If you are looking for an EV with large incentives and ev credit (assume that is the reason you are interested in lease), you may also take a look at used ones, clean title, low milage, like EQS, IX, some have very huge discount.
Or go with another brand like MB, which may not have this issue. 
We are initially attracted to EVs like EQS and i4. Especially, in NJ, EV has no sales tax, and some are offering pass-by tax incentives. However, it turns out that charging is a big issue at where we live. So we give it up.
From experience here. My $0.02
Back in 2002 when i got my H1B and SSN i started to build my credit history by getting first Credit card. 9 years later even not having yet green card i was able to buy a house with Tier 1 rate mortgage putting just 20% down.
It is very important to build credit history even if You are a student and planning to live here for some perod of time.
Been in a similar situation until not too long ago.
I have dealt with @HN308 and he knows what he is talking about. He also helped me lease an X1 unicorn deal on an H1b visa without any issues.
The BMW salesperson at the store would have no clue about what an H1b visa is and how it works. Also, they wouldn’t care much.
The BMW credit app is programmed to reject your app if the credit history is short.
I was trying to lease a $70k+ MSRP 550xi with a $70k stipend & a 2yr old SSN and as expected the credit app rejected my application and yes it needed to be co-signed by someone back then.
After that initial stint, I have had 5 different BMW leases without any issues
Good luck
Myself and @IAC have experience with the BMW IEP which is what you’ll likely need here to get approved.
A quick update. After submitting the pay stub, employment verification, and I797 with I94, which is expiring in a year or so, BMW FS approved it in an hour with base MF. I certainly believe that BMW really does not care about the status. All they want to see is a decent pay stub.
Congrats!!!
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