H-1B newcomer · 2 yrs US credit · conventional
| Borrower | H-1B software engineer (W-2) |
| Self-employed | N/A |
| Credit | 730 |
| Program | Conventional (non-permanent resident) |
| Price | $610,000 (illustrative) |
| Down payment | 10% |
| State | NJ |
| Outcome | Approved |
The scenario
This engineer arrived on an H-1B visa, had a Social Security number, and built a U.S. credit file over two years to a 730 score. As a W-2 employee with a strong salary, eligibility was never really the issue — the questions were continuity and documentation.
The lender treated them as a non-permanent resident alien, which conventional programs allow with valid work authorization. With two years of U.S. credit, steady W-2 income, and a documented Employment Authorization, the loan was approved with just 10% down — no visa surcharge, no special program needed.
What made it work
- Valid SSN and Employment Authorization Document
- Two years of U.S. credit history (730 score)
- Steady W-2 income from a single employer
- Conventional pricing — treated like any qualified borrower
Lessons you can use
A visa is not a barrier to conventional financing
Conventional programs explicitly allow non-permanent resident aliens with valid work authorization. H-1B holders with an SSN and a U.S. credit file are typically treated like any other qualified borrower — there's no separate 'visa loan' or down-payment penalty on agency products.
Continuity is the real question
Because a work visa is temporary and employer-tied, underwriters want comfort that income will continue. A stable employer, a history of visa renewals, and sometimes a letter addressing employment continuity answer the question. Borrowers who anticipate it sail through; those who don't can stall on a single condition.
Build the U.S. credit file early
The smoothest newcomer approvals come from borrowers who started a secured card or small loan soon after arriving. Two years of domestic credit converts a thin, hard-to-score file into an ordinary one — and that, more than income, is what often separates an easy approval from a manual headache.
Your next step
If this scenario rhymes with your situation, start with ITIN & newcomer mortgages for the full picture, then run your own numbers with the ITIN & newcomer path finder. Every real application is different — use these scenarios to learn the patterns, then confirm specifics with a licensed loan officer.
This profile is a composite educational scenario created by Mortgage Merlin editorial staff — not a real person, transaction, or testimonial. Figures are illustrative and not a quote, pre-approval, or offer of credit. Mortgage Merlin is a publisher, not a lender or broker.