You don’t need a U.S. passport to protect your family with U.S. life insurance. Green card holders, work visa holders, and many foreign nationals with ties to the U.S. can buy term, whole, and universal life policies. What changes is how insurers look at your application. They check your immigration status, how long you’ve lived here, your home country, and where you sign the paperwork. This guide explains the rules by visa type, the documents you’ll need, how beneficiaries abroad get paid, and what happens if you move home.
Quick answer: Yes, a non-US citizen can get life insurance in the United States. Green card holders are usually underwritten like citizens. Visa holders, and some ITIN holders, qualify with many carriers once they’ve lived here for a set time (often 6–12 months or more). They typically need a U.S. address and a U.S. bank account, and must apply in the U.S.
Can a non-US citizen get life insurance in the United States?
Yes. U.S. law doesn’t require citizenship to buy life insurance, and many major carriers have written guidelines for non-citizens. Permanent residents, most work visa holders, and foreign nationals with U.S. assets can qualify; requirements are stricter the shorter and less permanent your U.S. ties are.
Life insurance for non citizens is underwritten in two layers. First, the insurer reviews your health, age, and lifestyle, just as it would for anyone. Second, it reviews your connection to the U.S. to judge whether you will stay, keep paying premiums, and remain reachable for claims.
Core underwriting principles for non-citizens
| Factor | What underwriters look at |
| Legal status | Green card, visa type and expiration date, or other documented status |
| U.S. residency duration | How long you’ve lived in the U.S. and how many months per year you spend here |
| Financial ties | U.S. job, bank accounts, home, business, or investments |
| Home country | Country risk rating, which can affect approval and rate class |
| Physical presence | Where you sign the application, take the medical exam, and receive the policy |
| Foreign travel | Where you travel, how often, and for how long |
Note: Every carrier sets its own non-citizen rules. A visa or country one insurer declines may be acceptable to another, which is why comparing carriers matters more for non-citizens than for most applicants.
For the basics of how policies work, see M Life Insurance’s complete life insurance guide.
Eligibility by immigration and visa status
Your immigration status is the biggest factor in which policies you can get. Green card holders have the most options; work visa holders qualify with most carriers after a minimum stay; students, ITIN holders, and non-residents face stricter limits and fewer carriers.
Permanent residents and green card holders
Life insurance for green card holders works almost exactly like coverage for citizens. Carriers such as F&G treat green card holders who live in the U.S. at least six months a year the same as U.S. citizens, with normal medical underwriting and access to term, whole, and universal life. Life insurance for permanent residents is usually the easiest non-citizen case to place.
Temporary work visa holders (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1/E-2, TN)
Life insurance for visa holders is widely available once you’ve been in the U.S. for a minimum period. F&G’s 2026 guidelines, for example, accept E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and several other visas after six or more months in the U.S. For full-time-resident treatment, F&G also requires two years in the U.S. with an active acceptable visa.
Common expectations:
- Â Â Â Â A valid, unexpired visa (dependent visas such as H-4 and L-2 are often accepted too)
- Â Â Â Â An SSN or ITIN
- Â Â Â Â A steady U.S. income that supports the coverage amount
- Â Â Â Â Coverage terms that make sense for your plans; some carriers look at how your visa term lines up with your term length
International students and exchange visitors (F-1, J-1)
Life insurance for international students is harder to find. Many carriers don’t accept F-1 or J-1 status on its own, because students often have no U.S. income and may leave after graduation. Students on OPT (Optional Practical Training) with a U.S. job have better options; F&G, for instance, lists OPT-F1 as acceptable after six months in the U.S. Expect modest coverage amounts tied to your income or family’s financial need.
Undocumented immigrants and ITIN holders
Some carriers do offer immigrant life insurance to people without a visa. F&G accepts “other documented or undocumented residents” who have lived in the U.S. 12 or more months, using an SSN, ITIN, or W-8BEN form, with coverage capped at $1,000,000 for DACA, no-visa, or expired-visa applicants. Choices are narrower, and the carrier will still require a U.S. address and U.S. bank account. M Life Insurance has a separate guide on whether undocumented immigrants can get life insurance.
Non-resident foreign nationals
Life insurance for non US residents (people who live mainly abroad) is possible when they have a real financial connection to the U.S. Guardian’s Global Citizens program, for example, looks for U.S. real estate, a U.S. business, U.S. investments, or close family members who are U.S. citizens. It bases maximum coverage on U.S. assets and offers up to $30 million. These policies are often permanent, cash value policies used for estate and wealth planning.
Non-citizen eligibility master matrix
| Immigration tier | Eligible policy types | Medical exam | Coverage limits (examples) | Primary documents |
| Green card holder | Term, whole, universal, IUL | Same as citizens | Same as citizens | Green card, SSN |
| Work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1/E-2, TN) | Term, whole, universal, IUL | Often required above set amounts | F&G: up to $500,000 without an exam for non-citizens | Passport, visa, I-94, SSN or ITIN |
| Student (F-1, J-1) | Mostly term, limited carriers | Usually required | Modest, tied to income or need | Passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, OPT documents |
| ITIN holder / undocumented | Term and some permanent, few carriers | Usually required | F&G: up to $1,000,000 | ITIN or W-8BEN, proof of U.S. address |
| Non-resident foreign national | Mostly permanent (whole, universal) | Typically required | Based on U.S. assets; Guardian up to $30M | Passport, proof of U.S. assets, financials |
Note: The limits above come from specific carriers’ published guidelines and are examples, not industry-wide rules. Other carriers may be more or less flexible.
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Four Core Requirements for Non-Citizen Applicants
Most carriers ask non-citizens for four things: a U.S. taxpayer ID, a U.S. address, a U.S. bank account, and physical presence in the U.S. during the application. Missing any one of them is the most common reason for a decline.
Requirement 1: Social Security number or ITIN
An SSN is the standard identifier. If you don’t qualify for one, many carriers accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS as a Social Security number alternative. Some carriers also accept a W-8BEN tax form, sometimes with limits; F&G, for example, doesn’t offer its preferred rates to certain applicants who use a W-8BEN instead of an SSN or ITIN.
Requirement 2: Proof of a physical U.S. address
Carriers want proof of identity and residency at a real U.S. street address, not a P.O. box. They also look at how long you’ve lived here. Depending on the carrier and your status, that can range from six months to two years or more. Utility bills, a lease, or a mortgage statement can show your address history.
Requirement 3: A U.S. bank account
Premiums are almost always paid in U.S. dollars from a U.S. bank. F&G requires funds to come from a U.S. financial institution in U.S. dollars, and Guardian’s foreign national program uses the same approach for non-residents. Automatic monthly drafts also reduce the risk of missed payments.
Requirement 4: Physical presence in the U.S.
Many carriers require you to be in the U.S. when you sign the application, complete the medical exam, and receive the policy. F&G’s guidelines require all three and don’t allow a power of attorney to sign for you. Guardian requires its foreign national applications to be completed and signed in the U.S.
Core requirements breakdown
| Requirement | What usually counts | Common problem |
| Taxpayer ID | SSN, ITIN, or W-8BEN (carrier-specific) | No ID at all |
| U.S. address | Lease, utility bill, mortgage statement | Only a foreign or P.O. box address |
| U.S. bank account | Checking or savings at a U.S. bank | Paying from a foreign account |
| Physical presence | Signing, exam, and delivery in the U.S. | Trying to apply while abroad |
| Residency duration | Often 6–24 months, depending on carrier and status | Arrived only recently |
Note: Plan your application around travel. If you’re leaving the U.S. for a long trip, start early so the exam and policy delivery finish before you leave.
Policy options: term vs. whole life for non-US citizens
Term life is usually the best fit for non-citizens who want large, affordable coverage during their working years. Whole life and indexed universal life (IUL) suit people who want lifetime coverage, cash value, or estate planning, which is common for green card holders and wealthy foreign nationals.
Term life insurance for non-US citizens
Term life insurance for non US citizens covers you for a set period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years, at the lowest cost per dollar of coverage. It’s built for income replacement: paying the mortgage, supporting children, and covering debts if you die while your family depends on your paycheck. Many policies can be converted to permanent coverage later without a new medical exam. See M Life Insurance’s term life insurance page.
Whole life insurance for non-US citizens
Whole life insurance for non US citizens covers you for life, with fixed premiums and a cash value that grows tax-deferred. It costs much more than term for the same death benefit, but it never expires, which can help with final expenses, leaving an inheritance, or estate planning. See whole life insurance and how whole life builds cash value.
Indexed universal life (IUL) for foreign national wealth planning
IUL is permanent coverage with cash value growth linked to a market index, with a floor that protects against index losses and a cap that limits gains. Foreign national programs often use universal life and IUL to provide estate liquidity for U.S. assets. Compare the options in whole life vs. indexed universal life.
Term vs. whole life for non-citizens
| Feature | Term life | Whole life | IUL |
| Coverage length | 10–30 years | Lifetime | Lifetime if funded |
| Premium | Lowest | Highest, fixed | Flexible |
| Cash value | None | Guaranteed growth | Index-linked growth with a floor |
| Best for | Visa workers, young families, income replacement | Green card holders wanting lifetime coverage | Higher earners and foreign nationals with U.S. assets |
| Availability for non-citizens | Widest | Wide | Mostly green card holders and foreign national programs |
Not sure how much you need? Try the M Life Insurance life insurance calculator.
Overseas beneficiaries and global claim rules
You can usually name family members who live outside the U.S. as beneficiaries. The death benefit is generally free of U.S. federal income tax under IRC §101(a). Payments to people or countries under U.S. sanctions can be blocked, and your beneficiaries’ home country may have its own tax rules.
Naming family members who live abroad
Most carriers let you name a spouse, parent, child, or sibling living in another country. To make a claim go smoothly:
- Â Â Â Â Use full legal names that match passports, plus dates of birth and current addresses.
- Â Â Â Â Keep contact details up to date with the insurer.
- Â Â Â Â Tell your beneficiaries the policy exists and which company issued it.
- Â Â Â Â Expect the insurer to ask for a certified death certificate, translated into English if needed, and identity documents for each beneficiary.
For minors abroad, consider a trust or a named custodian; see M Life Insurance’s guide to life insurance trusts.
Tax-free payout under IRC §101(a)
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §101(a)(1) says gross income “does not include amounts received…under a life insurance contract, if such amounts are paid by reason of the death of the insured.” That applies regardless of where the beneficiary lives. Exceptions include interest earned if the benefit is held and paid out later, and policies that were sold or transferred for value.
Two other tax points matter for non-citizens:
- U.S. estate tax: For a nonresident who isn’t a U.S. citizen, insurance on their life is not treated as U.S. property for estate tax purposes (IRC §2105(a)). Green card holders are generally treated like citizens for estate tax, so a large policy they own may count in their estate.
- Home country tax: Your beneficiaries’ country may tax the money. Ask a tax advisor there.
See is life insurance taxable? and how life insurance works with estate planning.
OFAC sanctions and excluded countries
U.S. insurers must follow sanctions rules from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Insurers screen beneficiaries, and a payment to someone on OFAC’s sanctions lists, or to a comprehensively sanctioned country or region, may be blocked or require a special license. If your family lives in a sanctioned country, ask about this before you buy.
What happens if you relocate to your home country?
In general, a policy issued while you lived legally in the U.S. stays in force after you move, as long as you keep paying premiums. Moving doesn’t cancel the contract. To keep it running smoothly:
- Â Â Â Â Keep a U.S. bank account for premium drafts in U.S. dollars.
- Â Â Â Â Update your address and contact details with the insurer.
- Â Â Â Â Read your policy for any rules about foreign residence, and ask before converting or adding coverage, since new underwriting may need you to be in the U.S. again.
Note: Missed premiums are the biggest risk after a move. If a foreign bank can’t pay a U.S. insurer directly, a lapsed policy can leave your family with nothing. Keep the U.S. account open and funded.
How foreign travel affects life insurance underwriting
Travel to low-risk countries rarely affects your application. Long or frequent trips to higher-risk countries can lead to a higher rate, a delay, or a decline. Your home country’s risk rating can also affect your rate class.
Low-risk vs. high-risk destinations
Carriers rate countries by risk. F&G’s 2026 guidelines, for example, use five ratings from A (lowest risk) to E (highest risk):
| F&G country rating | Example countries | How travel is treated |
| A | Canada | Acceptable |
| B | Mexico, China | Acceptable |
| C | India | Individual consideration for under 6 weeks per year |
| D–E | Iran (E) | Not acceptable |
Ratings also affect rate classes. F&G gives preferred-rate consideration to some non-citizen applicants only when their home country is rated A or B. Other carriers use their own lists, so a country one insurer rates C may be rated differently elsewhere.
State Department travel advisories and postponed approval
The U.S. Department of State rates countries from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel). Many underwriters check these advisories. Planned travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 country can lead the insurer to postpone a decision until you return, add a foreign travel exclusion, or decline.
Note: Be honest about planned travel on your application. Leaving out a trip can give the insurer grounds to contest a claim during the policy’s first two years. See what to do if life insurance is denied.
Step-by-step: how to buy life insurance as a non-citizen
The life insurance application process for non-citizens takes four steps: gather your documents, check which carriers accept your status, finish underwriting while you’re in the U.S., and set up automatic premium payments.
Step 1: Gather your documents
- Â Passport
- Â Green card, or visa plus I-94 arrival record
- SSN or ITIN (or a W-8BEN if the carrier allows it)
- Proof of U.S. address (lease, utility bill, mortgage statement)
- Â U.S. bank statement
- Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2, or tax return)
- For students: I-20 or DS-2019 and any OPT authorization
Step 2: Pre-qualify your status with an agent
Before you apply, have an agent match your visa, time in the U.S., home country, and travel plans to carriers that accept them. This step avoids a decline, which can make later applications harder. M Life Insurance specialists can check your situation against carrier guidelines.
Step 3: Complete the medical exam or digital underwriting in the U.S.
Depending on your age, health, and coverage amount, you’ll either take a paramedical exam (blood, urine, blood pressure) or qualify through no-exam underwriting. Remember that many carriers require you to be in the U.S. for this step.
Step 4: Approval and automatic premium setup
Once approved, sign the delivery paperwork in the U.S., pay the first premium, and set up automatic drafts from your U.S. bank account. Store the policy with your other important papers and send your beneficiaries the insurer’s name and policy number.
Conclusion:
Being a non-citizen doesn’t shut you out of U.S. life insurance. The best life insurance for non US citizens depends on your status, how long you’ve been here, your home country, and your goals. Prepare your documents, apply while you’re in the U.S., and choose a carrier whose rules fit your situation.
| Your situation | Best starting point |
| Green card holder | Same options as citizens: term, whole, or IUL |
| H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1/E-2, or TN worker with a young family | Term life sized to your income and debts |
| International student on OPT | Modest term policy with a carrier that accepts OPT |
| ITIN holder or undocumented resident (12+ months in the U.S.) | Carriers with written ITIN guidelines |
| Foreign national with U.S. property or business | Permanent foreign national program sized to U.S. assets |
| Family living abroad | Confirm beneficiary country isn’t sanctioned; consider a trust for minors |
| Planning to move home | Keep a U.S. bank account and premiums current |
Compare life insurance for non-citizens at M Life Insurance
M Life Insurance helps green card holders, visa holders, and other non-citizens across the United States find carriers whose guidelines fit their status. M Life Insurance specialists can review your visa, residency history, and home country before you apply, so you don’t waste time on a carrier that won’t accept you.
Secure Your Family's Future with Confidence
Don’t leave your loved ones' financial security to chance. Use our expert tools and free resources to find the perfect coverage today.
FAQS
Yes. Green card holders are usually treated like citizens, and many carriers accept work visa holders after a minimum stay, often six months or more. Some carriers also cover ITIN holders and non-resident foreign nationals with U.S. assets. Most require a U.S. address, a U.S. bank account, and that you apply while in the U.S.
Often, yes. Several carriers accept an ITIN in place of an SSN; F&G, for example, accepts an SSN, ITIN, or W-8BEN for non-citizen applicants. You’ll still need to meet the carrier’s residency rules (F&G asks for 12+ months for applicants without an acceptable visa), and coverage limits or rate classes may be lower.
In general, the policy stays in force as long as you keep paying the premiums. Moving doesn’t cancel it. Keep a U.S. bank account for premium payments, update your address with the insurer, and check your contract for any foreign residence rules.
Yes. You can name beneficiaries who live abroad, and death benefits are generally free of U.S. federal income tax under IRC §101(a). Payments can be blocked if a beneficiary or their country is under U.S. sanctions, and the beneficiary’s own country may tax the money.
Usually, if you hold a valid visa or other accepted status while your application is pending and meet the carrier’s residency rules. Each carrier treats pending status differently, so check before you apply.
Not necessarily. Green card holders and many visa holders can get the same rate classes as citizens. Higher rates or lower limits are more likely if you’ve been in the U.S. only a short time, your home country has a higher risk rating, or you apply with a W-8BEN instead of an SSN or ITIN.
Sources and 2026 Verification
- Â Â Â F&G: Underwriting categories for foreign nationals (ADV1176, rev. 03-2026)
- Â Â Â Guardian: Global Citizens program underwriting
- Â Â Â SelectQuote: Life insurance for non-U.S. citizens
-    26 U.S. Code §101: Certain death benefits (Cornell LII)
-    26 U.S. Code §2105: Property without the United States (Cornell LII)
- Â Â Â U.S. Department of the Treasury: OFAC sanctions programs
- Â Â Â U.S. Department of State: Travel advisories
Note: All sources opened October 20, 2026. Carrier guidelines change often and differ between insurers; the F&G and Guardian figures are examples, not industry standards. This article is general information, not tax, legal, or immigration advice.
Joyce Espinoza, Expert Life Insurance Agent
Joyce Espinoza is a trusted life insurance agent at mLifeInsurance.com. She’s been in the insurance industry for over ten years, helping people, especially those with special health conditions to find the right coverage. At MLife Insurance, Joyce writes easy-to-understand articles that help readers make smart choices about life insurance. Previously, she worked directly with clients at Mlife Insurance, advising nearly 3,000 of them on life insurance options.
