Mortgages for non-permanent residents and visa holders
Here’s the good news most people don’t expect: if you live in the US on a valid work visa or work permit and you have a Social Security number, you don’t need a special “immigrant” loan.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac let you qualify for the same conventional mortgage as a US citizen — often with as little as 3% down for first-time and 5% for repeat buyers. What matters is valid status, not naturalization or a green card.
- Licensed in GA, FL, TX, SC & AL
- Investor lending in ~46 states
- Hablamos español
Yes — visa holders can get a regular conventional loan
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow non-permanent residents to qualify for conventional financing.
That means the same loan programs, the same rates, and the same low down payments as a US citizen — no non-QM program and no ITIN workaround needed, as long as you have valid status, a Social Security number, and US credit.
down on conventional loan as a first-time homebuyer
down on conventional loan as a repeat buyer
Of the three non-citizen paths — visa holder, ITIN borrower, and foreign national — this is the one that’s closest to being treated like a citizen. If that’s you, you’re in the best position of the three.
Which visas and permits qualify?
These three get lumped together constantly. They shouldn’t be — the differences decide which loans you can get, whether you can buy a home to live in, and how much you’ll need for your down payment.
|
Commonly eligible for a conventional loan
|
Usually not eligible for conventional
|
|---|---|
|
H-1B and H-1B1 (specialty occupation)
|
B-1 / B-2 (visitor / tourist)
|
|
L-1, L-1A, L-1B (intracompany transfer)
|
H-2A / H-2B (seasonal workers)
|
|
TN (Canadian / Mexican professionals)
|
F-2 / F-3 (student's dependents)
|
|
O-1 (extraordinary ability), E-1 / E-2 / E-3 (treaty)
|
K-1 (fiancé), Q (cultural exchange)
|
|
Most work permits (EADs) — including DACA, asylum, and refugee
|
M (vocational student), and other visitor categories
|
This is the short version — the full list runs to dozens of visa and permit types. If you don’t see yours, or you’re not sure which column it lands in, look it up: see the full mortgage eligibility list by visa type →
Down payment and rates: the same as a citizen
This is the real advantage of the visa-holder path over the other two. Because you qualify for regular loan programs, you get regular terms.
What you get
Conventional loans from as little as 3% down if you’re a first-time homebuyer or 5% minimum for repeat buyers — the same menu a citizen sees. Grants and down payment assistance may be on the table too.
How it compares
An ITIN buyer typically starts at 10–20% down, and a foreign national investor at around 25%. As a visa holder with an SSN and credit, you skip all of that — valid status is what unlocks the good terms.
What if my visa or work permit is expiring?
A near-term expiration doesn’t automatically stop you — but it’s the thing lenders look at most closely, so it’s worth getting ahead of.
If your status is current: you’re in good shape — no special step needed beyond the usual documents.
If it’s close to expiring: bring evidence that a renewal has already been filed in the same category. That’s usually enough to keep things moving.
If it’s expiring very soon and no renewal is filed: This may stop you altogether from getting a conventional loan and you’ll need to move over to a Non-QM option instead if that’s the case. Getting your renewal in first is the fix, and it’s exactly the kind of timing we’ll map out with you early.
Not eligible for a conventional loan? You still have options
This is where a broker like Andes Mortgage beats a big bank and retail lenders.
If your status isn’t on the conventional list, or you don’t have a Social Security number, most lenders just say “no.” We route you to the program that does work.
You file taxes with an ITIN
No SSN, but a US tax history? An ITIN mortgage lets you buy a home to live in from as little as ~10% down.
You're self-employed
On an E-2 or O-1 and running your own business? A bank statement loan qualifies you on deposits, not tax returns.
You're buying from abroad
Reside in a foreign country? A foreign national loan finances a US rental, qualifying on the rent with no US credit.
DACA, asylum, and refugee borrowers
There’s a lot of outdated information online here, so let’s be clear and current.
Under current agency guidelines, many work-permit statuses — including DACA, asylum, and refugee — are eligible for conventional financing, the same as other work-authorized borrowers. Treatment in this specific area has changed over the years and can change again, so we always confirm the current rules for your exact situation before you get too far down the road.
Andes Mortgage provides mortgage guidance only — not immigration or legal advice. For any question about your status itself, an immigration attorney is the right person to ask.
Mortgages by visa type
Want the detail for your specific visa? Start with the full eligibility list, then dig into your category.
Popular guides: H-1B mortgage · L-1 mortgage · TN visa mortgage · E-2 mortgage · O-1 mortgage (individual pages linked as they publish)
Where to go next
Mortgages for every Visa type
Under a visa or employment authorization? See if your visa is eligible on our guide.
ITIN Loans
Have a valid Tax ID or ITIN number? The ITIN loan can be a solution for you. See the guide here
Foreign national
Living abroad and buying a US rental? Qualify on the rent, from as little as 25% down — no US credit needed.
Buying a rental? Both ITIN and foreign national investors can qualify on the property’s income with a DSCR loan — and tap the equity later through a DSCR HELOC.
How we built the numbers on this page
Unlike ITIN and foreign national lending, financing for visa holders runs largely on standard conventional rules. The eligibility here reflects current Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines for non-permanent resident borrowers, plus the standard FHA and VA options where they apply. We publish the plain-English version and confirm the exact current terms for your situation.
- Conventional: non-permanent residents are eligible; down payment from as little as 3%, standard rates.
- What gates it: valid, work-authorizing status (or a filed renewal), a Social Security number, and US credit.
- Eligible statuses cover most work visas and work permits, including DACA, asylum, and refugee EADs; visitor, dependent, and seasonal categories generally are not.
- No SSN or an ineligible status? Non-QM programs (ITIN, bank statement, foreign national) provide the alternative path.
Eligibility reflects current agency guidelines and is subject to change without notice. This is general information, not a commitment to lend or a determination of your eligibility. Guidelines last verified: July 2026.
The questions people actually ask
Can I get a conventional mortgage on a work visa?
Yes. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both allow non-permanent residents to qualify for conventional loans. With a valid work visa or work permit, a Social Security number, and US credit, you’re generally eligible for the same programs — and the same low down payments — as a US citizen.
Do I need a green card to buy a house?
No. Permanent residency isn’t required. A valid work-authorizing status is what matters for conventional financing. And even if your status isn’t on the eligible list, non-QM programs like ITIN and foreign national loans give you another way in.
How much down payment does a visa holder need?
The same as a citizen: as little as 3% down on a conventional loan, or 3.5% on FHA. That’s the big advantage of qualifying on the conventional path — you’re not stuck with the larger down payments that come with ITIN or foreign national programs.
My Visa or EAD card is expiring soon, can I still qualify?
Often yes. If your status is close to expiring, lenders typically want to see that a renewal has already been filed in the same category. If it’s expiring very soon with nothing filed, some programs may not be able to count that income yet — so getting your renewal in first is the move. We’ll help you time it.
Can DACA or asylum borrowers get a mortgage?
Generally, yes. Under current agency guidelines, DACA borrowers with a valid work permit are eligible for conventional financing like other work-authorized borrowers, and ITIN programs are an additional path. Rules in this area have shifted over time, so we verify the current terms for you. We offer mortgage guidance only, not immigration advice.
What if my visa type isn't on the list?
You’re not out of options — that’s the whole point of working with a broker. Depending on your situation, an ITIN loan, a bank statement loan, or a foreign national loan can finance you when a conventional loan can’t. Start with the eligibility list or the quiz and we’ll point you to the right one.
Find out which loan fits your status in a few minutes
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the right path and the loans that fit — no credit pull, no obligation. Hablamos español.
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. Figures shown are typical ranges from current wholesale lending guidelines as of the date above — not a single lender’s terms and not a commitment to lend. Program terms and eligibility vary by lender and are subject to change without notice. Andes Mortgage LLC · NMLS #2187991 · Equal Housing Lender.