Visa holders, green card holders, and other foreign nationals living in the U.S. are eligible for life insurance coverage.
Each life insurance company has slightly different guidelines for non-U.S. citizens, so it’s helpful to work with an independent broker when buying a policy. This way, they can help you compare guidelines from multiple insurers at the same time.
How non-US citizens can buy life insurance
Non-U.S. citizens will go through the same life insurance application process as citizens will.
First, you’ll complete your application. You’ll fill out some basic information about your health and finances. You may have to complete extra paperwork depending on your immigration status and documentation.
Then, you’ll take a medical exam or complete a medical questionnaire. The medical exam is free and resembles an annual visit to your doctor. You may not need an in-person exam if you have few health conditions and risk factors, but your insurance agent will let you know your options based on your overall profile.
Last, you’ll wait for the insurer to review your application, which can take up to four to six weeks. After that, you’ll sign your policy documents and pay your first premium to activate your coverage.
At Policygenius, our brokers are licensed in all 50 states and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process while offering transparent, unbiased advice tailored to your personal situation.
Can green card holders get life insurance?
Green card holders have the same life insurance options as U.S. citizens. Conditional green card holders are eligible for coverage with some insurers, too.
If you’re a green card holder, you’ll disclose your permanent resident status during the application process.
You’ll typically provide your green card number along with other standard identifying information, like your Social Security number (SSN) or driver’s license.
Other than that, most insurance companies will review your application the same as they would for U.S. citizens.
Can visa holders get life insurance?
Many types of visa holders can still get approved for life insurance in the U.S. There are two main categories of visas according to the U.S. State Department — immigrant and non-immigrant visas. [1]
More insurance companies tend to offer coverage for people with immigrant visas, because immigrant visas are meant for those who intend to stay in the U.S. permanently.
Non-immigrant visa holders can still get coverage with some insurers, but different companies may have different guidelines for people who are temporarily living in the U.S. for school, work, or otherwise.
Your policy options will ultimately depend on your specific type of visa.
Below are some common examples of immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
Visa category | Common types |
Immigrant visas | IR1, CR1, E1, E2, SD, SB |
Non-immigrant visas | B-1, B-2, A, H1-B, I, J, F |
During the application process, you’ll provide additional information related to your visa status, the purpose of your presence in the U.S., how long you’ve been living in the country, and how long you’re planning to stay.
This may include:
Your responsibilities in the U.S. Insurance companies want to confirm there’s an interest in staying in the U.S. in order to approve a life insurance policy for a non-U.S. citizen. If you have family, own property, or operate a business in the states, you may have an easier time getting approved for coverage.
How long you’ve lived in the U.S. Insurance companies are more likely to approve you for coverage if you’ve already lived in the U.S. for at least one to two years.
Life insurance requirements for non-US citizens
Life insurance companies will likely require that any necessary medical exams are performed in the U.S. Additionally, keep in mind that your beneficiary will need access to a U.S. bank account in order to claim the policy proceeds if you pass away.
What factors could prevent you from getting coverage?
Even if a life insurance company accepts applications from certain visa holders, a variety of related factors could prevent you from getting covered.
Country of origin. Insurers can’t accept applications from residents of some countries based on rules set by the U.S. State Department. [2] These restrictions are the same across all companies and are subject to change based on federal regulations.
International regulations. Some foreign countries prohibit citizens from buying life insurance policies outside of their country of origin. Insurers may be unable to sell policies to citizens of those countries regardless of their U.S. visa status.
Residency minimums. Some insurers require that you live in the U.S. from anywhere from one to five years before they’ll approve you for a policy. Alternatively, if you split your time between the U.S. and another country, some insurers require that you spend the majority of your time in the U.S. — but the minimum varies by company.
What are the best types of life insurance for non-US citizens?
The type of life insurance that’s best for you will depend on your financial needs, rather than your residency status. There are two main types of life insurance: term life insurance and permanent life insurance.
Term life insurance is one of the most popular and cheapest types of life insurance on the market. It lasts for a set period — usually 10 to 30 years — while you have the most financial responsibilities, like raising children or paying down a mortgage. If you’re looking for an affordable, easy way to provide a financial safety net for your loved ones in the event of your death, term life is your best choice.
Permanent life insurance lasts your entire life and is best suited for people with complex estate planning needs or specific financial circumstances, such as lifelong dependents. Permanent life insurance policies — like whole life insurance — are much more expensive than term life policies because they don’t expire and come with a cash value saving component that grows tax-free over time.
Working with a licensed agent can help you determine which type of life insurance is best for your situation, regardless of your green card or visa status.
Best life insurance companies for non-US citizens in 2024
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best life insurance for green card holders: Lincoln Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Lincoln Financial
4.8
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Lincoln Financial offers a diverse array of life insurance policies, including competitive no-med and high-net-worth options.
Pros and cons
Pros
Affordable rates
Good for many existing health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions
Good for marijuana users, including daily users
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Our analysis found that Lincoln Financial offers affordable prices and robust coverage to just about every U.S. permanent resident, including green card holders. Although many companies will insure green card holders, Lincoln Financial has some of the fewest stipulations, which can make qualifying for coverage easier.
If you’re a non-permanent resident, however, we suggest you consider other options. Lincoln Financial doesn’t extend life insurance coverage to visa holders.
Best life insurance for visa holders: Prudential
2024 Policygenius award winner
Prudential
4.1
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
With nearly four million policyholders and 150 years to its name, Prudential offers competitive coverage options for seniors, as well as people with some of the most common medical conditions, including asthma, depression, and fibromyalgia.
Pros and cons
Pros
Good for people over 60
More flexible income requirements than some other insurers
Considers applicants with a variety of immigration statuses (visas and green cards)
Cons
Younger applicants will likely find better prices elsewhere
Prudential is one of the best life insurance options for visa holders. The company accepts life insurance applications from many different kinds of visa holders, as long as they’ve been a U.S. resident for over one year. Prudential works with most types of visa and special status holders, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Our analysis found that life insurance applications involving some types of visas are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, so it’s still best to connect with a licensed agent to get personalized advice.
Best life insurance for immigrants to the US: Transamerica
Transamerica
4.6
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over 12 million active accounts today. It offers affordable rates for almost every age, and you can even skip the medical exam if you fall under a certain age or coverage amount.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for term life insurance
No-medical-exam available for qualifying applicants, including smokers and people between 60 and 70, which is rare
One of the fastest turnaround times in the industry for traditionally underwritten term policies
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Not a good option for people with a history of cancer, alcohol abuse, or asthma
Transamerica is our top pick for a wide array of immigrants shopping for life insurance in the U.S., including people who don’t have an SSN or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). However, keep in mind that additional restrictions may apply and eligibility will be largely determined by your personal situation.
Comparing the best life insurance companies for non-US citizens
Insurer | Policygenius rating | AM Best rating | Best for | |
4.8/5 ★ | A | Green card holders | ||
4.6/5 ★ | A | Immigrants, students | ||
4.1/5 ★ | A+ | Visa holders |
Learn more about the best life insurance companies of 2024
What happens to your life insurance policy if you move abroad?
If you’re a U.S. citizen and already have a life insurance policy, your coverage will stay active as long as you keep paying the premiums. When you apply, most insurance companies require you to disclose international travel plans within the next two years. If you don’t have plans to move immediately after your policy goes into effect, your coverage shouldn’t be impacted.
If you’re an expat and want to buy life insurance in the U.S., you’ll have a harder time getting approved. Insurers require applicants to sign and complete their policy paperwork in the U.S. Some companies are more flexible if you’re currently in the U.S. but split your time living in another country, or if you have a high global net worth.
Learn more about buying life insurance abroad
Learn more about finding your best life insurance policy
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to be a US citizen to have life insurance?
No — non-U.S. citizens have the option to purchase life insurance in the U.S. This applies to both temporary and permanent U.S. residents, such as visa and green card holders.
Can a non-US citizen be a life insurance beneficiary?
Your beneficiary doesn’t need to be a U.S. citizen. However, if they live outside the U.S., it may complicate the claims process. As long as your beneficiaries have access to a U.S. bank account, or they’re able to receive a check in the mail, the insurer should be able to pay out the claim.
Can undocumented immigrants get life insurance?
People without documentation have fewer life insurance choices because insurance companies struggle to assess insurance risk in these scenarios. However, some insurers do offer policies to people who qualify for DACA or refugee status. If you’re in this situation, working with an independent broker is a good way to compare guidelines from multiple insurers to find the best fit for you.
Can you buy life insurance without a green card?
Yes, you can buy life insurance without a green card if you have another kind of visa or documentation papers. An independent broker can help you compare guidelines from multiple insurers to find the one that will be most compatible with your specific type of visa or documentation.
