.

This process of analysis and research also implies knowing the company or product in which you would like to invest money.

At the same time, it implies estimating the returns that the investment instrument would generate, and its possible associated risks.

If you do not know where to start, or you have many doubts and questions, do not hesitate to contact an investment advisor as soon as possible.

That way you will know what to expect, you will understand how to invest your money and you will know the profitability that this action could generate in the short, medium or long term.

3. Analyze the benefits and risks of the investment

Perhaps you have already read it, but it is necessary to emphasize that every investment entails a risk.

And no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, you cannot underestimate it, much less overlook it.

Remember that information is power. Therefore, the more informed you are about the risks you may face in the future, the better prepared you will be to overcome them.

Talk to your trusted financial planner about the benefits and risks of the investment you have in mind before making any cash outlays.

4. Don’t invest without control

Although this mistake is more common among wealthier investors, it could also happen to you if you get careless, or if you stray from the goal.

If you have little money to make a first investment, you cannot afford to make the wrong decisions.

Nor can you commit your savings, or use your emergency fund to amortize debts or losses derived from your investment.

The wisest thing to do is to limit yourself to investing the money you are allowed to lose (depending on market fluctuations and volatility).

It is crucial that you know that you cannot use your health, subsistence or education funds to make investments in the USA (no matter how small).

5. Know how to invest without Social Security

Many investors need a Social Security Number to invest in profitable businesses in the United States.

But the truth is that not all immigrants meet the requirements and conditions necessary to apply for one.

Therefore, their best alternative is to evaluate investment options that allow them to operate with a Social Security Number:

• Employer Identification Number.
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

The latter can be obtained through the federal W-7 form (if you file your federal taxes with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS).

Indeed, with this number you could apply for a business loan to run your own business in this first world country.

This number is very useful for tax purposes and is also extremely beneficial for business or entrepreneurial purposes.

6. Evaluate if you need a loan

Commercial loans also serve as forms of investment. This is because they allow you to scale your business and maximize your profits in the future.

But best of all, you can apply for business loans for immigrants without having U.S. citizenship.

Although there are some credit limitations for immigrants who do not have a Social Security Number, they can still become investors.

To do so, they must use their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and provide some basic documentation.

With some lenders, up to $400,000 dollars can be processed (without so much bureaucracy and with friendlier interest rates for immigrants). These are other advantages:

• They don’t require you to have a minimum credit score. In fact, you can apply for a commercial loan with no credit history.
• You can apply for financing without a financial guarantor.
• You have the option to apply for a second loan, for a larger amount, if you make payments on time for eight months.

7. Make a projection of your earnings

Making a projection of your earnings will help you have more realistic financial expectations.

It is essential that you estimate the amount of money you could generate with your new business before investing a single dollar.

This way you will be able to know with greater certainty whether or not you should invest in a certain asset, product or company.

It is true that all investments are risky, but if you trust too much you could end up frustrated, or even worse, feel swindled at some point.

8. Diversify your investments

Investment diversification is the best strategy to reduce risk. This implies investing in several financial instruments, instead of injecting capital into a single project.

That way, if any investment goes bad, you will not lose all your money, since you will have a broader and more versatile portfolio.

By diversifying, you will protect your money, and at the same time, you will receive a higher return in the long term.

9. Monitor your investments frequently

Monitoring your investments on a regular basis is essential to have a better control of your finances, evaluate the performance of your investment more efficiently and take the appropriate corrective measures.

The investor’s role is not limited to making mere monetary disbursements. On the contrary, it is more extensive than you imagine.

It involves knowing the market, being aware of the fluctuations that could occur, studying investment instruments in depth, cultivating your financial intelligence, analyzing trends and more.

The more rigorous you are with the supervision of your investments, the more possibilities you will have to get the most out of your money and reach your financial freedom.

10. Use reliable platforms

Today you can make investments in the USA from the comfort of your own home, thanks to numerous investment platforms available on the market.

Indeed, you can buy shares in the online stock market from wherever you are, quickly and safely.

However, you must be sure to use brokers or automated investment managers that are credible and solid.

Many of them allow you to invest in stocks, funds, bonds or companies from three figures or less.

For example, Wealthfront offers you the option of investing in bonds with little money (in fact, the minimum deposit is $500).

You can also use platforms such as Robinhood, Acorns or Betterment to channel your investments with little money from anywhere in the world.

Don’t forget to research these platforms thoroughly before making deposits, or making investments, so that you don’t fall victim to fraud or online scams.

Invest in the USA and start building wealth:

Hispanic immigrants have many possibilities to make investments in the USA with little money, and even, without possessing a credit history or a Social Security Number.

If you are thinking of taking this important step on a financial scale, remember that experts consider this to be a great time (given the current conditions of the US stock market).

Basically, you could take advantage of falling prices to make investments that will allow you to make upside gains in the future.

In short, investments can become your trump card to start building wealth in this country, or to successfully conquer your financial independence.