You live in the United States, you work here, and your family depends on your income. But you are not a US citizen. Can you get life insurance? The short answer is yes — and this article walks you through everything you need to know.
You Do Not Need a Green Card
Most people assume that life insurance in the United States is only available to citizens or permanent residents. That is not true. Insurance providers recognize that millions of skilled workers, spouses, students, and entrepreneurs live and work legally in the US on visas — and real coverage exists to match.
What matters to an insurer is not whether you are a citizen, but rather: Do you live here? Do you have stable income? Are you in good health? And can they verify your identity? If you can say yes to those questions, you are likely eligible.
Consider a 35-year-old software engineer from Germany living in the US on an EB-1 visa, earning $150,000 a year. He has lived in the country for several years, earns a solid income, and has no significant health issues. He qualifies for full life insurance coverage — including the most comprehensive term and permanent life products available. And because he holds a valid eligible visa, he can expect an instant decision with no medical exam required.
What Types of Life Insurance Are Available?
Foreign nationals generally have access to the same life insurance products as US citizens, depending on their visa and identification documents. There are four main options:
- Term Life Insurance. The most popular and affordable type. You pay a monthly premium for a set period — say, 10, 20, or 30 years — and if you pass away during that time, your beneficiaries receive a payout. Some policies also include living benefits, meaning you can access part of the benefit early if diagnosed with a serious illness.
- Index Universal Life Insurance (IUL). A permanent policy that does not expire. Part of your premium builds a cash value that can grow based on a market index. It is flexible and can serve as a long-term financial planning tool.
- Advantage Whole Life Insurance. Permanent coverage with a guaranteed death benefit and a cash value component that grows over time. Premiums remain level for life.
- Guaranteed Acceptance Whole Life. Coverage available regardless of health history — no medical questions asked. Designed as a safety net for people who may not qualify for standard underwriting.
For someone with a solid employment-based visa and good health, term life or an IUL will typically offer the best coverage at the most competitive rates — the same products a US citizen with a comparable income and health profile would choose.
What Documents Do You Need?
The documents you need depend on how you establish your identity and legal presence in the US. There are two main identification numbers used in the application process.
Social Security Number (SSN)
If you work legally in the US, you likely have a Social Security Number. When combined with a valid eligible visa, an SSN gives you the most straightforward path to coverage — no extra conditions, and the highest likelihood of an instant decision. Our German engineer above has an SSN and an EB-1 visa, putting him in this category.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
If you do not have an SSN, you may have an ITIN — a tax processing number issued by the IRS. ITINs are commonly held by spouses of visa holders, self-employed foreign nationals, and others who earn US income but are not eligible for an SSN. Life insurance is available to ITIN holders too, though some additional conditions may apply.
Eligibility at a Glance
Here is how eligibility breaks down depending on your documents:
| Your Documents | Key Conditions | Coverage Available |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible visa (SSN or ITIN) |
None — you qualify automatically | Term life, IUL, Whole life |
| EAD only (SSN or ITIN) |
Living in US 18+ months; no planned international travel within 2 years; US doctor visited within the last 18 months | Term life, IUL, Whole life |
| ITIN only (no visa or EAD) |
Age 25–60; $40K+ household income; US resident 18+ months; no planned international travel; US doctor visited within the last 18 months | Term life, IUL |
| SSN only (no visa or EAD) |
No additional conditions, but options are more limited | Whole life only |
EAD stands for Employment Authorization Document, issued to certain non-visa holders — such as DACA recipients or people in the process of changing visas — who are authorized to work in the US.
Which Visas Are Accepted?
If you are applying using a visa, it must be valid and appear on the list of accepted types below. The list is broad and covers most working professionals, students, family members of US citizens and residents, and certain other categories. Tourist visas, crew member visas, and transit visas are not accepted — these are designed for short-term stays rather than for people building a life here.
| Visa Type | Who This Visa Is For |
|---|---|
| E-1 | Treaty traders |
| E-2 | Treaty investors |
| E-3 | Australian specialty occupation workers |
| EB-1 | Priority workers — extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, multinational executives and managers |
| EB-2 | Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers |
| EB-5 | Immigrant investors |
| F1 | Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (21 and older) |
| F-1 | Academic students |
| F-2 | Dependents of F-1 visa holders |
| F-2A | Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents |
| F-2B | Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents |
| F-3 | Married sons and daughters of US citizens |
| F-4 | Brothers and sisters of US citizens |
| H-1B | Specialty occupations |
| H-1B1 | Free Trade Agreement workers in specialty occupations (Chile and Singapore) |
| H-1C | Nurses in health professional shortage areas |
| H-4 | Dependents of H visa holders |
| IR-1 | Spouse of a US citizen |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of a US citizen |
| K-3 | Spouse of a US citizen awaiting I-130 immigrant petition approval |
| L-1A | Executives and managers |
| L-1B | Workers with specialized knowledge |
| M-1 | Vocational students authorized for practical training |
| M-2 | Dependents of M-1 visa holders |
| O-1 | Individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement |
| O-2 | Individuals accompanying an O-1 visa holder |
| O-3 | Dependents of O-1 and O-2 visa holders |
| P-1 | Internationally recognized athletes or entertainment group members |
| P-2 | Artists or entertainers in reciprocal exchange programs |
| P-3 | Artists or entertainers in culturally unique programs |
| TN | USMCA professionals from Canada and Mexico |
| TD | Dependents of TN visa holders |
| V-1 | Spouses of US lawful permanent residents |
How the Application Works
The application process is entirely online — no medical exams, no blood draws, no appointments. Here is what to expect:
- Start online. When asked about your citizenship or residency status, select “Non-US citizen.” You will then enter your visa, EAD, or ITIN details.
- Answer a few health questions. These are straightforward questions about your medical history. The questionnaire is brief and takes only a few minutes.
- Upload your identity document. Visa and EAD holders upload a photo of their document. ITIN-only holders upload a government-issued photo ID (such as a passport) and complete a short selfie verification. Photos should be clear and well-lit — you get up to five attempts.
- Get your decision. Applicants with an eligible visa typically receive an instant decision. Those applying with only an EAD or ITIN may go through a brief manual review, but the process is still fast.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Your beneficiary does not need to live in the US
If your parents, spouse, or children live outside the United States, they can still receive the death benefit. Proceeds can be paid internationally, including via wire transfer to a foreign bank account. Some additional documentation may be required for international transfers, but there is no rule limiting benefits to US residents.
If you die abroad, your policy still pays
As long as your policy is active and the death is not excluded under the policy terms — such as suicide during the contestability period or an act of war — the insurer will pay the claim regardless of where you pass away. International travel does not void your coverage once the policy is in force.
Tax returns are not required
You will not be asked to submit tax returns as part of the standard application. Income may be verified during a manual review in some cases, but this is not typical, and you will be notified if that step is needed.
One current country restriction
Venezuelan nationals applying with an ITIN, EAD, or visa are currently not eligible for term life or IUL products. Venezuelan-born applicants who have obtained US permanent residency or citizenship are not affected by this restriction.
Putting It All Together
Returning to our German software engineer: he is 35, earns $150,000 a year on an EB-1 visa, and wants his family protected whether they are in San Francisco or Stuttgart. Here is his path to coverage:
- He has an SSN and a valid EB-1 visa — the most favorable combination for instant approval.
- He starts an online application, selects “Non-US citizen,” and enters his visa details.
- He answers a short health questionnaire — no surprises.
- He uploads a photo of his EB-1 visa from his phone.
- He receives an instant approval and selects a 20-year term life policy sized to replace several years of his income.
- He names his partner as primary beneficiary and his parents in Germany as secondary beneficiaries — both are fully eligible to receive the benefit.
The entire process takes under an hour. Being a foreign national was never actually the obstacle it seemed.
Coverage is underwritten by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. through Ethos. Products and features vary by state and are not available in all states. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.