FHA Loans for Non-U.S. Citizens
Am I eligible for an FHA loan as a non-citizen?
Non-U.S. citizens can receive FHA loans as long as they are permanent legal residents and have lawful residency in the U.S. Non-U.S. citizens who are approved for an FHA loan will be given the same loan conditions as regular U.S. citizens. Non-citizens will need to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States as well as a valid social security number.
If you are a Green Card (Form I-551) holder or a non-permanent resident with a valid work visa (Forms E1, E2, H1B, H2A, H2B, H3, L1 and G1-G4) you should be able to obtain a government-backed loan.A non-citizen must meet the same loan requirements as U.S. citizens, including primary residency requirements and minimum credit scores.
What if I’m an asylee or refugee in the U.S.?
If you are in the United States under a protected status (i.e.: asylum seeker or refugee) by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will not have to produce working papers because your protected status automatically makes you eligible to work in the U.S. You will, however, have to produce the documentation proving that you are an asylee/refugee.Alternative options?
Some lenders will extend a line of credit to non-U.S. citizens. It varies by lender, so be sure to shop around.Do non-citizen veterans qualify for VA loans?
Generally speaking, for a non-U.S. citizen to serve in the military, they must be a green card holder (i.e.: legally living in the U.S.). Non-citizen veterans thinking about applying for a VA loan should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (844) 698-2311 for information on their eligibility status.Also, keep in mind that VA loans are granted for primary residences only and that you will have to produce documentation as proof of service.
Annual Changes
FHA loan limits get updated annually, so be sure to check for changes each year. Borrower requirements tend to stay the same and if they do change, it is on an as-needed basis. Remember, not all lenders are the same and while some may review their policies every year, others will not.How Can Non-Permanent Residents Apply For A FHA Loan
For a non-permanent resident to apply for an FHA loan, they must provide this specific information in their application:- The property will be the borrower's principal residence
- The borrower has a valid social security number, and
- The borrower is eligible to work in the United States, as evidenced by an Employment authorization document issued by the federal government.
FHA Guidelines for Non-Permanent Resident Aliens
Non-permanent resident aliens are eligible for an FHA loan, despite not having United States citizenship. The lender will determine the residency status of the borrower based on (1) information provided on the loan application and (2) other applicable documentation.For those who are permanent resident aliens, the FHA will issue mortgages for borrowers under the same terms and conditions for those of United States citizenship. Non-U.S. citizens, on the other hand, who do not have lawful residency in the United States, are not eligible for FHA-insured mortgages.
Caveats
You will not be able to obtain an FHA or VA loan if you are in the U.S. for a limited amount of time. Additionally, if you are in the U.S. under diplomatic immunity, you will not be granted a loan because you do not fall under the purview of U.S. laws.Spanish Translation
This article is also available in Spanish. Professionally translated by Daisy Hernandez.Préstamos FHA Para Personas Que No Son Ciudadanos de los EE. UU.