Life insurance is an essential financial planning tool, even for non-US citizens. Your life insurance needs are no different from those of a US citizen here in the United States. If you have a family that depends on you, you need life insurance.

Non-US citizens and foreign nationals can obtain life insurance here in the United States. However, life insurance availability really depends on your situation. In this guide, we discuss how non-US citizens obtain life insurance. We will discuss the requirements, the process, and the types of life insurance available. Here is what we will discuss:

• Summary of Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens
• Can Non-US Citizens Obtain Life Insurance?
• Eligibility and Requirements for Non-US Citizens to Obtain Life Insurance
• Life Insurance Application Process for Non-US Citizens
• Life Insurance Underwriting Process of Non-US Citizens
• Types of Life Insurance Policies Available
• Cost of Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens
• Life Insurance for Green Card Holders
• Life Insurance for H-1B Holders
• Life Insurance for Other VISA Holders
• Life Insurance for DACA Recipients
• Life Insurance for EAD Holders
• Life Insurance for Undocumented Immigrants
• Life Insurance for Foreign Nationals Not Residing in the US
• Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance and Non-US Citizens
• 5 Important Insights Non-US Citizens Need to Remember
• Final Thoughts

Let’s discuss how non-US citizens can obtain life insurance.

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Summary of Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens

If you are going to read any section, read this one for a synopsis of this guide.

Eligibility and Requirements

As a non-US citizen or foreign national, you just can’t apply for life insurance as a US citizen can. Life insurance companies have specific requirements when a non-citizen applies for a life insurance policy. These requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Identification: Life insurance companies are going to want your Social Security number. If you don’t have a Social Security number, they will need your ITIN. If you don’t have either, then you are ineligible for life insurance.
• Immigration status: it matters. A lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) will have more life insurance options than someone on a visa or undocumented. The type of visa you have matters. Immigrant visas demonstrate a permanent intent to remain in the US. Most life insurance companies accept these visas. Non-immigrant visas allow you to work or reside in the US, but it shows a temporary intent to remain in the US. Foreign Nationals living abroad, but with business interests or other significant ties to the US, have life insurance options.
• physical presence/residency: most life insurance companies require you to be physically present in the US when you apply, take your medical exam (if required), and accept the policy. Nearly all the carriers have a residency requirement, as discussed below.
• financials/assets: You must show assets in the US, such as a US bank account, car, etc., or have financial ties to the US.
• Home country: your home country matters, which is measured against any type of visa you have. Some countries prohibit their citizens from purchasing U.S. life insurance. The United States also has a list of countries whose residents can’t purchase life insurance. Of course, if a person from one of these countries is present and residing here in the US, then life insurance options could be available.
• family ties/occupations: applicants whose family members include government officials and other types of occupations are ineligible for life insurance. Of course, if you are here under a permanent visa (i.e., green card) then life insurance options might be available.

Underwriting

Underwriters will review your immigration status. All life insurance companies have different underwriting requirements for non-US citizens. For example, some companies will accept undocumented immigrants while others don’t.

Underwriters also look at your:

• health situation: height/weight, tobacco use, health conditions
• employment situation
• lifestyle situation – marijuana use, high-risk occupation

Types of Policies Available

Non-US citizens can obtain any type of life insurance permitted by the life insurance company. Common life insurance options include:

term life insurance: generally the lowest cost life insurance available, but lasts only for a set period (i.e., the term)

whole life insurance: designed to last your entire lifetime and generate cash value. It is more expensive than term life, all things being equal

universal life insurance: a more flexible type of life insurance that generates cash value. The most popular type of universal life insurance on the market today is indexed universal life insurance

life insurance with living benefits: living benefits add extra protection to your life insurance policy. These benefits allow you to advance the death benefit while living (hence the name “living” benefits) upon:

• a diagnosed, covered illness like cancer
• a terminal illness
• custodial care needs (i.e., long-term care situations)

Although the cost of life insurance with living benefits is higher, it generally makes sense to purchase these policies for the added protection. Not all companies offer living benefits, and the types of benefits they offer vary.

Cost of Life Insurance

The cost of life insurance depends on underwriting. Generally, there is no cost difference compared to a US citizen, although this depends on the life insurance company. However, changes in costs affect visa holders and foreign nationals living abroad with significant ties to the US. In these cases, the carrier also analyzes the country where the foreign national resides and his or her citizenship.

Where to Obtain Life Insurance

Non-US citizens should purchase life insurance from a financial professional and an independent insurance agent / broker who understands the different rules and carrier regulations. You would want to work with an agent / broker who works with many life insurance companies and is experienced with helping non-US citizens and foreign nationals obtain life insurance.

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Can Non-US Citizens Obtain Life Insurance?

Yes. Non-US citizens can obtain life insurance. Moreover, foreign nationals with significant ties to the United States can obtain life insurance.

However, there is more to the answer. The right answer is “it depends”. You see, not everyone in the world can obtain life insurance here in the United States. Many factors are involved. You’ll need to undergo additional underwriting due to your immigration status. It’s not that big of a deal, though. Just a few extra steps required.

We have helped many non-US citizens and foreign nationals obtain life insurance. You will want to work with a broker like us who knows how to navigate the life insurance process. Not all carriers evaluate or underwrite non-US citizen applicants the same way.

So, life insurance availability really depends on your immigration status and your home or birth country. After that, there are specific carrier requirements.

Before we discuss the life insurance options, let’s first discuss the basic requirements for a non-US citizen to obtain life insurance.

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Eligibility and Requirements For Non-US Citizens To Obtain Life Insurance

In order to obtain life insurance here in the US, non-US citizens must meet various requirements. These requirements vary by carrier and your immigration status. These requirements include, but are not limited to:

(1) be legally present in the United States with proper documentation (a green card, unexpired VISA, work permit, etc.) and proof of US residency

(2) provide a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). If these are not available, a W-8 is available from the IRS.

(3) copy of the VISA or work authorization/work permit and US entry (I-94 document)

(4) an understanding of the non-US citizen’s ties to the United States. Many carriers require a clear business or financial connection to the US.

(5) conduct all underwriting here in the US. If the non-US citizen is living abroad, he or she must also agree to bear the costs of any underwriting needs, such as doctor’s records translated into English.

(6) premiums drawn from a US bank account

(7) demonstrate a substantial presence living in the US or a substantial interest in needing US-based life insurance

(8) many carriers have a maximum death benefit limit. Usually, the amount is between $15 million and $20 million, adequate for most people

These are just general requirements. Every carrier has specific requirements that you must meet during the application and underwriting process.

The life insurance company will primarily focus on your immigration status. Let’s talk about that next.

Immigration Status

Immigration statuses matter to life insurance companies. Companies have different rules for life insurance options. While nearly all companies accept green card holders, not all companies accept visa holders, DACA recipients, or undocumented immigrants.

Why? The reason relates to the type of legal status you hold. Non-US citizens with an immigrant visa have more life insurance options than those with a non-immigrant visa or none at all. Immigrant visas show a permanent intent to live in the United States. An example of this is the E-1 visa. Carriers like this, so that is why nearly all of them offer life insurance to those with immigrant visas.

Conversely, non-immigrant visas indicate a temporary intent to stay in the US. It may not be your intent, but life insurance companies focus on your visa type, not your wishes. They don’t like the temporary stay as governed by your visa. This is why fewer companies offer life insurance to those with non-immigrant visas. Examples include the F-1 student visa, a tourist visa, and even the H-1B visa. (Many people think this is an immigrant visa, but it is not.)

Finally, those who aren’t necessarily on a visa have an even tougher time getting life insurance (but it’s not impossible through a broker like My Family Life Insurance, which has helped many non-US citizens with varying immigration and legal statuses obtain life insurance). DACA recipients aren’t necessarily on a visa. Same with those in refugee status. Additionally, undocumented immigrants have no legal status. Nevertheless, life insurance options exist, but not as many as for someone with permanent legal status.

Residency Requirement

A residency requirement also exists. You can’t just arrive in the US and apply for life insurance the next day.

Many carriers require a 1- to 5-year full-time residency in the US before applying for life insurance. Every carrier has a nuanced definition of this. For example, a carrier might say that if you live in the US for at least 10 months out of the last 12, that counts as full-time residency. Carriers may also require proof of U.S. residency (e.g., a rental or mortgage statement).

For some visa holders and foreign nationals living abroad, carriers also look at their home country citizenship. Some countries do not allow their citizens to obtain US life insurance. Additionally, the US prohibits citizens of countries on the OFAC list from obtaining US life insurance.

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Life Insurance Application Process for Non-US Citizens

I might be getting a little ahead of myself to discuss the life insurance application process. The life insurance application process is, actually, not as complicated as you might think. The one extra, important step is that the underwriter will review your immigration status in detail. Here is a general overview of what to expect when applying for life insurance.

• Contact an experienced broker like My Family Life Insurance
• Tell the broker your immigration situation
• Discuss the life insurance options available and decide what works in your situation
• The broker should pre-qualify you with his or her knowledge of immigration status against the requirements of available companies
• Apply
• Go through the underwriting process (see below)
• If the broker pre-qualified you the right way, you should be approved for life insurance

As I mentioned before, the application process must take place in the United States. You also bear the cost of any medical record translation, if needed.

The application process isn’t as bad as you think. However, as a non-US citizen, underwriters will scrutinize your application. We talk about the underwriting process next.

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Life Insurance Underwriting Process for Non-US Citizens

The underwriting process is the most important step in the application process. This is where the underwriter determines whether you are an acceptable risk to undertake, and either approves or denies your application.

For all applicants, underwriters are going to review:

• personal information – date of birth, address, etc.
• health history – previous and current diagnoses, medical records, etc.
• lifestyle history – any history of using marijuana, felonies, driving records, hazardous hobbies like skydiving
• employment situation – do you work in gainful employment? If not, do you support a home if your spouse works
• other information – anything else the underwriter deems material to making a decision on your life insurance application

Underwriters may require a paramedical exam (a mini-physical) in which an examiner takes your height/weight, blood pressure, pulse, a blood sample, and a urine sample. Depending on your situation, underwriters may require additional testing, such as an EKG.

If the underwriter feels your risk is greater than that of a normal person, all things being equal, they will table-rate your policy or decline your application altogether.

For non-US citizens, the underwriting process is even more critical. The underwriter will want additional information on your immigration status. Here are some of the general items that underwriters may want:

• proof of US residency, showing proof that you are living here in the US, and how long you have lived in the US
• proper identification: a driver’s license or a passport
• copies of immigration paperwork: copies of your green card, visa, etc.
• citizenship status: of your home country. As mentioned, different countries have different rules when it comes to US life insurance

Let’s discuss the types of life insurance available to non-US citizens next.

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Life Insurance Options for Non-US Citizens

Many types of life insurance coverage are available to non-US citizens. In fact, most carriers offer the same life insurance to non-US citizens as they do to US citizens.

However, life insurance coverage options are going to depend on a few factors:

• your immigration status
• available carriers that accept non-US citizens with your immigration status
• of those available carriers, what they offer, and
• are these carriers available in the state where you reside? (Not all life insurance companies are able to sell in all US states.)

Nevertheless, here is a summary of the life insurance options for non-US citizens. Note: we offer many types of coverage options for non-US citizens. Feel free to contact us anytime.

Term Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens

Term life insurance is the most common type of life insurance for a few reasons:

• it is, per cost of $1,000 of life insurance, the cheapest life insurance available
• pays a death benefit in the case of your unexpected death

These term policies answer the question, “If I were to pass away, what will happen to my family and loved ones?” Life insurance beneficiaries (the person who receives the death benefit amount – more on that later) receive the death benefit and can use that money to pay the mortgage, living expenses, take time off work to grieve, etc.

In order for your beneficiary to receive the death benefit, you must pass away during the term period. The term period is expressed in years and can range from 5 to 40 (available to green card holders).

You pay the same premium each year during the term period.

If you are still alive at the end of the term, you have a few options. You can let the policy expire (what most people do), convert it to a permanent plan (see below) if offered by the carrier, or you can keep paying for it (however, it turns into an annually renewable term plan in which the costs increase drastically every year)

Term policies are cheaper than other types of life insurance, all things being equal, because the underwriter is analyzing your chances of passing away during the term period. The longer your term, the higher the policy cost.

Whole Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens

Whole life insurance is another type of life insurance. It is considered a “permanent” type of life insurance. Unlike term life insurance, whole life policies are designed to last your lifetime and pay the death benefit upon your death. (Hence, permanent.) That can be 1 year from now or when you are 95.

The permanence leads to higher premium costs, all things being equal. You see, when you buy a whole life insurance policy, the carrier is already planning to pay that death benefit.

Secondarily, whole life plans also offer cash value. Cash value is like a bank savings account (but it is not). The cash value also increases the premiums. Without getting into the details (contact me if you really want to understand), the cash value is why whole life policies offer a guaranteed premium, guaranteed death benefit, and guaranteed cash value.

Many whole life carriers offer dividends on their whole life polices. The dividends can be reinvested in the policy to purchase additional life insurance, thereby increasing the cash value.

People purchase whole life insurance for various reasons, including, but not limited to, lifetime protection, guarantees, banking strategies, and cash value (which is negatively correlated with the stock market).

If you would like to learn more about whole life insurance, please contact us.

Universal Life for Non-US Citizens

Another type of permanent life insurance option for non-US citizens is universal life. Here are some attributes of universal life:

• flexible premium – minimum and maximum premiums
• cash value – no guaranteed cash value
• death benefit – flexible
• no dividends

Without getting too detailed, universal life lacks many of the guarantees that make whole life appealing. With universal life, you generally can pay as little or as much as you want (subject to minimums and maximums). Universal life requires vigilance to ensure the policy remains well-funded so it can continue to provide lifetime coverage.

The most popular type of universal life nowadays is indexed universal life (IUL). The cash value in these poilcies track a stock or investment benchmark like the S&P 500. While there are advantages to IULs, many disadvantages exist. If you are interested in an IUL, I recommend speaking with a life insurance professional who can explain how these policies work. Many people don’t understand the costs or funding mechanisms involved.

If you would like to learn more, please contact us.

Life Insurance with Living Benefits

Life insurance with living benefits is another type of life insurance. It isn’t a type of policy per se, but rather the addition of benefits to the policy. These benefits generally include advancing the death benefit sooner for:

• a terminal illness
• a critical illness like cancer, a heart attack
• custodial care (long-term care)

Living benefits allow the policyholder to access the death benefit sooner for these covered events. Carriers that offer living benefits may include additional benefits, so it is important to understand what is included in the policy.

Not all life insurance companies offer living benefits. Moreover, those that do may not offer them across all policy types. Living benefits are generally available on:

• term life
• whole life
• universal life

The cost of policies with living benefits is generally higher than the cost of traditional policies without living benefits, all things being equal. Even with the higher cost, living benefits on your policy make it more flexible and advantageous. For example, consider that 1 out of 2 people are diagnosed with cancer, and 70% of adults 65 and over will need some type of long-term care. Living benefits could help in these situations.

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Cost of Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens

Many non-US citizens think that life insurance will cost more. That is not necessarily the case. The cost of life insurance is largely the same as what US citizens pay. A non-US citizen will pay a higher rate if they are living abroad or if the carrier requires home-country considerations.

Feel free to search on the quoter below. It is for term life insurance. The quoter is just an estimate, and the final rate is determined by underwriting. Feel free to contact us with any questions, including whether you are interested in the whole life of universal life.

Country Considerations that Affect the Cost of Life Insurance

As mentioned, your home country may affect the cost of life insurance. This occurs if you are a non-US citizen living abroad (but you have significant ties to the US that justify US-based life insurance) or if the carrier requires your home country based on your visa (or lack of one).

Carriers categorize a country’s risk profile. Carriers generally categorize them as A, B, C, or D. Industrialized countries with stable governments, employment, health care, and related factors are categorized as A. Conversely, countries experiencing government instability, a lack of health care, war, etc., are categorized as C or D. Examples of A countries include England, Australia, France, etc. Examples of C or D countries generally include Russia, Colombia, Honduras, etc.

Most carriers do not offer life insurance to residents of countries in categories C or D. However, this depends on the carrier and your immigration status.

Additionally, some countries do not allow their citizens to purchase US based life insurance. Switzerland is one. France is another.

Life insurance companies typically offer the best health class and premium rates to residents of an A country, whereas they may limit health class, premium rates, and/or death benefit to residents of a C or D country.

It’s important to note that although carriers generally align with the country categories, there are nuances. For example, Insurance Company D may classify country X as C, while Insurance Company E classifies it as B. Which carrier do you pick? All things being equal, company E.

The moral of this section is to contact us. Once we know your specific situation, we can offer the right recommendations.

Now, let’s review the life insurance options for different immigration statuses.

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Life Insurance For Green Card Holders

If you are a green card holder, you are still considered a non-US citizen. However, with a green card, you are considered a permanent US resident. Carriers like that. As I mentioned, it shows your permanent presence here in the United States. That’s important. As such, even though you are not a US citizen, for life insurance purposes, carriers treat you like one. Typically, the best life insurance rates are available to you from numerous carriers.

You’ll also have term life insurance or permanent life insurance available, including carriers that offer living benefits.

There is one extra step. Nearly all the carriers will require a copy of your green card to prove your status and a foreign national questionnaire. That is it. No extra forms or requirements. Usually, no home or country considerations or requirements, either.

Be aware, however, that some companies have a residency requirement for the best rate/health class available. For example, one popular carrier has a 2-year U.S. residency requirement for green card holders.

If you are a green card holder and would like to learn about your life insurance options, please contact us.

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Life Insurance for H-1B Visa Holders

If you are in the US on an H-1B visa, you have life insurance options, including term and permanent life insurance.

The application is a little more involved. You will need to supply a copy of your visa and a foreign national questionnaire. Your residency requirement becomes more important, as most carriers require 3 years of US residency. Additionally, carriers may consider your citizenship. (See country considerations above)

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Life Insurance For Other Visa Holders

If you hold a visa other than the H-1B, your life insurance options will depend on your visa type. As mentioned, life insurance companies favor immigrant visa applicants because they demonstrate permanence in the US. Non-immigrant visas, on the other hand, demonstrate a temporary stay in the US.

Not all carriers accept non-immigrant visas. However, these are the most common visas (other than the H-1B) that most life insurance companies accept:

• DV-1, DV-2 (Diversity Immigrant Visa)
• E-1, E-2, E-3 (Treaty/Trade Visas)
• EB-5 (Foreign investor/US jobs creator)
• H-3 (Non-immigrant training visa)
• J-1 (Educational and cultural visa)
• K-1 (Foreign fiancé/fiancée visa)
• L-1 (multinational company executive visa)
• N-8/N-9 (Parents of special immigrants visa)
• O-1 (Extraordinary ability visa)
• R-1 (Religious workers visa)
• T-1 (Victims of human trafficking visa)
• TN (USMCA visa for Mexican and Canadian citizens)
• U-1 (Victim of a crime visa)

Again, not every carrier will accept these visas. Moreover, your home country citizenship may affect the type of life insurance available. The best thing to do is to contact us, and we can determine your options.

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Life Insurance for DACA Recipients

DACA recipients can obtain life insurance.

No, that’s not true, John. I’ve tried everywhere and declined because of my DACA status.

Well, you didn’t find us. We have helped many DACA recipients obtain life insurance.

It’s true; if you are a DACA recipient, your life insurance options are very limited, but not impossible.

A handful of carriers will accept your immigration status.

Why don’t many carriers accept DACA recipients? Well, for one, it’s not a visa. DACA was created under the Obama administration to prevent the deportation of undocumented children. DACA stands for “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”. It grants recipients work authorization and defers deportation. It is a temporary order, and recipients must reapply.

The good news is that carriers that accept DACA recipients are strong and affordable, and they offer all types of life insurance, including term, permanent, and universal life.

If you are a DACA recipient and need life insurance, give us a call. We can help.

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Life Insurance for EAD Holders

An EAD is an employment authorization document that gives you the right to work in the US. It is usually associated with individuals who hold a student visa, refugee status, OPT, or temporary protected status, among others.

Possessing an EAD is only a temporary right to work in the US for a specified period. It is renewable. An EAD isn’t a visa per se; it is used in conjunction with other immigration statuses (such as DACA, TPS, Asylum, and Refugee status).

Because of the temporary status, not many carriers accept EADs by itself. A few do. It’s important that you contact us as we do have life insurance options.

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Life Insurance for Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants can obtain life insurance here in the US. We work with a handful of carriers that will accept your undocumented status.

Some carriers have stringent eligibility requirements, while others have more lenient ones. A few carriers require at least 5 years of continuous residence in the US, while others have shorter residency timelines.

If you are undocumented, you will need to provide your ITIN (or a Social Security number if it is still valid) and other forms of ID, such as a driver’s license or a home-country passport.

Some carriers consider your home country, while others don’t.

The best thing to do is contact us. We have helped many undocumented immigrants obtain life insurance, and we can help you, too.

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Life Insurance for Foreign Nationals Not Residing in the US

Did you know that a foreign national living abroad can obtain U.S.-Based life insurance?

It’s true.

However, not all foreign nationals living abroad are eligible to apply for U.S.-based life insurance.

For example, citizens of countries subject to OFAC sanctions cannot obtain U.S. life insurance.

Additionally, some countries do not allow their citizens to obtain US life insurance, even if they have strong ties to the US. These countries include France and Switzerland. Note: If these citizens are in the US on a valid visa, life insurance is likely available.

In order to obtain US-based life insurance, as a foreign national residing in your home country, you must:

• have strong ties to the United States (e.g., business ventures, ownership, or work for a US-based corporation)
• apply while here in the United States
• have verifiable assets and a US bank account
• perform all underwriting requests here in the US, including a paramedical exam, if required
• accept the policy while here in the US

Remember, life insurance options are based on your citizenship – so if you are from an “A” country, like Canada, you will likely have better life insurance options than from the Bahamas (a “B” country).

If you are a foreign national residing outside the US, please contact us so we can help you with your life insurance options. We can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance for Non-Citizens

We answer frequently asked questions about life insurance for non-citizens.

Can A Non-US Citizen Be A Life Insurance Beneficiary

Now that you know that non-US citizens can obtain life insurance, you may wonder if the beneficiary needs to be a US citizen. We receive this question quite a bit. Yes, a non-US citizen can be a life insurance beneficiary. If a non-US citizen is the beneficiary, provide as much information about the beneficiary to the carrier as possible. There must also be an insurable interest, which can arise from love or business relationships. In other words, your beneficiary would bear financial hardship or loss upon your death. These cases happen in love (family) or business relationships.

I am a Canadian Citizen. How Hard Is It For Me to Obtain Life Insurance?

Many life insurance carriers in the United States have relaxed eligibility requirements for Canadian citizens, provided they have strong ties to the US. For example, if you hold a Canadian passport and own a second home in Florida, some carriers may accept a life insurance application. Contact us for more details.

Will my family receive the payout if they live outside the U.S.?

Yes. Life insurance death benefits can usually be paid to beneficiaries anywhere in the world. As mentioned, your beneficiaries do not need to be U.S. residents. However, international payments may involve extra processing time and currency conversion.

What happens to my life insurance policy if I leave the United States permanently?

Your policy typically remains in force as long as you continue paying premiums from your US bank account. However, some carriers require notification if you become a permanent resident of another country, and a few may adjust your rates or coverage based on your new country of residence. The key is maintaining your US banking relationship and keeping premium payments current.

Can I purchase life insurance if my visa expires in less than one year?

Yes, several carriers will issue policies to visa holders with less than one year remaining, especially if you can demonstrate intent to renew or transition to another visa type. Some carriers offer shorter-term policies (5-10 year terms) specifically designed for temporary visa holders, while others will issue standard policies if you have a pending green card application or visa extension.

Do I need to disclose foreign bank accounts or assets when applying for life insurance?

You’re not required to disclose foreign assets unless they represent your primary financial resources or the carrier specifically asks about worldwide assets. Most carriers only want to verify that you have sufficient US-based financial ties to justify the coverage amount you’re requesting. However, for high-net-worth applicants seeking coverage above $5 million, carriers may request information about global assets.

Will my premiums increase if I travel frequently to my home country?

Once your policy is approved and issued, your premiums are locked in and won’t increase based on travel patterns. However, during the application process, if you spend more than 6 months per year outside the US, some carriers may classify you differently or require additional underwriting. Always disclose your typical travel patterns honestly during the application process to avoid any issues with claims later.

Can I convert my term life insurance to permanent insurance if my immigration status is still temporary?

Yes, most term policies with conversion privileges allow you to convert regardless of your current immigration status, provided you convert within the policy’s conversion period and continue to meet residency requirements. This is actually a strategic advantage for visa holders – you can lock in term coverage now while your status is temporary, then convert to permanent coverage later without new underwriting, even if your immigration status hasn’t changed.

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5 Important Insights Non-US Citizens Need to Remember When Applying for Life Insurance in the US

#1 Immigration status determines your life insurance options more than any other factor with green card holders having access to virtually all carriers and policy types at standard rates, while visa holders, DACA recipients, and undocumented immigrants face more limited options that require working with specialized carriers and experienced brokers.

#2 US residency duration matters as much as immigration status because most carriers require 1-5 years of continuous US residence before approving coverage, and premium carriers offering the best rates typically require 3+ years of documented US presence regardless of your visa type.

#3 Your home country citizenship can override your immigration status benefits when carriers apply country risk categories (A through D) that affect your premium rates, coverage limits, and eligibility – making citizens of unstable or sanctioned countries ineligible even with valid US visas. However, as we have written, contact us if this is your situation, as we may be able to secure life insurance for you with the specialized carriers we work with.

#4 The application must be completed entirely on US soil including the initial application, medical exam if required, and policy acceptance, with all premiums drawn from a US bank account and underwriting documentation translated to English at your expense.

#5 Working with a specialized broker is essential for non-US citizens because carrier requirements vary dramatically by immigration status. Not all agents understand these nuances, and applying to the wrong carrier can result in denials that make future applications with other companies more difficult.

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Final Thoughts About Life Insurance for Non-US Citizens

I hope you found this guide about life insurance for non-US citizens educational. It may seem tricky, but non-US citizens can obtain life insurance. The amount and type really depend on your situation.

Regardless of your immigration status, we can likely get you the life insurance you need to protect your loved ones.

Are you a non-US citizen looking for life insurance? Hopefully, by reading this article, you can see that we can help. Use the form below or contact us for a conversation. We’d be happy to speak with you, learn about you and your situation, and see if we can help. If not, then you learned a little more, and we’ll part as friends. It is that easy. Working with us is easy because we always have your and your family’s best interests first and foremost.