Buying a Home in the U.S. as a Non-Citizen

Yes, you can buy. The path varies by your immigration status — here's exactly what each one looks like.

Cal says: There is no U.S. law preventing non-citizens from owning property. The question is which loan programs you qualify for — and the answers might surprise you.

By Immigration Status

Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). Treated identically to U.S. citizens for mortgage purposes. Qualify for FHA, VA (if veteran), USDA, and conventional loans on the same terms.
Non-permanent residents (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E-2, etc.). Eligible for FHA and conventional loans. Lenders generally want to see at least one year of remaining visa validity, an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) where applicable, and continuing employment.
F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors. Eligibility is lender-specific. Most banks decline; a handful of portfolio lenders will work with you if you have a co-signer or large down payment.
DACA recipients. Eligible for FHA loans (HUD clarified this in 2021) and conventional loans through Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
No legal status / ITIN holders. Cannot use FHA or conventional loans, but a growing number of community banks and credit unions offer ITIN mortgages — typically 15–25% down, slightly higher rates, and full income documentation.
Foreign nationals (no U.S. ties). Can buy U.S. property in cash with no immigration status, or use a "foreign national loan" — typically 30–40% down, higher rates, asset-based qualifying.

Documentation Lenders Will Ask For

Valid passport
Visa and I-94 record (or green card)
Social Security Number or ITIN
Two years of U.S. tax returns (or country-of-origin returns translated and notarized for foreign-national loans)
Two months of bank statements
Pay stubs covering the last 30 days
Employment verification letter showing continuing employment
EAD (Employment Authorization Document) if applicable

Building U.S. Credit (If You Don't Have It Yet)

U.S. lenders rely heavily on FICO scores. If you arrived recently, your credit file may be thin or empty even with a strong income. Fastest paths to a usable score:

Open a secured credit card (deposit becomes the limit) and use it for small charges paid in full each month
Become an authorized user on a family member's well-aged card
Use Experian Boost or similar to get utility and rent payments reported
Some lenders accept "alternative credit" — 12 months of on-time rent, utilities, insurance, and phone payments

You generally need a 620+ FICO for conventional and 580+ for FHA, with at least 6–12 months of credit history.

Things People Get Wrong

"You need to be a citizen to get a 30-year fixed." Not true. Visa holders qualify for the same terms as citizens at most lenders.
"My foreign credit history will count." Not for FHA or conventional. Some lenders will use it for foreign-national loans only.
"I can't buy on an H-1B because my visa expires in 2 years." Lenders look at the likelihood of continued employment, not just visa validity. Most extensions are routine.
"I should put 20% down to look more legitimate." 5–10% is fine. The bigger factor is reserves (3–6 months of payments left over after closing).

When in doubt, work with a lender who explicitly markets to foreign nationals or visa holders — not your generic big-bank loan officer who may not know the rules.