Non-citizens living and working in the U.S. can buy a primary residence with no U.S. credit score on certain portfolio programs. Eligible borrowers commonly include work visa holders, student visa and J-visa holders, treaty visa holders, DACA recipients, EAD and OPT work permit holders, and immigrants with limited credit history.
Pre-qualify before the visa or SSN arrives
Some programs will pre-qualify a borrower using only an offer letter from a current or prospective employer — before the visa, work authorization, green card, Social Security Number, or first pay stub is issued. A TBD address is acceptable for pre-approval. This matters for relocating Cal Poly faculty, healthcare and tech professionals, and agriculture-sector employees who want to know what they can afford before they move.
Typical terms
- Up to 80% LTV on loans up to $2 million; loans as large as $5 million at reduced LTV
- No U.S. or foreign credit score required
- No foreign verification of rent or mortgage
- All collateral types allowed, including condos and condotels
What's needed to fund
Pre-qualification is flexible, but funding is not. You'll need the visa or work authorization, a Social Security Number, and your first pay stub before the loan funds. We build the timeline around those dates so your contract and your paperwork line up.
How this differs from a foreign national loan
A foreign national loan is for buyers who live abroad and want a second home or investment property. A work visa program is for people living and working in the U.S. who want a primary residence.
See the full work visa mortgage page.
Programs, rates, and terms are subject to change. This is not a commitment to lend.