Your immigration status decides which loan programs are open to you, how lenders read your income and credit, and what down payment to expect. These guides go status by status — for work-visa holders, permanent residents, and newcomers building a life in the U.S.
Mortgage-qualification information only — not immigration or legal advice. Consult an immigration attorney for status questions.
Specialty-occupation workers with an SSN can usually get conventional or FHA loans — the question is visa continuity, not eligibility.
Intracompany transferees with an SSN qualify like other work-visa holders — strong W-2 income, with continuity tied to the sponsoring employer.
Artists, founders and researchers on an O-1 often have an SSN but irregular or self-employed income — which decides the loan path.
Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA have an SSN and mainstream loan access — with renewal frequency the main lender question.
Lawful permanent residents are treated essentially like citizens — full access to every loan program with no visa-continuity questions.
With a valid EAD and SSN, DACA recipients can now access FHA and conventional loans — a major shift from a few years ago.
Non-resident buyers with no SSN use foreign-national loans — no U.S. credit required, foreign income accepted, larger down payments.
With a valid EAD and SSN, refugees and asylees can access FHA loans — the hurdles are thin credit and short U.S. history, both solvable.
No Social Security number? The full pillar guide on ITIN programs — who qualifies, rates, down payment, and the path to conventional financing.