International life insurance for expatriates and global citizens
People who live and work internationally have unique life insurance needs, and a narrower set of options compared to permanent US residents. Here’s what you should know.
Last updated December 3, 2025
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As globalization and technology spread to every corner of the world, a new class of international workers and businesspeople has arisen. Some are executives of multinational corporations; some may be family members with interconnected businesses spanning different countries; others are still digital nomads, with the freedom to pursue lucrative careers from anywhere on the globe with an internet connection. This international mobility can enable a lifestyle that is both rewarding and fulfilling.
But if you're one of these expatriates and global citizens, you also know there can be challenges and limitations. For example, consider life insurance, one of the most basic forms of financial protection. While US citizens and permanent residents have access to a wide array of policy types from scores of providers, options for expats and foreign nationals are far more limited. In many cases, a life insurance policy purchased in the United States may not even pay out if the policyholder moves abroad. Fortunately, international life insurance plans are available, allowing you to choose the right policy for your needs.
Two ways an international life insurance policy can help protect family finances and assets
Generally speaking, international life insurance policies work the same as other life insurance. The policyholder pays regular premiums to the life insurance company, and the insurer pays a death benefit to the named beneficiaries if the policyholder passes away. In the US, life insurance policies generally make a income tax-free lump sum payment, which can help provide confidence. Depending on the type of policy and what it's used for, you may be able to pay premiums and receive policy benefits in a currency equivalent, such as Euros or Pounds Sterling. And importantly, these policies pay benefits even if the policyholder is living or working abroad when they pass away. However, there still may be limitations and exclusions — such as for a death that occurs in a war zone — so you need to pay careful attention to the terms of the policy.
Before getting an international policy, you should also be clear about what kind of financial protection you want for your family because that will determine which type of life insurance to get. In general, an international policy can be used for two kinds of purposes:
Income replacement in the event of death: A policy can help protect a family's financial future by paying a death benefit large enough to replace several years – or even decades – worth of income and support that you would have otherwise been able to provide.
Wealth and asset preservation: Certain kinds of international policies are designed to help non-resident foreign nationals with US assets optimize estate planning and help preserve family assets and wealth as they are passed on to the next generation.1
Getting life insurance for income replacement while living abroad
If you’re looking for income replacement while working and living abroad, a term life insurance policy is typically the most cost-effective way to get coverage. These policies protect you for a limited period of time, or term, typically ranging from 1 to 30 years. This can be advantageous if you want to provide a substantial death benefit while children are still at home, but note that these policies become more expensive when you want to renew and they don't build cash value. However, if you are in the process of moving or already living abroad, global term life insurance may also be easier to get than a permanent life insurance policy. A few things to consider:
If you already have life insurance before moving: Check your policy to see what, if any, travel restrictions there are. If coverage isn't an issue in the country you are moving to, that's great. But you still have to make sure to arrange for timely premium payment in US currency — you don't want your coverage canceled because an international money transfer is lost, or fluctuating exchange rates don't cover the full dollar amount of the payment.
If you don’t already have life insurance, try to get coverage before moving abroad: You will have fewer coverage options because many insurers won't take on the risk of insuring someone who plans to live overseas. The companies that write such policies take that higher perceived risk into account by charging somewhat higher rates — but if you are relatively young and healthy, you will likely be able to find affordable options if you are willing to shop around. Also, the application process will likely be easier if it is completed before moving, because many companies will insist that the life insurance medical exam and policy signing take place in the United States. Some international life insurance policies may also offer worldwide coverage without requiring a medical examination. While this make the application process more convenient for expats, coverage amounts tend to be limited, and the pricing is typically higher than a “medically underwritten” policy which requires a health exam.
Getting coverage after moving abroad: People in this situation have the fewest choices. However, many specialty insurers in the US and other countries still offer global life insurance options. The application process may be somewhat more complex (for example, medical history and other records may require certified translation), but if you are in reasonably good health and willing to shop around, you are likely to find coverage.
Getting life insurance to help foreign nationals preserve US-based wealth
Permanent life insurance, particularly whole life insurance, is more suitable for wealth building and asset preservation. These policies build cash value at a steady rate over time, making them a stable, predictable asset in times of financial turbulence.2 And because they are designed to last a lifetime, they can be used for estate planning as a vehicle to transfer wealth to children and family members. Doing so can help overcome some significant taxation challenges faced by non-resident foreign nationals with US-based assets:
The estate tax disparity: While US residents enjoy a federal estate tax exemption of $13,990,000 (for 2025), the exemption for non-residents is limited to just $60,000. Non-resident life insurance can help bridge this disparity because death benefit payments are generally exempt from federal estate taxes. This feature makes life insurance an attractive investment and wealth-transfer vehicle for many foreign nationals with US-based assets.
Covering potential estate taxes: The US government imposes estate taxes on worldwide assets for US citizens, and on US-situated assets for non-residents. US-denominated life insurance can provide the liquidity needed to cover potential estate taxes without having to sell all or a portion of these holdings, preserving the estate's value for heirs.
In addition to comprehensive life insurance protection, whole life insurance can also aid portfolio diversification. These policies build cash value at a guaranteed rate and are among the lower-risk financial products. A policy can build US-denominated cash value that can be accessed while the policyholder is still alive, acting as an effective hedge against economic downturns in one's home country, fluctuating exchange rates, and other forms of geopolitical risk.3 And because life insurance policies are generally protected from creditors and bankruptcy, they may provide an additional layer of protection for foreign nationals' assets.4
The Global Citizens Program
Guardian provides specialized life insurance solutions and services designed to meet the unique demands of high-net-worth international clients. Our Global Citizens Program allows qualifying clients to tap into a dedicated team that specializes in the more complex financial protection needs of clients with multinational interests – and provides white-glove service with the backing of one of the world's largest mutual life insurance companies. Clients must be non-resident, non-US citizens who demonstrate financial connections, holdings and/or family ties in the US. A dedicated case concierge team is assigned to help each applicant, and submissions are evaluated by specialized underwriters. Other key benefits include a complimentary US trust review, translation services, law firm referrals, and more. To learn more, contact a Guardian financial professional.
Get help finding the right life insurance solution for your situation
If you’re a foreign national with temporary US residency, a Guardian Financial Professional can help you explore the range of coverage options available to you. Or, if you’re a non-resident with ties to the US, ask about the Global Citizens Program.
This article is for informational purposes only. Guardian may not offer all products discussed. Please consult with a financial professional to understand what life insurance products are available for sale.
1 Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. The information provided is based on our general understanding of the subject matter discussed and is for informational purposes only.
2 Some whole life polices do not have cash values in the first two years of the policy and don’t pay a dividend until the policy’s third year. Talk to your financial representative and refer to your individual whole life policy illustration for more information.
3 Policy benefits are reduced by any outstanding loan or loan interest and/or withdrawals. Dividends, if any, are affected by policy loans and loan interest. Withdrawals above the cost basis may result in taxable ordinary income. If the policy lapses, or is surrendered, any outstanding loans considered gain in the policy may be subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy is a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC), loans are treated like withdrawals, but as gain first, subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy owner is under 59 ½, any taxable withdrawal may also be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.
4 State creditor protection for life insurance policies varies by state. Contact your state’s insurance department or consult your legal advisor regarding your individual situation.