ITIN Loan requirements: what you actually need to qualify
To buy a home with an ITIN/Tax ID (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ), you’ll generally need a valid ITIN, a photo ID or passport, a credit score of at least 640 (or, on some programs, none at all), 12 months of on-time housing payments, and a down payment that starts as low as ~10% with strong credit.
We explain every piece of requirement that you’ll need to qualify.
No SSN required · Primary, second home & investment · Hablamos español
What you need to qualify
Six things carry most of the weight when applying for an ITIN mortgage. If you can check these, you’re in range for an ITIN home loan.
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Credit scores
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Down payment percentage
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How the loan would work out for you
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720 or higher
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~10%
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Lowest down payment; documented full-doc income
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700
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~15%
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Strong terms
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680
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~15%
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Strong terms
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660
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~20%
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Standard range
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640 (the minimum)
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~40%
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Higher down payment offsets the lower score
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The takeaway: if you’re sitting near 640 credit, notice the jump in down payment.
Nudging your score up even one tier (to even 660) before you buy can cut your down payment dramatically — often the highest-return move you can make. It’s the first thing we look at with you.
Want better guidance? At Andes, we help borrowers qualify with Tax ID. Book a call with us ->
Three ways to document income for an ITIN loan— pick what fits you
You don’t need to qualify the “traditional” way. Choose the path that matches how you actually get paid.
Full documentation
W-2s, paystubs, and tax returns, like a standard loan. Best if you’re a wage earner with clean paperwork. Reaches the lowest down payments and rates.
Bank statements
We use 12 or 24 months of deposits instead of tax returns. Built for self-employed and business owners tax returns understate what they really make.
Profit & loss (P&L)
A profit-and-loss statement prepared by your CPA or accountant. The lightest paperwork for established business owners.
Self-employed and not sure which is strongest for you? That’s exactly the kind of thing a broker like Andes Mortgage figures out — the same income can qualify very differently depending on the path.
Stop guessing what’s best for you. Let us handle it ->
Where your down payment (and a little cushion) can come from
Gift funds are allowed
You don’t have to save every dollar yourself.
On our ITIN mortgage programs, a family gift can cover a large part of your down payment, and on some primary-home cases the down payment can be almost entirely gifted.
A few months of reserves
Lenders want to see some money left in the bank after closing — usually a few months of mortgage payments, a bit more if your down payment is smaller.
It’s a cushion, not a second down payment, and cash-out funds can sometimes count.
Business bank accounts
You can access your business account to fund your purchase. As long as you don’t have any restrictions for using your business bank account to do so.
Most of our self-employed clients use business funds to purchase their homes or use as reserves.
Eligible property types
Most everyday homes qualify. A few specialty property types don’t — worth knowing before you fall in love with a listing.
Eligible for ITIN financing
- Single-family homes and townhomes
- Condos (warrantable and non-warrantable)
- 2–4 unit properties
- Planned communities (PUDs) and modular homes
Generally doesn't
- Condotels and hotel-condo units
- Manufactured and mobile homes
- Rural or agricultural properties, or large acreage
- Unique or leasehold properties
Buying a rental? There's an ITIN path for that too
If you’re investing rather than buying a home to live in, you can qualify on the property’s rent instead of your personal income — an ITIN DSCR loan.
The requirements shift a little for investors: expect a credit score around 680+, a down payment near 35%, and qualification based on whether the rent covers the mortgage payment rather than your paystubs. Title can be held in an LLC.
DACA, asylum, and refugee borrowers
A lot of outdated information floats around here, so to be clear and current:
DACA and asylum borrowers
Many DACA and asylum borrowers qualify through these same ITIN guidelines. Treatment here can change, so we confirm current terms for your situation. This is mortgage guidance only, not immigration or legal advice.
A note for Texas
In Texas, cash-out on an ITIN loan is available for investment (business-purpose) properties, but not for a home you live in. If you’re in TX and thinking about pulling equity, we’ll map the right structure with you.
Where this list comes from
ITIN lending has no government agency guideline behind it — the rules live in wholesale lender guidelines most consumers never see. We publish the requirements of our own ITIN program in plain ranges, showing the flexible end and noting where terms tighten, so what you read here matches what you’ll actually be quoted.
- Credit: 640 minimum; a single score or no score can work; a higher score lowers your down payment.
- Down payment: from ~10% at a 720 score on a home to live in, rising toward ~40% near 640; roughly 25–30% for second homes and rentals.
- Housing history: 12 months of on-time payments; past foreclosures or short sales generally need to be about 4 years back.
- Income: full documentation, bank statements, or a P&L — whichever fits how you're paid.
Figures are typical values from current wholesale lending guidelines, published as terms of Andes Mortgage’s ITIN program — not a single lender’s terms and not a commitment to lend. Program terms vary and are subject to change without notice. Guidelines last verified: July 2026.
The questions people actually ask
What credit score do I need for an ITIN loan?
The minimum is 640, and a single score — or even no score, on some programs — can work. Your score doesn’t just decide approval, though: it sets your down payment, from about 10% at 720+ up to around 40% near the 640 floor. Raising your score before you apply is often the highest-value thing you can do.
How much down payment do I need for an ITIN/Tax ID loan?
For a home to live in, roughly 10% at a 720 score, around 15% at 680–700, about 20% near 660, and closer to 40% at 640. Second homes and rentals generally start around 25–30%. And you don’t have to save it all yourself — gift funds are allowed on most programs.
Do I need to show tax returns for a tax ID loan?
Not necessarily. You can document income three ways: full documentation (W-2s and tax returns), 12–24 months of bank statements, or a profit-and-loss statement from your accountant. Self-employed borrowers often qualify for much more using bank statements than their tax returns would suggest.
Can I buy a rental property with an ITIN/Tax ID loan?
Yes. An ITIN DSCR loan qualifies you on the property’s rent rather than your personal income — typically with a score around 680, roughly 35% down, and the option to hold title in an LLC. It’s a separate program from a home you’d live in.
What documents do I need to apply?
At minimum: your valid ITIN, a government photo ID or passport, proof of 12 months of on-time housing payments, and your chosen income documents. Some situations call for evidence of US residency or work history. We’ll give you the exact checklist for your file up front — no surprises later.
Is an ITIN/Tax ID loan a conventional loan?
No — it’s a non-QM loan, made by regulated lenders specifically for borrowers who file taxes with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. It’s completely legal and mainstream. If you do have a work-authorizing status and an SSN, you may qualify for a conventional loan instead, which can mean an even lower down payment.
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More ITIN loan resources
ITIN loans
The full program guide
Foreign National & Non-Residents
Difference explained
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Owner & mortgage broker, Andes Mortgage LLC · NMLS #988935
- Guidelines last verified: July 2026 · reviewed quarterly
Andes Mortgage provides mortgage guidance only, not immigration, legal, or tax advice. Eligibility reflects current conventional (Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac), FHA, and VA guidelines as of the date above and is subject to change without notice — this is general information, not a commitment to lend or a determination of eligibility. Andes Mortgage LLC · NMLS #2187991 · Equal Housing Lender.