Welcome to Insurance and Estates. We specialize in life insurance for foreign nationals and non-U.S. residents. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility requirements, recent industry changes, and strategies for securing coverage regardless of your immigration status.
In today’s increasingly globalized world, the demand for U.S.-based life insurance among foreign nationals has surged, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, many carriers have expanded their offerings and streamlined application processes to better serve this growing market.
Key Market Update (2025): Since 2023, several major carriers including John Hancock, Lincoln Financial, Pacific Life, Prudential, and Symetra have relaxed their underwriting guidelines for foreign nationals, particularly regarding nexus requirements (U.S. ties) and power of attorney for policy delivery.
On your search for the right company to meet your needs, it’s important to understand that there is no “best” foreign national life insurance company. Rather, the best life insurance company for you will be the one that offers the right policy, designed for your specific need and purpose.
If you are in the market for life insurance as a non-resident alien, foreign national, or non-U.S. resident, we can help put the pieces together to create a holistic plan that provides you with the ability to create wealth, protect your existing wealth and leave a legacy.
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Table of Contents
- Eligibility Requirements
- Additional Requirements
- Policy Options and Definitions
- Top Insurance Carriers (2025 Update)
- Insurance Costs
- Types of Policies Available
- Country Eligibility Lists
- High Net Worth Client Focus
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Eligibility Requirements for Foreign National Life Insurance
There are four immigration statuses in the U.S.: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants. Life insurance companies will consider you a non-U.S. resident if you reside or travel outside the U.S. over three months a year for “B” countries and over six months a year for “A” countries.
There are two main requirements involved in securing U.S. based life insurance as a non-resident alien, foreign national, or non-U.S. resident. The two categories are “connection” and “valid need.”
Connection to U.S.
As a foreign national who does not reside in the U.S., you must establish a connection to the U.S. Some connections to the U.S. that are generally accepted would be:
- Real estate ownership
- U.S. based business ownership
- U.S. estate tax liability
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (e.g., green card holders)
- 20% of assets are in the U.S.
- Married to a U.S. citizen
- Family in the U.S.
- Good prospects for remaining in the U.S. indefinitely
- Written commitment with your U.S. based employer
- Student at a University or College
Valid Need
Further, you must have a valid need for U.S. based life insurance policy. The following qualify for valid needs:
- Wealth Preservation
- Funding Estate Taxes
- Business Succession Planning
- Income Protection
Estate Tax Planning (2025 Update): Foreign nationals face a significant estate tax disparity. While U.S. residents enjoy a $13.99 million federal estate tax exemption, non-residents are limited to only a $60,000 exemption. Life insurance has become an increasingly strategic tool to address this substantial gap, as noted by Guardian Life.
Additional Requirements for Non-U.S. Residents & Foreign Nationals
Must Be In U.S.
All activity relating to obtaining a life insurance policy must take place in the U.S. This includes the solicitation all the way up to policy delivery. The agent must deliver the policy to the policy owner in the U.S. issued state. Ideally, you will want to be in the U.S. for up to 90 days as underwriting may take anywhere from 1 week up to 12 weeks, or more depending on your unique situation.
Post-COVID Update: Following the pandemic, several carriers have implemented more digital and remote application options, streamlining the process for international applicants. This includes more flexibility with power of attorney for policy delivery, according to recent industry reports.
Necessary ID Required
A social security number is not necessary but some identification will be required, such as:
- A copy of your visa and your passport number, expiration date and country of issuance.
- Permanent resident ID card. For permanent residents, that will include green card holders or white card holders.
- Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and a valid U.S. residential address.
If you are in the U.S. annually for at least nine months and you have a minimum of one year of U.S. residency prior to your request for a life insurance policy, you will be considered if you hold one of the required temporary visa types.
Required Temporary Visa Types*
E1, E2, H1B, H1C, H4, K1, K3, L1, L2, O1, O3, P, TN, V1.
*All other visa types will be considered on a case by case basis.
2025 Visa Update: Carriers have clarified eligibility by visa category, with particular preference for E2, EB5, H1B, and L1 visa holders. More specificity with visa requirements is now standard industry practice, as detailed by Nationwide.
U.S. Financial Institution
Premiums must be paid through wire transfer, automatic debit or by check from a U.S. financial institution from your own account.
Financial Records
Life insurance companies do background checks and you will need to go through financial underwriting, where the insurance company will look into you financial records to verify that your finances are what you say they are.
The financial requirements for a life insurance policy consist of:
- A financial questionnaire
- for $5,000,000 or more: Third party financial statement / proof of ownership
- for $10,000,000 or more: an Inspection Report is required
High Net Worth Client Focus (2025 Update)
Recent years have seen a notable shift toward high-net-worth foreign nationals in the U.S. life insurance market. This trend has brought both stricter financial requirements and more flexible coverage options.
HNW Eligibility Thresholds: For high-net-worth foreign nationals, carriers are typically looking for:
- Minimum net worth of $5 million
- U.S. assets of at least $200,000 or 25% of the coverage amount
- Stronger documentation of U.S. ties
- Cleaner medical histories for large permanent policies
Coverage limits have expanded significantly, with some carriers now offering up to $30-40 million in coverage for qualifying foreign nationals. However, this comes with more stringent financial and medical underwriting requirements.
According to recent market analyses, premium financing arrangements—previously unavailable to foreign nationals—are now being considered by select carriers for high-net-worth clients, making larger policies more accessible.
Occupation
The carrier will want to know what your occupation is.
- You may not be eligible if you are involved in foreign military, police, government or judicial services.
- Other occupations that tend to make it difficult to qualify for U.S. based life insurance for a non U.S. resident or foreign national would be big game hunters, missionaries and journalists.
- A foreign national life insurance policy is also available for students, such as those in the U.S. temporarily studying at University.
Insurable Interest
Coverage amount varies and you must have an insurable interest. An insurable interest means the beneficiary has a financial interest in the continued life of the insured and that the beneficiary would sustain a financial loss if the insured die prematurely. The bigger companies will insure you up to $40,000,000, i.e. $40 million if you are a resident of an “A” country with the accompanying insurable interest.
Ages
Age limits vary from carrier to carrier. Generally, you will need to be between the ages of 18 – 75 to be eligible for class A and B countries and age 70 max for class C and D countries.
Health Rating
Life insurance companies will assign a specific health rating to your policy. You must be able to qualify for at least a Table D rating or better. In order to qualify for life insurance, you must go through life insurance underwriting, which may require a medical exam. We have a detailed article on taking the life insurance medical exam to help you get the best results possible.
The medical requirements for a life insurance policy consist of:
- Paramedical exam
- Urine specimen
- Blood profile
- Possible Resting EKG / Treadmill EKG (Based on age and amount)
No-Exam Options (2025): While traditional underwriting remains common, some carriers now offer simplified issue or no-exam policies for non-residents, particularly for smaller coverage amounts. These options feature streamlined underwriting but typically come with higher premiums.
Premium Financing Update
Previously, foreign nationals were not allowed to use premium financing. However, as of 2025, select carriers now consider premium financing arrangements for high-net-worth foreign nationals. This represents a significant shift in the market and opens new possibilities for large policy acquisitions.
If you need premium financing life insurance, please call or email us for more information about these new opportunities and specific eligibility requirements.
5 Years
It is easier to get life insurance if you are in the U.S. on a visa and you plan on remaining in the U.S. for at least 5 years.
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Foreign Travel/National Questionnaire
You must fill out the Foreign Travel/National Questionnaire also known as a Foreign Resident Inquiry Form. Different countries are classified according to a rating scale (A, B, C, D, and U). Certain countries and its citizens will not be eligible for different reasons, such as country risk or due to specific rules of that country regarding buying life insurance from a foreign nation.
Owner
As a foreign resident, the policy must be owned by you, the insured, or a U.S. based entity that has the requisite insurable interest. A third-party foreign entity or a foreign resident may not own your policy.
Life Insurance Policy Definitions
It is important to know the characters in the play when seeking out, designing and implementing your life insurance plan. The main definitions to know when looking for life insurance as a non US resident or foreign national include: Policy, Owner, Insurer, Insured, Beneficiary, Insurance Premiums, Death Benefit and Cash Value.
- Policy: A policy is the binding contract between the owner and the insurer. The insurer is bound to the terms of the contract and cannot cancel the life insurance policy except for non payment of premium payments.
- Owner: The owner of the policy is the party that enters into the binding legal contract between the owner and the life insurance company.
- Insurer: The insurer, aka the carrier, aka the company, is the entity that guarantees the terms of the contract. All policy guarantees are backed by the viability of the company issuing the life insurance policy.
- Insured: the insured is the individual that the policy is covering. The insured is often the same person as the owner, although that is not necessarily a requirement.
- Beneficiary: the beneficiary is the person or entity that receives the life insurance death benefit from the insurer upon the death of the insured.
- Insurance Premiums: life insurance premiums are the payment due to keep the policy active and in force on the life of the insured.
- Death Benefit: the death benefit is the amount of payout that will go to the beneficiary upon the death of the insured, minus any outstanding policy loans. You can decide how you want the death benefit to go to your beneficiary in advance, including as a lump sum, interest only, or as payment over a set number of years.
- Cash Value: the policy’s cash surrender value is the amount of money that is accumulating in the permanent life insurance, that can be accessed through surrender of the policy, withdrawals or used as collateral for policy loans.
- Simplified Issue: A life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam. Instead, the applicant will need to provide answers to health and lifestyle questions.
Best Life Insurance Companies (2025 Update)
2025 Carrier Updates: Recent rankings highlight State Farm, Prudential, and AIG as leading providers for non-U.S. citizens, with new flexible policy options and expanded international coverage. Other top carriers include John Hancock, Lincoln Financial, Pacific Life, and Symetra, which have liberalized their underwriting for foreign nationals post-COVID, as reported by Windsor Insurance.
The best life insurance companies for foreign nationals would include the following:
How much does life insurance for foreign nationals cost?
You can view the tables below to get an idea of the cost of term life insurance and whole life insurance.
Term Life Insurance Rates
Whole Life Insurance Rates
| Age | $100,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | $83 | $151 | $293 | $580 |
| 25 | $92 | $178 | $348 | $689 |
| 30 | $105 | $216 | $422 | $839 |
| 35 | $121 | $267 | $522 | $1038 |
| 40 | $141 | $326 | $639 | $1273 |
| 45 | $173 | $401 | $789 | $1571 |
| 50 | $214 | $499 | $982 | $1959 |
| 55 | $270 | $629 | $1239 | $2473 |
| 60 | $324 | $802 | $1582 | $3158 |
| Age | $100,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | $56 | $132 | $255 | $504 |
| 25 | $66 | $156 | $304 | $602 |
| 30 | $79 | $188 | $368 | $729 |
| 35 | $96 | $230 | $450 | $894 |
| 40 | $115 | $278 | $544 | $1081 |
| 45 | $143 | $350 | $685 | $1364 |
| 50 | $175 | $429 | $843 | $1681 |
| 55 | $223 | $549 | $1082 | $2158 |
| 60 | $280 | $700 | $1381 | $2756 |
What Types of Life Insurance Can a Foreign National or Non-US Citizen Get?
A qualifying applicant can get any of the three types of life insurance, which include term life insurance, universal life insurance and whole life insurance.
- A term life insurance policy provides coverage for a specified period, offering a death benefit without a cash value component.
- A universal life insurance policy is permanent and offers more flexibility in premiums and death benefits than a whole life policy.
- A whole life insurance policy is also a form of permanent life insurance with a fixed premium and a cash value component that grows over time.
Policy Selection Guidance (2025): Term life insurance is generally easier to obtain for non-residents, while permanent policies (whole, universal) often require stronger U.S. ties and more comprehensive documentation. For high-net-worth individuals seeking wealth transfer and estate planning solutions, permanent policies offer strategic advantages despite the more rigorous application requirements.
Potential Eligible Countries
Please note: The following lists are subject to change and may not be up to date.
The following list of countries are for informational purposes only. Being a resident from one of the countries is not a guarantee that you can qualify for a U.S. based life insurance policy as a foreign national or non U.S. resident.
Most of our business are Non-US residents of China and Mexico, both currently “B” countries. However, there are many other countries that may be considered.
Residents of the following countries may be considered for U.S. based life insurance
Antigua, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada (except British Colombia and Manitoba), Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam
Countries that have laws that prohibit the sale of life insurance to their residents include:
Argentina, Canadian Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Panama and Spain.
Citizens of other countries living in Czech Republic and Spain may still be eligible.
Resident vs Non US Resident: Life insurance companies will consider you non-U.S. residents if you live or travel outside the U.S. for more than three months a year for “B” countries and over six months a year for “A” countries.
List of “A” Countries:
A Non-Resident Alien from an “A” or “B” country, living in the U.S. full time on a valid visa can qualify for up to $40,000,000 of permanent life insurance with specific carriers. In addition, applicants from A or B countries can qualify for the best rate class.
Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel (excluding Gaza and West Bank), Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Monaco, Montenegro, Montserrat, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turks/Caicos, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City, Virgin Islands (U.S. and British)
List of “B” Countries
Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Guiana, Georgia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Niue, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
List of “C” Countries
A Non-Resident Alien from an “C” country, living in the U.S. full time on a valid visa can qualify for up to $24,000,000 of permanent life insurance with specific carriers. In addition, applicants from C countries can qualify for the preferred rate class (preferred plus rate class not available).
Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Colombia, Comoros, El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Venezuela, West Bank
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-US citizens or undocumented immigrant buy life insurance in the United States?
Yes, if you meet certain requirements you can get U.S. based life insurance as a non-US citizen or undocumented immigrant.
Can a non us resident or non us citizen get life insurance without a medical exam?
Yes, qualifying applicants can get no exam life insurance, even if they are a non us citizen or foreign national.
What is the difference between a resident and a non us resident?
Life insurance companies will consider you a non-U.S. resident if you reside or travel outside the U.S. over three months a year for “B” countries and over six months a year for “A” countries.
Can a non US citizen or undocumented immigrant get an ITIN number?
Yes, your Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) is issued irrespective of your immigration status because you, whether a resident or nonresident alien, might have a filing or reporting obligation under the Internal Revenue Code.
How does the $60,000 estate tax exemption affect foreign nationals?
Foreign nationals face a significant estate tax disadvantage compared to U.S. citizens. While U.S. citizens enjoy a $12.92 million federal estate tax exemption, non-residents are limited to only a $60,000 exemption. This makes proper life insurance planning crucial for wealth preservation.
What visa types are most favorable for obtaining life insurance?
Carriers typically prefer applicants with E1, E2, EB5, H1B, H1C, H4, K1, K3, L1, L2, O1, O3, P, TN, and V1 visas. These visa categories generally indicate stronger ties to the U.S. and longer anticipated stays.
Can high-net-worth foreign nationals use premium financing?
As of 2025, select carriers now consider premium financing arrangements for high-net-worth foreign nationals, though with stricter requirements. This represents a significant market shift from previous years when premium financing was not available to foreign nationals.
What are the minimum financial requirements for high-coverage policies?
For policies over $5 million, carriers typically require a minimum net worth of $5 million, U.S. assets of at least $200,000 or 25% of the coverage amount, and third-party financial statement verification.
Asset Protection & Portfolio Diversification
For high-net-worth foreign nationals, U.S.-based life insurance offers significant advantages beyond traditional death benefit protection. Recent guidance has emphasized life insurance as a powerful tool for asset protection and portfolio diversification, particularly amid global economic uncertainty.
Strategic Benefits for HNW Foreign Nationals:
- Asset Protection: Life insurance policies can provide protection from creditors in many jurisdictions
- Currency Diversification: USD-denominated policies offer protection against home currency volatility
- Tax-Advantaged Growth: Cash value accumulation in permanent policies grows tax-deferred
- Estate Liquidity: Provides funds to address the limited $60,000 estate tax exemption for non-residents
- Privacy: Offers confidential wealth transfer outside of probate process
According to recent industry analyses, there’s been a notable trend of foreign nationals using U.S. life insurance as part of a broader wealth preservation strategy, particularly as global financial volatility has increased since 2023.
Application Process Updates (2025)
The application process for foreign nationals has evolved significantly in recent years, with both stricter documentation requirements and more digital options becoming available.
Document Requirements
In addition to the standard ID requirements mentioned earlier, carriers now more strictly require:
- Proof of a U.S. bank account (statements for the past 3-6 months)
- Evidence of a valid U.S. address (utility bills, lease agreements)
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Detailed financial documentation showing both U.S. and global assets
- Verification of visa status and remaining duration
Digital Application Options
Post-COVID, many carriers have implemented more digital and remote application options, including:
- Video-based medical interviews
- Electronic signature capabilities
- Remote document verification
- Digital policy delivery options
These innovations have streamlined the process for international applicants, though in-person requirements still exist for many aspects of the application.
Conclusion
The market for life insurance for foreign nationals and non-U.S. residents has evolved significantly since 2023, with carriers liberalizing underwriting guidelines, introducing premium financing options, and streamlining application processes. For high-net-worth individuals in particular, these changes represent valuable new opportunities for wealth protection and transfer.
You do not need to know everything listed here. However, what you do need is to have a life insurance agent that understands foreign national cases and life insurance for non-us residents. At Insurance and Estates, we stay current with the latest carrier changes and market developments to ensure our clients receive the most advantageous coverage options available.
The substantial estate tax disparity—$60,000 exemption for non-residents versus $13.99 million for U.S. residents—makes proper life insurance planning absolutely essential for foreign nationals with U.S. assets. Our team specializes in navigating these complex scenarios to create holistic wealth preservation strategies.
Explore Life Insurance Options for Foreign Nationals
Unsure how to secure U.S.-based life insurance as a non-U.S. resident? Our expert team at Insurance and Estates offers personalized guidance to navigate eligibility, carrier options, and estate tax challenges tailored to your unique situation.
- ✓ Get a customized analysis of life insurance policies suited for foreign nationals
- ✓ Understand how to establish U.S. ties and meet valid need requirements
- ✓ Explore premium financing and high-net-worth coverage options for 2025
- ✓ Receive clear insights on estate tax planning and wealth preservation strategies
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today to build a life insurance plan that protects your wealth and legacy.
No commitment. No pressure. Just professional advice to help you secure the right life insurance as a foreign national.
8 comments
stephen
Hello there,
I”m interested in Whole Life insurance in order to implement the infinite banking concept.
Look forward to hearing from you
Insurance&Estates
Thank you. We will reach out to you shortly.
steve
could you please delete my comment as contains personal information
Insurance&Estates
No problem. We will not publish your prior comment.
Sincerely,
I&E
Amalia L
I am interested in life insurance and will appreciate a phone number were I can call to provide all my info to get a quote.
Please contact me.
Amalia
Insurance&Estates
Amalia,
Thank you for your interest.
We can be reached at 877-787-7558.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
I&E
Vaa
I very interested. But I need to see the plan and policy. Had a very bad experience with the previous insurance. I’m not really trusting Insurance nowadays please send me a quote
Insurance&Estates
Thanks for your interest and I’m sorry for your bad experience in the past. If you really would like to work on a plan and policy design, it would be good to discuss your situation and goals in more detail. Please feel free to e-mail me directly at steve@insuranceeandestates.com to begin the conversation. We are committed to transparency, open sharing of information and ONLY providing solid strategic estate planning guidance. Whatever you decide, we appreciate your comments.