H-1B Visa Mortgage in Texas: What Dallas Buyers Need to Know in 2026

Can you get a mortgage on an H-1B visa in Texas?

Yes. H-1B visa holders can qualify for a conventional mortgage in Texas on the same basic terms as U.S. citizens. In May 2025, HUD ended FHA loan eligibility for most non-permanent residents, including H-1B holders. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loans remain open to lawful non-permanent residents, and the requirements are more straightforward than many buyers expect: a 620 or higher credit score, two years of consistent work history, documented income, and proof of current work authorization.

By Paul Blair | October 24, 2026

Plano, Frisco, and Richardson are home to some of the largest concentrations of H-1B tech workers anywhere in the country outside Silicon Valley and New York. AT&T, Texas Instruments, JPMorgan Chase, Toyota, and dozens of other major employers sponsor tens of thousands of work visas in the DFW corridor every year.

So when those workers want to buy in Celina or McKinney or Allen, the question that stops them is usually some version of: can I actually qualify?

The answer in 2026 is yes, though the landscape shifted meaningfully in 2025. Here is what changed, and what you need to do to get into a home.

What Changed for H-1B Buyers in 2025

In May 2025, HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 2025-09, removing FHA loan eligibility for most non-permanent residents. That included the majority of H-1B visa holders.

Before that ruling, FHA was the most popular mortgage product for H-1B buyers. It allowed down payments as low as 3.5%, accepted credit scores starting at 580, and lenders liked it because the federal government backed the loan, which offset the perceived risk of a non-permanent residency status.

That option is now off the table for most H-1B holders.

What's still available is conventional financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Both agencies allow lawful non-permanent residents, including H-1B visa holders, to apply on the same underwriting terms as U.S. citizens. That guideline has been consistent since well before the FHA change, and it has not changed.

One important nuance: lenders can add their own requirements on top of agency guidelines. You may be asked for larger cash reserves, documented visa runway, or additional employment verification. Shopping your loan across at least two or three lenders matters more than it used to.

What You Need to Qualify

Most H-1B buyers who get approved for a conventional loan meet these basic criteria:

• Credit score: 620 or higher, though 680 or better improves your options significantly
• Work history: Two continuous years in the same field, preferably with the same employer
• Income documentation: Recent pay stubs, W-2s from the past two years, and an offer letter if you changed jobs recently
• Visa documentation: Your current H-1B approval notice, I-94, and any extension approvals
• Down payment: Minimum 3% to 5%, though some lenders prefer 10% for non-permanent resident borrowers

One factor makes a significant difference that many buyers overlook: whether your employer has filed an I-140 on your behalf.

An I-140 is the immigrant petition that starts the green card process. Having an approved I-140 does not make you a permanent resident. But it signals to underwriters that your employer is committed to a long-term path for you in the U.S., which matters when a lender is assessing the risk of a 30-year loan. If your I-140 is approved, bring it to every lender conversation. It can turn a difficult application into a straightforward one.

Your H-4 spouse's income counts as well. If your spouse works, their earnings are fully eligible for inclusion in your qualifying household income.

Working with a TREC-licensed broker who knows the DFW tech market can also help you find lenders with favorable non-permanent resident policies, rather than starting from scratch with whoever markets to you first.

If you're an H-1B buyer trying to figure out what you qualify for in Plano, Frisco, or anywhere in the DFW corridor, reach out to the Grey Square team. We can connect you with lenders experienced in non-permanent resident mortgages and walk you through your numbers before you start your search.

Why the Timing May Be in Your Favor

Bloomberg ran a feature in June 2026 specifically on North Texas and the H-1B housing market, noting that South Asian tech workers had become the most important first-time buyer demographic for new-home builders along the Plano and Frisco corridors. The piece also documented how suburban expansion into Prosper and Celina was shaped significantly by this demand.

That demand softened in late 2025 and early 2026, partly because of the FHA rule change and partly from broader policy uncertainty around H-1B fees and registration. Collin County posted roughly a 9% year-over-year price decline in early 2026, and economists identified the H-1B market shift as a contributing factor.

The practical result: buyers who stayed engaged through the uncertainty are now looking at meaningfully lower prices in Celina, Prosper, and McKinney than they would have paid 18 months ago. The policy change that pushed some buyers to the sidelines may have created better buying conditions for the ones who kept going.

Texas also imposes no state income tax. That difference alone improves effective purchasing power compared to buyers working in California or New York, which matters when you are computing what you can afford in Allen or Richardson.

The 60-Day Risk and How to Think About It

The most common concern H-1B buyers raise when thinking about a purchase: what happens if I lose my job?

H-1B visa holders who lose employer sponsorship have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor, transfer to another visa category, or leave the country. That creates a real risk for anyone holding a mortgage.

There is no perfect solution. But there are ways to reduce the impact:

• Build larger reserves. Going into the purchase with six months of mortgage payments in liquid savings gives you more flexibility if something unexpected happens.
• Keep your loan-to-value lower. A higher down payment means more equity, which preserves your ability to sell cleanly if you need to exit quickly.
• Choose a liquid market. Homes in Plano, Frisco, and Allen have historically moved faster than those in more remote outer-ring subdivisions. That matters if you ever need to sell on short notice.
• Consider your employer's track record. A company that has sponsored and extended dozens of H-1B holders over many years carries different risk than a startup with two or three sponsored employees.

None of this is a reason to avoid buying. It is a reason to buy with a financial cushion that accounts for your actual circumstances.

USDA loans, which apply to some suburban and outer-ring properties, require lawful permanent residency. If you are shopping in the growth corridors where USDA rural designations overlap with new construction, you will need conventional or jumbo financing. Your lender can confirm which zones apply to specific properties you're considering.

Buyers who are in the green card process with an approved I-140 and a pending I-485 should ask lenders directly about their policy on adjustment-of-status borrowers. Some lenders treat that stage similarly to permanent residency even before the green card physically arrives.

For buyers who do not have a Social Security number, the H-1B mortgage process described here is different from what applies. That situation involves ITIN lending, which operates under separate guidelines. If that applies to you, there's a separate guide on ITIN mortgage lending in Texas.

If you're a first-time buyer wondering whether Texas down payment assistance programs apply to your situation, some do. Certain TSAHC and TDHCA programs for Dallas buyers work with non-permanent residents. The eligibility rules are worth reviewing before you assume you're excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What mortgage options does someone on an H-1B visa have when buying a home in Dallas, Texas?

H-1B visa holders can qualify for conventional mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on the same terms as U.S. citizens. Since May 2025, FHA loans are no longer available for most non-permanent residents including H-1B holders. Jumbo and portfolio loans through certain lenders are also available, though terms and requirements vary by lender.

Did FHA change its rules for H-1B visa holders in 2025?

Yes. In May 2025, HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 2025-09, which removed FHA loan eligibility for most non-permanent residents effective for new case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025. The change was tied to a February 2025 executive order affecting federal housing programs. H-1B holders who had FHA case numbers assigned before that date were not affected.

Does having an I-140 petition approved help me qualify for a mortgage?

An approved I-140 significantly strengthens a mortgage application. It tells the lender that your employer has formally committed to sponsoring your green card process, which reduces the perceived risk of a 30-year loan to a non-permanent resident. Many lenders treat I-140 approval as a meaningful positive factor in underwriting, and some will approve applications with more favorable terms as a result.

What happens to my home if I lose my H-1B job?

You keep your home. There is no visa-related requirement to sell a property if your employment changes. The 60-day grace period affects your ability to remain in the country, not your property ownership. The practical risk is financial: if a job loss leads to a visa situation that forces you to leave the country, you would need to sell or rent out the home from abroad. Maintaining six months of cash reserves is the most effective way to manage this risk.

Can my H-4 spouse's income count toward mortgage qualification?

Yes. Income earned by an H-4 spouse who is authorized to work is fully countable for mortgage qualification purposes. H-4 employment authorization remains in place for spouses of certain H-1B holders who have an approved I-140. Ask your lender about the specific documentation they require to count spousal H-4 income.

I have helped buyers navigate this market from the new-build corridors in Prosper and Celina to established neighborhoods in Richardson, and the H-1B mortgage question is one of the most important ones I'm working through with clients right now in 2026.

About Paul Blair

Paul Blair is the founder and broker of Grey Square, a virtual real estate brokerage representing buyers and sellers across Dallas, Los Angeles and Houston. With 22 years in the business, Paul works the full range of the market, from luxury homes in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow to estates in the Hollywood Hills and across the Westside. Connect with Paul and the Grey Square team at greysq.com. TX TREC #9011505 · CA DRE #01792671.