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. On conventional loans, eligibility is rarely the obstacle — you typically qualify on the same terms as a citizen, at down payments as low as 3–5%. (FHA stopped accepting non-permanent residents under a May 2025 HUD policy change, so the FHA route is off the table until permanent residency.)
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.
How much time left on the visa do lenders want?
Many want at least a year on the current authorization, though a pending renewal with an employer letter often satisfies it. Fannie Mae sets no fixed minimum, so this is largely a lender overlay and varies between lenders.
Do H-1B holders need a larger down payment?
No. With a valid Social Security number and work authorization, the same 3–5% down conventional programs apply. Larger down payments belong to foreign-national and non-QM loans, which serve borrowers who lack that documentation.
Related questions
If this came up, these usually do too — the short answer to each, with a link to the full breakdown:
- Can I buy a house with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?Yes. While conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans require a Social Security number, ITIN mortgage programs from portfolio lenders, community…
- Can I get a mortgage with foreign income?Sometimes. U.S. lenders generally count foreign income only if it continues after you move and can be verified — often needing translated…
- How much down payment do you need for a self-employed mortgage?It depends on the loan, not on being self-employed. Conventional loans start at 3–5% down and FHA at 3.5%, with the same minimums for…
Sources
- HUD.gov
- CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- USCIS — Working in the United States
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide
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.