What credit score do DACA recipients need for a mortgage?

For conventional loans: minimum 620 credit score (same as U.S. citizens). For non-QM loans: typically 640+ depending on the lender. Some non-QM programs accept scores as low as 580 with higher down payments. The credit requirements are identical to those for U.S. citizens — DACA status does not add a credit score premium.

What documents do DACA recipients need for a mortgage?

DACA recipients need: (1) Current unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with Category C33, (2) Valid Social Security Number, (3) If EAD expires within 6-12 months: evidence of prior renewal or pending renewal application with USCIS, (4) 2-year U.S. employment history, (5) Standard income and asset documentation (W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements), (6) Photo ID. Some lenders may also require 2-year U.S. residency history.

Which lenders offer mortgages to DACA recipients?

Not all lenders participate, but several do: Mega Capital offers Fannie Mae DU conforming loans for DACA borrowers with EAD C33. New Wave Lending offers Prime Jumbo for DACA. Greenbox offers ITIN/Alt-Doc loans for DACA recipients (max 85% LTV). Abo Capital specializes in DACA, ITIN, and foreign national loans. Work with a mortgage broker who knows which lenders participate — applying to the wrong lender wastes time and can result in denial.

2026 DACA DREAMERS HOME FINANCING GUIDE

DACA Mortgage Loans 2026: Can Dreamers Buy a Home? Conventional & Non-QM Guide

Q: Can DACA recipients buy a home in 2026?

Yes. DACA recipients can buy a home using conventional mortgages (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) with as little as 3% down and a 620+ credit score, or through non-QM lenders offering up to 85% LTV. FHA loans are no longer available to DACA recipients as of May 25, 2025 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 25-048). VA and USDA loans are also not available to DACA recipients. The key is finding a lender who participates in DACA conventional lending — not all do.

Q: Can DACA recipients get FHA loans?

No. As of May 25, 2025, FHA no longer insures mortgages for DACA recipients per HUD Mortgagee Letter 25-048. Previously, FHA allowed DACA borrowers under Mortgagee Letter 2021-12, but this policy was reversed. DACA recipients should pursue conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) or non-QM financing instead.

Q: Do DACA recipients pay higher mortgage rates?

No. DACA recipients who qualify for conventional mortgages receive the same rates as U.S. citizens. There are no additional fees or rate premiums due to DACA status. The loan costs the same as any conventional mortgage — the rate depends on your credit score, down payment, and loan term, not your immigration status.

Yes, DACA recipients can buy a home in 2026. Conventional loans with 3% down and 620+ credit, or non-QM up to 85% LTV. FHA no longer available since May 2025. Compare eligible lenders and get pre-approved.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Mortgage Advisor & VA Loan Specialist

September 1, 202612 min readExpert

VA LoansFHA LoansFirst-Time Buyer Programs

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📋 Quick Answer: Can DACA Recipients Buy a Home?

Yes. DACA recipients can buy a home using conventional mortgages (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) with as little as 3% down and a 620+ credit score. Rates are the same as U.S. citizens — no premium for DACA status. FHA loans are no longer available to DACA recipients as of May 25, 2025 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 25-048). Non-QM lenders offer alternatives up to 85% LTV for borrowers who don't meet conventional requirements. You need a valid EAD (Category C33), SSN, and 2-year U.S. employment history. Not all lenders participate — find lenders who work with DACA borrowers here.

DACA Mortgage Options: What's Available in 2026

The landscape changed significantly in May 2025 when FHA reversed its DACA policy. Here's what's available now:

Loan Type	DACA Eligible?	Min. Down	Min. Credit	Key Notes
Conventional (Fannie/Freddie)	YES	3%	620	Same rates as citizens; not all lenders participate
Non-QM (Alt-Doc)	YES	15-25%	640	Bank statement, DSCR, full alt-doc; up to 85% LTV
Jumbo (Non-QM)	YES (some lenders)	20%	680	New Wave Lending, Abo Capital; EAD C33 accepted
FHA	NO	—	—	Removed May 25, 2025 (HUD ML 25-048)
VA	NO	—	—	Requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
USDA	NO	—	—	Requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

⚠️ FHA Policy Change (May 2025)

FHA previously allowed DACA borrowers under Mortgagee Letter 2021-12. This was reversed effective May 25, 2025 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 25-048). If you were previously FHA-approved as a DACA recipient, your existing FHA loan is unaffected — but new FHA originations for DACA borrowers are no longer permitted.

DACA Mortgage Requirements: Complete Checklist

The qualifying requirements for DACA recipients are the same as for U.S. citizens — plus additional immigration documentation:

Immigration Documentation

✅ Current unexpired EAD with Category C33
✅ Valid SSN (required universally)
✅ If EAD expires within 6-12 months: evidence of prior renewal OR USCIS confirmation of pending renewal
✅ Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)

Financial Requirements (Same as Citizens)

✅ Credit score: 620+ (conventional), 640+ (non-QM)
✅ 2-year U.S. employment history
✅ 2-year U.S. residency history (some lenders)
✅ Debt-to-income ratio below 45-50%
✅ Income documentation: W-2s, pay stubs, tax returns
✅ Asset documentation: bank statements for down payment
✅ Down payment: 3% minimum (conventional)

💡 EAD Expiration Timing

If your EAD expires within 6 months of closing, most lenders require evidence of a pending renewal application filed with USCIS. If it expires within 12 months, some lenders want documentation of one prior EAD renewal. Start your EAD renewal at least 6 months before expiration to avoid mortgage delays. DACA renewals currently take 3-6 months to process.

Lenders That Work with DACA Recipients (2026)

Not all lenders participate in DACA conventional lending. Many big banks and national lenders decline DACA applications even when the borrower meets all financial requirements. Here are lenders known to work with DACA borrowers:

Lender	Program	DACA Eligible?	Key Details
Mega Capital	DU Conforming (Fannie Mae)	YES	EAD C33 with documentation; follows FNMA guidelines
New Wave Lending	Prime Jumbo	YES	EAD C33 listed as eligible; 2-yr work history required
Greenbox	ITIN / Full Alt-Doc	YES	DACA/Asylum eligible; max 85% LTV; min 640 FICO
Greenbox	Elite DSCR	YES	Max 75% LTV for DACA on investment properties
Abo Capital	DACA / Non-Perm Resident	YES	Up to 85% LTV; full-doc, bank statement, DSCR paths
JMAC Lending	Newport DSCR	YES	EAD C33 accepted for DSCR investment loans
Mortgage Miracles Happen	Conventional	YES	FL, IL, IN, TN; same terms as citizens; 3% down

❌ Lenders That Decline DACA

• Forward Lending (Freddie Mac): "DACA borrowers are ineligible"
• AmWest (Freddie Mac Super Conforming): "DACA status borrowers not eligible"
• Nations Direct Mortgage (Non-QM): EAD C33 listed under ineligible borrowers
• AD Mortgage (AUS Jumbo): Non-permanent resident aliens including DACA ineligible
• Mega Capital (Platinum Jumbo): DACA explicitly ineligible on jumbo products

Pro tip: Work with a mortgage broker who knows which lenders participate. Applying to the wrong lender wastes 2-4 weeks and can result in a denial that doesn't reflect your qualifications. Get matched with DACA-friendly lenders here.

Step-by-Step: How to Buy a Home as a DACA Recipient

Check Your EAD and SSN

Ensure your EAD (Category C33) is current and won't expire within 6 months of your expected closing date. If it will, file your renewal with USCIS immediately. Confirm your SSN is valid and active.

Check Your Credit Score

Pull your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. You need 620+ for conventional, 640+ for non-QM. Dispute any errors and pay down balances to improve your score before applying.

Gather Documentation

Collect 2 years of W-2s, tax returns, pay stubs (last 30 days), bank statements (last 60 days), EAD card, SSN card, and photo ID. If self-employed, prepare 2 years of business tax returns and P&L statements.

Find a DACA-Friendly Lender

Not all lenders participate. Work with a mortgage broker who knows which lenders accept DACA, or contact lenders from the table above directly. Get matched with DACA-friendly lenders here.

Get Pre-Approved

Submit your documentation for pre-approval. The lender will verify your EAD, SSN, income, and credit. Once pre-approved, you'll know your price range and can make competitive offers.

Shop, Offer, and Close

Work with a real estate agent, find your home, make an offer, and close. The process from offer to closing is the same as any conventional mortgage — typically 30-45 days.

Down Payment and Closing Costs for DACA Buyers

DACA recipients face the same down payment and closing cost requirements as U.S. citizens:

Expense	Conventional (3% Down)	Non-QM (20% Down)
Down Payment (on $400K home)	$12,000	$80,000
Closing Costs (2-5%)	$8,000-$20,000	$8,000-$20,000
PMI (if <20% down)	$100-$400/mo	None
Total Cash to Close	$20,000-$32,000	$88,000-$100,000

Down payment assistance programs are available to DACA recipients in many states. These programs offer grants or forgivable loans of $3,000-$15,000 to help with down payment and closing costs. Check with your state housing finance agency or explore down payment assistance programs here.

Gift funds from family members are allowed for conventional loans — up to 100% of the down payment can come from a gift from an immediate family member. This can help DACA recipients who have strong income but limited savings.

Ready to Buy Your Home?

Get matched with DACA-friendly lenders who understand your situation. Same rates as U.S. citizens. 3% down with conventional financing. Check your eligibility in 5 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can DACA recipients buy a home in 2026?

Yes. DACA recipients can buy using conventional mortgages (3% down, 620+ credit) or non-QM loans (up to 85% LTV). FHA is no longer available since May 2025. The key is finding a participating lender — not all do.

Compare DACA-friendly lenders →

Can DACA recipients get FHA loans?

No. FHA reversed its DACA policy effective May 25, 2025 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 25-048). Existing FHA loans held by DACA recipients are unaffected, but new originations are prohibited. DACA borrowers should pursue conventional or non-QM financing.

Get pre-approved with an ITIN →

What credit score do DACA recipients need?

620+ for conventional loans, 640+ for most non-QM programs. The requirements are identical to U.S. citizens — DACA status does not add a credit score premium. Check your eligibility here.

What documents do DACA recipients need?

Current unexpired EAD (Category C33), valid SSN, 2-year employment history, standard income/asset documentation (W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements), and photo ID. If EAD expires within 6-12 months, provide evidence of renewal filing.

Check FHA lender requirements →

Do DACA recipients pay higher mortgage rates?

No. DACA recipients who qualify for conventional mortgages receive the same rates as U.S. citizens. There are no additional fees or rate premiums. The rate depends on your credit score, down payment, and loan term — not your immigration status.

Explore down payment assistance programs →

Which lenders work with DACA recipients?

Mega Capital (Fannie Mae DU conforming), New Wave Lending (Prime Jumbo), Greenbox (ITIN/Alt-Doc, DSCR), Abo Capital (DACA specialist), JMAC Lending (DSCR), and Mortgage Miracles Happen (conventional, select states). Work with a broker who knows which lenders participate. Get matched here.