Investing
Investing in the US while on a visa
Investing in the US on a visa — can H-1B holders buy stocks, 401(k) and Roth IRA rules, brokerage access, and what happens to your accounts if you leave.
Holding a temporary visa does not, by itself, stop you from investing in the United States. Brokerage accounts, employer retirement plans, and index funds are generally available to visa holders who can satisfy identity and tax documentation requirements. The complications are rarely about permission — they are about tax treatment and what happens when you leave.
Two questions matter more than picking investments. First, does your employer match retirement contributions? An unmatched decision about which fund to hold is far less consequential than leaving free matching money on the table. Second, what happens to each account if you move abroad, since some brokerages restrict or close accounts for non-US-resident holders.
These guides cover the mechanics and the questions worth asking before you fund an account. Which specific investments suit you depends on facts we cannot see, and on your tax residency — which is why the tax section comes first.
- Guides live
- 03
- In progress
- 01
- Questions answered
- 03
- Cost
- Free · no account required
Guides in this section
- 01
Investing on a visa
LiveWhat is commonly allowed and what to confirm with counsel.
- 02
H-1B and Roth IRA basics
LiveEligibility patterns and pitfalls for temporary workers.
- 03
Brokerages for nonresidents
SoonAccount types and documentation newcomers often need.
- 04
What happens to a 401(k) if you leave
LiveOptions people weigh when departing the U.S.
Common questions
- 01Can H-1B holders invest in US stocks?
- Generally yes. Buying and selling publicly traded securities is passive investment income, not unauthorised employment, so it does not conflict with H-1B work restrictions. Active day trading as a business, however, sits in murkier territory, and running an investment business would be a different question — worth confirming with an immigration attorney if that is your plan.
- 02Should I contribute to a 401(k) if I might leave the US?
- An employer match is usually worth capturing even for a short stay, because it is an immediate return no market can guarantee. What needs planning is the exit: you can typically leave the account invested, roll it over, or withdraw it with tax and early-withdrawal consequences. Understand which option you would use before you decide how much to contribute.
- 03What happens to my brokerage account if I leave the US?
- It varies by institution. Some brokerages let non-resident clients keep accounts with restrictions on new purchases, some require transfer to an international arm, and some close accounts entirely. Because the answer is provider-specific, ask your brokerage directly before you move rather than after.