Getting a mortgage as a TN visa holder
TN visas let Canadian and Mexican professionals work in the U.S. under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) agreement. With an SSN and W-2 employment, TN holders generally access the same conventional loans as other qualified borrowers. (FHA closed to non-permanent residents in May 2025.)
The wrinkle specific to TN status is renewal cadence: TN visas are issued for up to three years and renewed repeatedly, with no formal cap — but because they're non-immigrant, some lenders look harder at continuity than they would for a green-card holder.
Credit history
TN holders with an SSN build standard U.S. credit. Canadians sometimes arrive with strong home-country credit that doesn't transfer; lenders may use non-traditional credit (rent, utilities) to bridge a thin U.S. file. A year of domestic history typically unlocks the full menu of programs.
Income documentation
TN status requires a pre-arranged U.S. job in a qualifying profession, so most TN holders are W-2 employees — straightforward to document with pay stubs and W-2s. Self-employment is generally not permitted on a TN, so the self-employed paths rarely apply. Income earned in Canada or Mexico before the TN job usually counts only if it continues.
If you’re self-employed on top of your status, the self-employed mortgage guide and bank statement loans cover how your business income qualifies.
Down payment
Standard. With an SSN and valid status, TN holders qualify for conventional low-down-payment options — 3–5% down. No special TN down-payment requirement applies on conventional products. (FHA is no longer open to non-permanent residents.)
Loan programs open to you
- Conventional — available with SSN and valid TN status
- FHA — no longer available to non-permanent residents (May 2025 HUD policy change)
- Jumbo — available, with possible lender overlays on visa continuity
- VA / USDA — only if separately eligible
Best-fit path
Conventional loan — TN holders are typically W-2 professionals with an SSN — a textbook conventional profile. Start here for the best rate and lowest down payment.
Also worth comparing:
- Non-QM / portfolio programs — A practical fallback while your U.S. credit file matures or if a lender overlay blocks you — portfolio guidelines vary and several lenders serve cross-border professionals.
Compare every option side by side on the loan types page, or take the 5-question loan quiz.
Key consideration: frequent renewals, non-immigrant intent
Document checklist
FAQ
Yes for conventional. With an SSN and valid TN status you can access conventional loans on standard terms, and most TN holders are W-2 professionals — the easiest income profile to document. FHA is no longer available to non-permanent residents (May 2025 policy change). The main lender focus is continuity given the renewal cadence.
It can prompt extra documentation. Some lenders want an employment letter or evidence renewal is routine; others just need unexpired status. If one lender treats frequent renewals as a problem, another may not. The immigration side is best discussed with an attorney.
TN status generally doesn't permit self-employment, so the self-employed mortgage paths rarely apply to TN holders. If your situation is unusual, confirm your work authorization with an immigration attorney before pursuing a self-employed loan.
Educational information only — not financial, immigration, or legal advice, and not a quote, pre-approval, or offer of credit. Program availability and ranges are illustrative and vary by lender. Mortgage Merlin is a publisher, not a lender or broker.