Can immigrants without U.S. credit history qualify for a mortgage?

In many cases, yes, though the process may require additional documentation to demonstrate financial stability, such as alternative credit history or income verification. Requirements vary by lender, so exploring options with a few different institutions helps in understanding what’s realistic for a specific situation.

What’s the difference between a mortgage’s interest rate and its APR?

The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing, expressed as a percentage. The APR includes the interest rate plus additional charges like points and broker fees, giving a more complete picture of the loan’s total cost. Comparing APRs across lenders is generally the more useful comparison.

What happens if I can’t make my mortgage payments?

Contacting a loan servicer promptly is worth doing, since options exist to help before foreclosure becomes unavoidable, and free assistance is available through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Reaching out early preserves more of the available options.

Do I need a Social Security number or is an ITIN enough to get a mortgage?

For a standard Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac conforming loan, a Social Security number is generally required, and an ITIN alone typically won’t qualify. Someone with only an ITIN can look into dedicated ITIN mortgage programs instead, though these tend to have fewer participating lenders, larger down payment requirements, and sometimes higher rates than a standard conforming loan.

Does my visa type affect whether I can get a mortgage?

It can, though many common work visas qualify for a standard mortgage. Fannie Mae generally allows non-permanent residents on visas like H-1B, L-1, or an E-series visa to apply on largely the same terms as a citizen, provided legal status can be documented and other underwriting requirements are met. Some individual lenders add their own stricter conditions beyond what Fannie Mae itself requires, such as wanting a specific amount of time remaining on the visa, which is another reason comparing lenders directly matters.

Back to Glossary

Mortgage: the loan, and the plan before it

Key takeaways
- A mortgage is a loan used to purchase property, with the property itself serving as collateral, or a secured loan.
- If payments stop, the lender can take possession of the property through foreclosure.
- A mortgage’s APR includes the interest rate plus other charges, making it higher than the rate alone.
- Preparing financially, including saving for a down payment, typically takes longer than the mortgage application process itself.
- Many immigrants, including visa holders without permanent residency, can qualify for a standard mortgage, though documentation requirements differ from a citizen’s.

A mortgage is a loan secured by the property you’re buying. Here’s how it works, and what it actually takes to prepare before you apply.

What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan used to purchase real estate, where the property itself serves as collateral for the loan. This makes it a secured loan⁠(opens in new window), meaning if payments stop, the lender has the legal right to take possession of the property through a process called foreclosure⁠(opens in new window). A mortgage typically has a much longer repayment term than other common loans, often 15 to 30 years, which is part of why even a small difference in rate compounds into a large difference in total cost over the life of the loan.

Why mortgages matter for immigrant homebuyers

A mortgage’s headline interest rate isn’t the full cost picture, and eligibility for immigrants is more accessible, and more specific, than many assume:

The APR is generally higher than the interest rate alone. The APR reflects the interest rate⁠(opens in new window) plus points, broker fees, and other charges paid to get the loan.
Both lawful permanent residents and many visa holders can qualify. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back most conventional mortgages, generally allow non-permanent residents on a qualifying work visa, such as H-1B, L-1, or an E-series visa, to apply on largely the same terms as a citizen, provided they have a valid Social Security number and can document their status.
An ITIN alone generally isn’t enough for a standard mortgage. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loans typically require an SSN, so someone with only an ITIN usually needs a separate, more specialized ITIN mortgage product instead, which tends to come with fewer lender options, a larger required down payment, or a higher rate.

What mortgages mean for immigrants and newcomers

Saving for a house, and later navigating the full first-time homebuying process, often takes years of preparation⁠(opens in new window) for immigrant families, particularly when building credit history and savings simultaneously in a new financial system. Buying a first home as an immigrant⁠(opens in new window) typically means gathering more documentation than a citizen would need: a valid visa, an Employment Authorization Document, or an I-94 arrival record, alongside proof of income and a credit history, whether that’s a standard U.S. credit file or documented alternative history.

Requirements vary meaningfully by lender even within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s general guidelines, since individual lenders sometimes add their own stricter conditions on top, such as wanting a visa with a longer remaining validity period or a longer U.S. work history. These extra conditions are often the lender’s own policy rather than a hard rule from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac themselves, which is part of why shopping around matters: one lender’s overlay requirements can be considerably stricter than another’s, even when both are working within the same underlying guidelines. Comparing a few lenders who specifically have experience with immigration documentation, rather than assuming the first lender’s requirements are universal, is worth doing before ruling out a standard mortgage.

First steps if you’re preparing for a mortgage

Building a credit history well before planning to apply is worth prioritizing, since a stronger history generally supports more favorable terms.
Saving consistently for a down payment matters, since a larger down payment can affect both approval odds and loan terms.
Confirming whether an SSN or ITIN applies to a specific situation, and what that means for loan options, is worth doing early, since it can significantly narrow or widen the realistic set of lenders.
Comparing the APR, not just the interest rate, across a few lenders once ready to apply shows the true cost of each offer.

Common questions about mortgages

Can immigrants without U.S. credit history qualify for a mortgage?

In many cases, yes, though the process may require additional documentation to demonstrate financial stability, such as alternative credit history or income verification. Requirements vary by lender, so exploring options with a few different institutions helps in understanding what’s realistic for a specific situation.
What’s the difference between a mortgage’s interest rate and its APR?

The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing, expressed as a percentage. The APR⁠(opens in new window) includes the interest rate plus additional charges like points and broker fees, giving a more complete picture of the loan’s total cost. Comparing APRs across lenders is generally the more useful comparison.
What happens if I can’t make my mortgage payments?

Contacting a loan servicer promptly is worth doing, since options exist to help before foreclosure⁠(opens in new window) becomes unavoidable, and free assistance is available through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Reaching out early preserves more of the available options.
Do I need a Social Security number or is an ITIN enough to get a mortgage?

For a standard Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac conforming loan, a Social Security number is generally required, and an ITIN⁠(opens in new window) alone typically won’t qualify. Someone with only an ITIN can look into dedicated ITIN mortgage programs instead, though these tend to have fewer participating lenders, larger down payment requirements, and sometimes higher rates than a standard conforming loan.
Does my visa type affect whether I can get a mortgage?

It can, though many common work visas qualify for a standard mortgage. Fannie Mae generally allows non-permanent residents on visas like H-1B, L-1, or an E-series visa to apply on largely the same terms as a citizen, provided legal status can be documented and other underwriting requirements are met. Some individual lenders add their own stricter conditions beyond what Fannie Mae itself requires, such as wanting a specific amount of time remaining on the visa, which is another reason comparing lenders directly matters.

In Summary

A mortgage is a significant, long-term commitment, and understanding its full cost, and preparing credit and savings well in advance, matters more than the application process itself. For immigrants, this preparation often takes longer given the need to build both credit history and savings in a new financial system, but qualifying remains genuinely achievable with the right documentation and planning. Understand your options and start preparing your credit and savings well before you plan to apply.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.