                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ALIENS MAY ACQUIRE, HOLD, AND TRANSMIT REAL ESTATE; WHEN RECIPROCITY REQUIRED
(§ 55.1-100)

Any alien, not an enemy, may acquire by purchase or descent and hold real estate
in the Commonwealth, and such real estate shall be transmitted in the same
manner as real estate held by citizens. However, if, at the time of the
transfer, a court of the Commonwealth determines that the laws of a foreign
country or sovereignty effectively deny a Virginia resident, legatee, or
distributee the benefit, use, or control of money or other property held in such
foreign country or sovereignty, a judgment or order issued in the Commonwealth
concerning the rights of a resident of that foreign country or sovereignty to
the benefit, use, or control of money or property held in the Commonwealth may
direct that the money or property be paid into the court for the benefit of the
alien. The money or property paid into court shall be paid out only upon order
of the court or pursuant to the order or judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction. Any of the money or property remaining with the court upon
expiration of three years from the decedent&#8217;s death shall be paid out by
the court as if the alien had predeceased the decedent.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 66; Code 1950, § 55-1; 1993, c. 535; 2019, c. 712.