Can I get a mortgage on an H-1B visa?
The full answer
H-1B holders are usually strong mortgage candidates: an SSN, verifiable W-2 income, and often a high salary. Eligibility is rarely the obstacle — you can typically get the same conventional and FHA loans as a citizen, at down payments as low as 3–5% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA).
What lenders examine is continuity. Because a work visa is temporary and employer-tied, an underwriter wants comfort that your income will continue — an unexpired EAD/visa, and sometimes an employer letter about ongoing employment or routine renewal. Some lenders add overlays around remaining visa time; others don't, so it's worth shopping if one lender is rigid.
The same logic applies to other work visas (L-1, O-1, TN). Your income type matters too: most visa holders are W-2 employees, but a self-employed visa holder follows the standard self-employed analysis.
Related questions
- Can I buy a house with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?
- Can I get a mortgage with foreign income?
- How much down payment do you need for a self-employed mortgage?
Sources
Educational information only — not financial advice, and not a quote, pre-approval, or offer of credit. Program rules and ranges are illustrative and vary by lender. Mortgage Merlin is a publisher, not a lender or broker.