What Are Your Life Insurance Options With H1B Visa? 5 FAQs

In this guide, we will outline the life insurance options with H1B visa. H1B visa holders can secure term and permanent life insruance plans, if they have been in the US for a period of at least 12 months and meet additional criteria. We will cover the qualifications and also answer 5 common questions we’ve received. Life insruance is possible as a visa holder, as long as you apply with the right carrier.

If at any point you have any questions, are not covered in the guide, or would like us to take a close look into your personal situation, just reach out to us. You can do so by filling out the instant quote form, sending us a message, or simply giving us a call.

Here is what we would cover

• What are the options for someone with an H1B visa
• 5 FAQs about life insurance for visa holders
• Qualifications of life insurance for H1B visa holders
• Important things to consider (do not skip this)

Ok, let’s dive in….

What Types of Life Insurance Can H1B Visa Holders Get?

When it comes to life insruance as a visa holder, you have options. We’ve divided them into 2 major categories, based on duration and features. This is a quick overview.

Let’s look at each option. We will list a brief description and go over the pros and cons.

Term insurance for visa holders

Yes – H1B visa holders can often qualify for term life insurance. A term life insurance policy provides coverage for a fixed period (10, 20, 30 or even 40 years) with a fixed premium that does not change during that term. It is one of the most affordable ways to get significant amount of protection.

Advantages:

• Low Cost: Among life insurance products, term is usually the most budget-friendly option. A 35 year-old-healthy male can purchase a $1,000,000-15 year term plan for as little as $24.50 per month.

• Predictability: You know exactly what you will pay and how long the coverage lasts. It is a very straightforward product.

• No-exam options: Some carriers allow H1b applicants to skip the medical exam if certain criteria are met (e.g., good health, regular follow-up and etc.).

• Living benefits: Some term policies include or allow accelerated riders for critical illness, chronic illness, or terminal illness so you can access funds while alive.

Here are the Top 3 companies for H1B visa holders as of 2025

Disadvantages:

• No cash value: Unlike permanent policies, term does not build savings or equity.

• Coverage ends: Once the term expires (10,20 30 years), you’ll need to renew (often at higher rates) or convert to another policy.

Permanent insurance with an option of Return of Premium

Permanent life insurance is designed to last for your entire lifetime, not just a specific period like term insurance. It can also accumulate cash value, which grows tax-deferred and be be accessed while you’re alive.

There are different types of permanent insurance – including Whole Life, Indexed Universal Life (IUL), and Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL). Some plans also come with a Return of Premium (ROP) option, where you can receive your money back if you decide to cancel or reduce the policy after a certain number of years.

Advantages:

• Lifetime coverage: As the name suggests, as long as the premiums are paid, your coverage will last you a lifetime. This provides peace of mind, especially if you want to leave a legacy or cover long-term needs.

• Cash value accumulation: Some permanent plans build cash value. This funds can be accessed tax-free through loans or withdrawals. This money can be used to supplement retirement needs.

• Return of premium option: Select plans offer the ability to get 100% of your premiums back after a certain number of years (usually 20 or 25), giving you flexibility if your needs change.

• Portable coverage: Most permanent life insurance policies are portable and can remain in force even if you leave the US.

• Living benefits: Just like term policies, permanent plans may include accelerated benefit riders that let you access the death benefit while alive in case of a terminal, chronic, or critical illness.

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost: Permanent insurance is more expensive than term insurance. However, options like GUL or plans with ROP can offer lifetime coverage at a more affordable cost than traditional whole life.

• More complex: These plans often have moving parts like cash value, interest credits, or flexible premiums. It’s important to understand how the policy works and how performance may affect long-term guarantees.

Please note, in our opinion, that when it comes to choosing a life insurance option, there is an optimal one. We have worked with thousands of visa holders and have advised them to consider a life insurance strategy. Here is a separate post outlining what we believe to be the best life insurance option with an H1B visa.

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5 FAQs on Life Insurance Options with H1B Visa

Here are some of the most common questions we’ve encountered when reviewing life insurance options for H1B visa holders:

Q: Would a policy cover me anywhere in the world?

A: Yes, it would. The biggest thing you need to be mindful of is answering honestly on the application. In other words, if you know you will be moving permanently abroad in the next 2 years, you need to disclose that on your application. For more information, you can review our guide on Life insurance payout if I die abroad. We have also created a comprehensive guide outlining the steps to take if filing a claim for a foreign death.

Q: My beneficiary does not live in the US. Is that OK?

A: Yes, as long as there is a clear insurable interest. We’ve dedicated an entire article to the topic of can a beneficiary lives abroad.

Q: Can I cancel my policy at any time?

A: Yes, you can. Insurance is at-will participation. You can cancel your policy, there will be no penalties or fees. On the other side, the life insurance company can never cancel your policy, as long as you are making your payments.

Q: Is there any fee to apply?

A: No, there is no fee to apply for life insurance. Even if you would have to complete a medical exam, it will be of no cost to you.

Q: Will I pay more as a non-US citizen?

A: No, companies will not increase the rate only due to citizenship. However, some companies will not approve your application due to your immigration status or may not offer you the best rate available because of your visa. In other words, when it comes time to examining your life insurance options with H1B visa, it is best to work with an agency specializing in life insurance for foreign nationals.

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Qualifications of life insurance with an H1B visa

We’ve covered in depth the criteria for coverage and what exactly carriers are looking for when it comes to life insurance with an H1B visa. For more detailed information, simply review our guide on the subject.

In a nutshell, here are the main qualifications:

• You need to be in the US for the application/underwriting process
• Companies would consider what are your financial ties to the US (why policy in the US makes financial sense)
• Country of origin
• Health/Lifestyle – you need to medically qualify for coverage

Again, for a more in-depth analysis, feel free to review our post (we linked to it above).

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Important things to consider when applying for coverage as a visa holder

Here are some additional things that every visa holder should consider, when appying for coverage. When we say companies have different requirements for life insurance options with H1B visa, we really mean it.

This is why working with an agency that can advise you of this requirements, will not only give you a changce of a better rate, but it coudl be the difference between getting your appliction approved or decliend.

How Long Have You Been In The US?

Yes, length of stay in the US is a crucial factor when deciding which company can offer the best life insurance option with H1B visa.

The rule is: the longer you have been in the US, the more options for coverage you have:

• 0-10 months—there are no options for term insurance in the US. Companies will postpone your life insurance until you have been here for a minimum of 10 months. There is only one carrier that can consider coverage.

• 12 months—2 years—there are more companies that can offer life insurance protection for someone who is here on a H1B visa. The downside is that many of the carriers will NOT offer their best rate class available if you have not been in the US for at least 3 years.

• 3+ years— if you have been in the US for 3+ years, most life insurance options with H1B visa will be available to you. In addition, some companies can consider your application without the need of a medical exam.

What is Your Country of Origin?

This is also a factor that companies are considering when underwriting your life insurance option.

Let us explain.

Companies have a list categorizing various countries in the worlds. Each country is assiigned a category: A, B, C, D. If you are citizen of A or B country, you are likely to have the most options. However, if you are a citizen of a C or D, you might be very limited, to uneligible for insurance.

Here are the challanges:

• The list is not unified. Every company makes it’s own classification of the counrties.
• The classifications change often and on top of that,
• One counrty can be assined 2 separate classification based on teh different parts of the country.

Does the policy include any additional benefits?

There are many companies on the market today offering life insurance with living benefits included and many of our clients see a huge value in that. 

In a nutshell, living benefits allow you to “use” your life insurance while still alive. Should you be diagnosed with a health condition, such as a heart attack, stroke, or invasive cancer, you can file a claim against your death benefit and accelerate a portion of it.

Essentially, you don’t have to die for the policy to payout. Even though hope you never suffer any of these conditions, it is reassuring to know there might be applicable coverage. 

Are you able to secure a policy without a medical exam

We understand that many people do not mind completing a medical exam if this will increase their chances of getting approval and possibly lower rates. However, if you can secure the same policy with no medical exam, would it be better?

Many companies are offering accelerating options and we were able to secure life insurance for H1B visa holders without a medical exam.

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In conclusion,

When it comes to life insurance options with H1B visa, there are several important things to consider: what are your intentions, what are your needs, and are you looking for additional benefits?

If you’re on H‑1B and want a customized comparison of carriers that will accept your profile, contact us now for a free consult and quote.

We hope you find this guide helpful and are looking forward to working with you.

 Thank you!