May 11

Which U.S. Visa Holders Qualify for the Stimulus Check?

People across the United States have started to receive their COVID-19 stimulus checks, but which visa holders are entitled to receive this financial support?

OnlineVisas CEO, Jon Velie helps break down the requirements.

Basic Requirements

  • You MUST have a U.S. Social Security Number.
  • You MUST have filed 2019/2018 taxes, i.e., you must be a resident alien for tax purposes by IRS.
  • You MUST have been resident in the U.S. for at least six months in the last 3 years plus 31 days in 2020 ("Substantial Presence Test").

This means not all non-immigrant visa holders will be eligible for stimulus checks.

Who is not eligible?

  • Non-immigrants without a SSN would not be eligible.
  • American citizens married to a foreign-born spouse with no SSN.
  • Students on an F-1 or J visa.
  • Children of unauthorized or undocumented parents.

Find out more in the 25th episode of Jon's Coronavirus updates.


About the author: Jon Velie has practiced Immigration law since 1993. He is CEO of OnlineVisas

Jon is an Amazon number one best-selling author of H-1B Visa: Application & Approval, is regularly covered by major media and has won a number of international awards. Jon was also pivotal in the Cherokee Freedmen Supreme Court case.

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