‍

H-1B Visa Holders lose access to FHA loans affecting ~30,000 people per year

‍

As reported in Newsweek's "H-1B Visa Holders Disappear from US housing" and multiple sources, in May 2025, H-1B, L-1, and F-1 visa holders lost eligibility for FHA-insured mortgages. About ~30,000 visa-holder families got FHA loans in 2024. 

According to John Burns Research & Consulting, non-permanent residents went from 4% of FHA volume to near-zero in months (tweet).

These are people with stable jobs, high credit, years of tax-paying employment. They had gotten approved, were house hunting, and had made plans with their families. Then the rules changed.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀.

Conventional loans are still available, but they typically require:

• A larger downpayment (not 3.5%)
• Longer US-based credit history
• More extensive documentation

Non-Qualified Mortgage loans are an option, but come with higher interest rates (often 1-2% above conventional) and steeper down payments. For many, the math doesn't pencil anymore.

It’s frustrating to watch.

These prospective buyers are contributing to companies, communities, and paying taxes, and many want the opportunity to build wealth through their homes.

Beyond the policy change, there's a deeper mismatch here. Your visa expires in 3 years. Your green card might take 5-10. Your company might relocate you or you might relocate to take a new job. 

The 30-year mortgage was never built for this reality.  The housing market needs more options for people on shorter timelines -- testing a city, navigating uncertainty, planning for transfers. 

Acre was built for situations like this.  It isn’t a “workaround.” It is a strategic product that actually matches people’s needs.

If you are affected by this policy change or know someone who is please reach out to us at Acre (984) 370-8720 or visit acrehomes.com.

‍