Honestly, I’ve seen some lenders still willing to work with H1-B holders if you’ve got a solid paper trail and steady employment. It’s a pain, but not impossible. Not every lender is equally strict—sometimes it just takes more shopping around than you’d expect.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d be careful about assuming it’s just a matter of shopping around. Lenders can change their policies overnight, especially with all the uncertainty around immigration rules lately. Even if you’ve got a rock-solid job and paperwork, I’ve seen deals fall through at the last minute because underwriters got spooked. If you’re thinking about buying, I’d suggest getting pre-approval in writing and double-checking the fine print—some lenders sneak in clauses about visa status changes. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely riskier than it used to be.
That’s a fair point about lenders tightening up—things really aren’t as straightforward as they were even a couple years ago. I’ve seen friends get pre-approved, only to have the bank back out right before closing because of some last-minute visa concern. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve already invested in inspections and appraisals. Has anyone actually managed to lock in a fixed-rate mortgage recently on an H1-B, or are most folks stuck with adjustable rates and extra hoops?
I’ve seen friends get pre-approved, only to have the bank back out right before closing because of some last-minute visa concern.
Not sure I fully agree that most folks are stuck with adjustables. My coworker actually just closed on a 30-year fixed last month, and he’s on an H1-B. Here’s what worked for him, step by step:
1. He went with a local credit union, not a big national bank.
2. Had all his visa docs ready—like, every page, even the boring ones.
3. Worked with a mortgage broker who’d handled H1-Bs before.
It wasn’t exactly easy, but he didn’t get any last-minute surprises. I think it’s more about finding the right lender than anything. Some places just don’t want to deal with the paperwork, but others are fine as long as your status is solid.
Yeah, I’ve seen both sides of this. Some lenders just freak out at the mention of “visa” and others barely blink if your paperwork’s airtight. I had a client last year—also H1-B—who got a 30-year fixed with a regional bank after two big-name lenders dragged him through the mud. The trick really is finding someone who’s done it before and isn’t scared of the process. It’s not impossible, just takes more legwork than most folks expect.
