Can immigrants and H-1B visa holders qualify for U.S. Social Security?

Yes, if they earn enough credits. You generally need 40 credits — about 10 years of covered U.S. work — to draw retirement benefits, earning up to 4 credits per year ($1,810 of wages per credit in 2025). H-1B, L-1, and green-card holders pay Social Security taxes on their wages and accumulate credits just like citizens. If you do not reach 40 credits in the U.S., a totalization agreement between the U.S. and your home country (such as India in negotiation, or existing agreements with many European nations, Canada, Japan, and others) may let you combine work periods across countries to qualify. F-1 students on certain visa statuses are often exempt from Social Security tax and do not earn credits during that time. For an immigrant-focused overview, see wealthserene.com/assessments/immigrant-readiness.