How can a Non-US Citizen Successfully Rent an Apartment?

Illustration of three movers moving a sofa and boxes into new apartment

Finding a home is one of the first steps to building a new life in the U.S. As a non-citizen, securing an apartment can seem nearly impossible. But really, the key to renting an apartment is the same for everyone, citizen or not, and that is to be organized, to know what documents you need, and have them available for potential landlords. 

We’ll explain how a foreigner can rent an apartment in the U.S., what a supplemental rental application for non-U.S. citizens is if a landlord can ask for proof of citizenship, and if you need a Social Security card to rent an apartment, and precisely what a non-U.S. citizen needs to successfully rent an apartment. 

Can a non-U.S. citizen rent an apartment?

You do not have to be a citizen to rent an apartment; non-U.S. citizens, including illegal immigrants, can rent an apartment. A landlord cannot legally deny a rental application based on country of origin, religious status, handicap, familial status, race, gender, or age. 

However, a landlord can ask about your residency status but must ask all applicants the same question. A landlord can ask non-citizens to fill out a supplemental rental application. The form is used to:

  • Give you the option to provide emergency contact information for a person in your home country.

  • Verify if you’re legally in the U.S.

  • Determine if your right to be in the U.S. legally ends before the term of your lease.

  • Enable the landlord to cooperate with government officials in the performance of their duties when requested. 

In many cases, this form will most often be required by large management companies and less frequently by smaller landlords. If you’re subletting an apartment, renting a room, or renting a home long-term from a service like Airbnb, you likely won’t be asked for this form either. 

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Renting an apartment without a Social Security card

You don’t need a Social Security card to rent an apartment, open a bank account, or get a credit card. A landlord will want proof of identity, though. You can rent an apartment with a passport, driver’s license, state ID, student ID, or other official forms of ID with a photo. 

Other documents required for non-U.S. citizens to rent an apartment

Once your identity is confirmed, you’ll need to provide a variety of primarily financial records. These documents will be most important to landlords, proof that you can afford to pay the rent. Some of the documents likely to be requested include:

  • Proof of employment like pay stubs or an offer letter if you’ve not started the job yet.

  • A few months of bank statements.

  • Tax returns from the past year or two.

  • References from previous landlords.

  • Proof of immigration status. This is another way a landlord can determine if you’ll lose any legal status you have before the end of the lease. 

Another thing to consider is securing a co-signer before starting your apartment search. A co-signer is a person who is responsible for paying the rent should you default. Ideally, your co-signer would be someone who has a credit history in the U.S. and a healthy credit score. And renting an apartment is an excellent way to start a credit history of your own! There are services that will report your rental payments to the credit bureaus that compile credit history and provide credit scores. 

At Upwardli, we can direct you to the resources you need to start building your credit and the other parts of your American financial life. We partner with financial services providers who understand the unique needs of those new to the U.S. 

Candice Elliott

Candice Elliott has been a freelance writer specializing in personal finance since 2013. She learned to manage her money the hard way after moving to New York City and living paycheck to paycheck for years. She wants to help others avoid the money mistakes she made while providing easy and actionable advice in an entertaining way. Candice believes that personal finance information should be inclusive of everyone because a solid financial base is the foundation for a successful life. Candice now lives in New Orleans where she admits she spends more than she should on restaurants because the food is as good as you’ve heard.

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