Mortgage Residency Requirements

Many non-citizen U.S. immigrants and visa holders can still qualify for a mortgage. There is a small amount of extra work involved, but certainly possible. Here is what you need to know about home loan requirements for non-citizens and residency requirments.

It’s easier for green card and visa holders to obtain a home loan because they meet the guidelines set in place by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Foreign nationals do not meet these guidelines, which means the lender will have to take on the loan themselves. This means there’s a higher risk involved. For this reason, lenders who take on borrowers that are foreign nationals will usually require a larger down payment.

Requirements for Residents & Non-Residents

Here are some examples of documents you may be asked to provide:

Your social security number
A valid green card (if a permanent resident)
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit
A special visa as proof of legal residency
Evidence of renewal if the visa or work document is set to expire in less than one year of the closing date
Proof of income
U.S. credit score or non-traditional credit report

*Please note, some lenders may require further information and documentation so be prepared. The better they can verify you and your information the quicker you get funded!