Getting a mortgage as an H-1B visa holder
H-1B visa holders are, in most lenders' eyes, strong borrowers: you have a Social Security number, verifiable W-2 employment, and often a high salary. Eligibility is rarely the obstacle — H-1B holders can typically access the same conventional and FHA loans as citizens.
What lenders scrutinize is continuity: a work visa is temporary and tied to your employer, so an underwriter wants comfort that your income and residency will continue. Knowing how to document that turns a 'maybe' into an approval.
Credit history
Because you have an SSN, you build a standard U.S. credit file. Most H-1B holders qualify on a normal FICO score. If your credit is thin because you arrived recently, lenders can sometimes use non-traditional credit (rent, utilities) to supplement — but a 12+ month domestic credit history makes everything smoother.
Income documentation
Most H-1B holders are W-2 employees, which is the easiest income type to document — pay stubs, two years of W-2s, and a verification of employment. If you're self-employed under H-1B (less common, and subject to immigration rules), you go through the standard self-employed analysis. Foreign income earned before arriving generally isn't counted unless it continues.
If you’re self-employed on top of your status, the self-employed mortgage guide and bank statement loans cover how your business income qualifies.
Down payment
Standard. Conventional loans can go as low as 3–5% down and FHA as low as 3.5% with a valid SSN and Employment Authorization. There is no special 'visa surcharge' down payment for H-1B holders on agency loans — you're treated like any qualified borrower.
Loan programs open to you
- Conventional (Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac) — available with valid SSN and work authorization
- FHA — explicitly permits non-permanent residents with a valid SSN and EAD
- Jumbo — available, though some lenders add visa-continuity overlays
- VA / USDA — only if otherwise eligible (VA requires qualifying service)
Best-fit path
Conventional loan — With an SSN, W-2 income, and decent credit, most H-1B holders qualify conventionally at the best available rate and lowest down payment. Start here before considering anything specialized.
Also worth comparing:
- FHA loan — A strong fallback if your credit is still building or your down payment is small — FHA explicitly allows non-permanent residents with a valid SSN and EAD.
- Self-employed programs — If you have permissible self-employment income, the bank statement and 1099 paths apply the same way they do for any self-employed borrower.
Compare every option side by side on the loan types page, or take the 5-question loan quiz.
Key consideration: visa continuity, not eligibility
Document checklist
FAQ
Yes. With a valid SSN and work authorization, H-1B holders can access conventional and FHA loans on the same terms as other qualified borrowers. FHA explicitly allows non-permanent residents with a valid SSN and EAD. Eligibility is rarely the issue — documentation of continued employment is what lenders focus on.
Generally no. On agency loans (conventional, FHA), H-1B holders qualify for standard low-down-payment options — as little as 3–5% conventional or 3.5% FHA. Some jumbo lenders add overlays, but there's no across-the-board visa surcharge.
It depends on the lender's overlays. Some want a certain amount of time remaining or a letter about renewal likelihood; others simply require an unexpired status. If one lender balks at your timeline, it's worth checking another. For the immigration side of renewal, consult an immigration attorney.
Educational information only — not financial, immigration, or legal advice, and not a quote, pre-approval, or offer of credit. Program availability and ranges are illustrative and vary by lender. Mortgage Merlin is a publisher, not a lender or broker.