Yes, foreign nationals can get a mortgage in the USA, with no Social Security Number, U.S. credit score, or U.S. residency required. It is far more accessible than most people think. I have purchased 120+ U.S. rental properties as a foreigner, and I used a foreign national loan of one kind or another for every single one.
This guide walks through everything you need: the loan types, requirements, rates, documents, and how to get pre-approved, even if you live abroad. If you would rather have help sourcing a lender, that is one of our core services.
If you are based in Canada specifically, I've written a dedicated guide covering how Canadians can get a US mortgage, including the LP vs LLC question and what the loan actually costs.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in the USA?
Yes, absolutely. There are many lenders with foreign national programs helping international buyers finance U.S. property. The terms and underwriting differ a little, but specialist lenders offer mortgages built for foreigners with no SSN, U.S. credit history, or U.S. income. If you have proof of funds for your down payment, a qualifying property, and a clean paper trail, approval is surprisingly straightforward with the right guidance.
You will not qualify for a conventional mortgage through a traditional retail bank like Wells Fargo or Bank of America, but that is not a barrier. Foreign national loans are designed around the things that trip up non-resident borrowers, looking instead at your foreign income and assets, your bank statements, or the rental income of the property you are buying.
Resident vs foreign national mortgages, key differences| Feature | U.S. resident mortgage | Foreign national mortgage |
|---|
| SSN required | Yes | No |
| U.S. credit score | Required | Not required |
| Income documents | W-2s, tax returns | Foreign bank statements, proof of funds |
| Loan type | Conventional or FHA | Foreign national / Non-QM |
| Down payment | As low as 3% to 5% | Typically 25% to 30% |
| Interest rates | Lower with strong credit | Slightly higher, risk-tiered |
Who qualifies as a foreign national?
For U.S. mortgage lending, a foreign national is someone who is not a U.S. citizen, does not pass the substantial presence test, and has no permanent resident status (no green card). That typically includes citizens of other countries living abroad, and non-residents on tourist or temporary visas. This status is not a barrier, it simply means you apply through a lender with a foreign national program. For the bigger picture, see my guide on how foreigners buy U.S. property.
The types of foreign national mortgage
There are essentially three. Conventional loans use your personal income and credit, usually from your home country. A foreign national DSCR loan uses the property's rental income rather than your personal income, which is ideal for rentals. ITIN loans suit borrowers who already have U.S. income and two years of U.S. tax returns.
Foreign national mortgage loan comparison| Loan type | Ideal for | Qualifies on | Typical lenders |
|---|
| Conventional | Vacation and second homes | Personal income, assets, and credit | HSBC, First American Bank, Quontic, LendSure |
| DSCR | Rental properties | Rental income and property value | HomeAbroad, Waltz, LendCity |
| ITIN | Primary, second, or investment homes | U.S. income, ITIN, 2 years U.S. tax returns | Griffin Funding, Angel Oak, America Mortgages |
I personally use 30-year fixed DSCR loans for all my own rentals; I have held more than $5.5 million in DSCR loans over the past ten years and find them the simplest, best-value option for a foreigner. Both conventional and DSCR loans can be fixed or adjustable.
Fixed rate vs adjustable rate (ARM) for foreign nationals| Feature | Fixed rate | Adjustable rate (ARM) |
|---|
| Interest rate | Same for the life of the loan | Starts lower, then adjusts |
| Monthly payments | Predictable and consistent | Can move after the fixed period |
| Initial rate | Higher than an ARM | Lower than fixed |
| Best for | Long-term stability | A short-term hold or refinance plan |
| Risk level | Lower | Higher |
For a deeper look at pricing, see my foreign national mortgage rates guide.
Property types you can finance
Foreign national loans are not just for luxury condos. Depending on the lender you can finance single-family homes (the most common choice), small multifamily such as duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes (my own favorite for cash flow), and some condos and townhomes where the HOA meets lender guidelines. Personally, I avoid condos.
Most lenders will not finance raw land, co-ops, or very cheap properties under about $115,000 in appraised value. If you are buying rentals like me, stick to residential property in decent neighborhoods with stable or growing rental demand, since lenders love predictable rental income.
Requirements and documents
Different loans have different requirements, but lenders always want to see that you can complete the purchase and keep up the payments. The exact documents depend on the loan type.
Conventional loans are underwritten on your foreign income, credit, and assets, so expect to provide a passport and second ID, a foreign credit report or reference, proof of income such as pay slips, tax returns or bank statements, proof of funds, and possibly translated or apostilled documents.
DSCR loans care more about the property and your ability to close. You will usually need a passport and second ID, proof of the property's income via a lease or appraiser's market-rent analysis, proof of funds, and entity documents if you buy through an LLC. Most do not ask for tax returns, credit reports, or personal income, which is what makes them ideal for foreigners.
Whichever loan you use, you will need to evidence the source of your funds: roughly a 25% to 30% down payment, 5% to 6% in closing costs, 3 to 9 months of payments in reserve, and a clear paper trail. Moving your funds into a U.S. bank account in your name or your LLC's name early really helps underwriting move faster.
How much you can borrow, and terms
How much you can borrow depends on the property value, the income used (personal for conventional, property for DSCR), and your borrower profile. A few lenders start at $75,000, though most I work with have a $100,000 minimum, and maximum loan-to-value usually runs 70% to 75% depending on loan type. DSCR lenders want the rent to cover the payment at a ratio of at least 1.0.
Typical down payments by loan type| Loan type | Minimum down | Max LTV | Notes |
|---|
| Conventional foreign national | 20% to 25% | 75% to 80% | Requires income, credit, and assets |
| DSCR loan | 25% to 30% | 70% to 75% | Qualifies on property value and rental income |
Foreign national rates vary by loan type, lender, and profile, and are usually about 0.5% higher than a U.S. citizen would pay. Here is an indicative snapshot; for detail and how pricing is set, see the rates guide, and model your own numbers with the free DSCR calculator.
Foreign national mortgage rates, indicative snapshot| Mortgage type | Rate range | Structure | Max LTV | Min loan |
|---|
| 30-year DSCR | 6.75% to 7.25% | 30-year fixed | Up to 75% | $75,000 |
| 15-year DSCR | 6.50% to 7.00% | 15-year fixed | Up to 75% | $75,000 |
| Conventional foreign national | 7.00% to 7.50% | Fixed or ARM | Up to 80% | Varies by lender |
Rates are indicative and reviewed July 2026. They move frequently, so treat them as a guide, not a quote.
How to qualify, step by step
Qualifying can feel intimidating if you are used to a different system abroad, but the path is consistent:
- Pick the loan type: conventional if you have verifiable foreign income and will use the home personally, DSCR if you are buying a rental. Choose fixed for predictability, or an ARM if you may sell or refinance soon.
- Prepare funds: 25% to 30% down, 5% to 6% closing costs, and 3 to 9 months of reserves, ideally moved into a U.S. account early.
- Gather documents based on your loan type, using my documents checklist.
- Get pre-approved: conventional pre-approves you as a borrower, DSCR pre-approves the property.
- Underwriting and closing: the lender verifies everything, the title company confirms clean title, and most foreigners then close remotely by Remote Online Notary (RON) with no travel to the U.S.
Foreign national mortgage lenders
There are dozens of lenders, and the right one can make or break a deal. Look for genuine experience with non-residents, access to DSCR or conventional programs, flexible documentation, transparent fees, and ideally bilingual loan officers. A few leading names with foreign national programs include Angel Oak, Griffin Funding, HSBC, Quontic, and America Mortgages. For the full breakdown, see my directory of foreign national mortgage lenders.
This is not a recommendation of any specific lender. My own go-to lenders that my clients and I use for DSCR loans are LendCity, HomeAbroad, and Waltz. Many lenders do not advertise their best rates online, so working with someone who already has direct lender relationships saves time and money.
Cashflow Rentals is a consultancy and does not act as a mortgage broker or lender. Lender terms and availability change often, so verify current programs directly.
Tax implications
Most foreigners focus entirely on the property and mortgage and forget tax, but getting your structure right matters just as much. Foreign investors may face federal and state income tax, property taxes, FIRPTA and capital gains, and U.S. estate taxes. The big one is FIRPTA, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which withholds a percentage of the sale price when a foreigner sells U.S. real estate.
U.S. real estate is actually very tax efficient if you structure and file correctly; I reduce my U.S. income tax to near zero most years using the right elections and deductions. Many investors start with a U.S. LLC, but that is not right for everyone and can create a mismatch between countries. For the full picture, read my U.S. tax guide for foreign investors.
Whether you are buying a vacation home or a rental, a foreign national mortgage lets you use leverage to grow wealth through U.S. real estate. When you want help getting pre-approved, you can book a call.
