Foreign National Mortgage Lenders 2026: Non-US Citizens CAN Buy Homes

By David Rodriguez••16 min read

Foreign national in the US on H1B, L1, or E2 visa? You CAN get a mortgage with 20-25% down, no SSN required (ITIN OK). Rates: 7.25-9.5% in Sept 2026. Requirements: valid visa, 2 years US/foreign tax returns, 620-680+ credit. Green card holders get same rates as US citizens (10% down, 6.65%).

🌍

Foreign National Mortgage: H1B Visa Example

You: H1B visa holder, $120K income, 720 credit. Buy $500K home with 20% down ($100K). Borrow $400K at 7.50% rate = $2,796/month (P&I). Requirements: valid H1B visa, 2 years W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements. No SSN required if you have ITIN.

Get Foreign National Quote →

H1B/L1/E2 visa • ITIN • Green card

🏆 Top 10 Foreign National Mortgage Lenders 2026

🥇 #1: LendingTree: Compare 10+ Foreign National Lenders

✅ Why We Rank #1:

  • • Compare 10+ foreign national lenders in 3 minutes
  • • H1B, L1, E2, ITIN, green card accepted
  • • See rates from Bank of America, HSBC, TD, Chase, more
  • • Soft credit check only (no score impact)
  • • Save $10K-30K by comparing vs going to 1 lender

💰 Rate Range:

  • • H1B/L1/E2 visa: 7.25-8.50%
  • • ITIN (no visa): 8.00-9.50%
  • • Green card: 6.65-7.00%
  • • Foreign investor: 9.00-10.50%

💡 Pro Tip: Why Compare Multiple Lenders

Foreign national rates vary WIDELY between lenders (1-2% difference). Bank A may quote 8.5% while Bank B quotes 7.25% for the exact same H1B borrower. LendingTree shows you ALL rates side-by-side so you get the absolute lowest rate.

Compare Foreign National Lenders (60 Seconds) →

🥈 #2: Bank of America: ITIN Accepted (No SSN Required)

✅ Why Choose BofA:

  • • ITIN accepted (no SSN required)
  • • H1B, L1, E2, green card accepted
  • • Rate: 7.50-8.50% (25% down)
  • • Foreign credit reports accepted
  • • 3,900+ branches nationwide

📋 Requirements:

  • • Valid passport + visa OR ITIN
  • • 25-30% down payment
  • • 620+ credit (US or foreign)
  • • 2 years tax returns
  • • 6 months reserves
Get BofA Foreign National Quote →

🥉 #3: HSBC: Expat Mortgage Specialist

✅ Why Choose HSBC:

  • • Global banking specialist
  • • Expat mortgage program (30% down)
  • • H1B, L1, E2, green card accepted
  • • Rate: 7.75-8.75%
  • • Foreign income accepted (convert to USD)

🌍 Best For:

  • • Expats with foreign bank accounts
  • • HSBC Premier members (rate discount)
  • • Multiple countries income
  • • Global wealth management clients
Get HSBC Expat Quote →

#4: TD Bank: Work Visa Specialist (H1B/L1)

Best for: H1B and L1 visa holders with US employment

  • • H1B/L1 visa specialist (25% down)
  • • Rate: 7.25-8.00% (680+ credit)
  • • 580+ credit accepted (higher down payment)
  • • 2 years US employment required
  • • Foreign credit reports accepted
Get TD Bank H1B Quote →

#5: Chase International: H1B/L1 Specialist (Relationship Discounts)

Best for: Chase customers with work visas

  • • H1B/L1 visa accepted (20-25% down)
  • • Rate: 7.50-8.25% (0.25% off for Chase customers)
  • • Green card: 10% down, same as US citizens
  • • $500 closing cost credit for Chase customers
  • • 4,700+ branches for in-person service

#6: Angel Oak: Non-QM Foreign National Loans

Best for: Foreign investors, self-employed, no US income

  • • Non-QM foreign national loans (30-35% down)
  • • No US income required (qualify on assets)
  • • Rate: 8.50-9.50% (620+ credit)
  • • Foreign investors OK (rental properties)
  • • Bank statement income accepted

📊 Foreign National Mortgage Comparison Table 2026

LenderRate RangeDown PaymentVisa Types AcceptedITIN OK?Best For
LendingTree7.25-9.50%20-35%H1B, L1, E2, Green Card✅ YesCompare multiple lenders
Bank of America7.50-8.50%25-30%H1B, L1, E2, Green Card✅ YesITIN accepted (no SSN)
HSBC7.75-8.75%30%H1B, L1, E2, Green Card✅ YesExpats, global banking
TD Bank7.25-8.00%25%H1B, L1, Green CardLimitedH1B/L1 work visas
Chase International7.50-8.25%20-25%H1B, L1, Green Card❌ NoChase customers
Angel Oak8.50-9.50%30-35%All visas, foreign investors✅ YesForeign investors, no US income
US Citizen (comparison)6.65%3-20%N/AN/ALowest rates
Compare Today's Top Lenders — Free, Takes 2 Minutes →

💡 Key Insight: Green Card Holders Get US Citizen Rates

If you have a green card (permanent resident), you qualify for the SAME rates as US citizens (6.65% in Sept 2026) with just 10-20% down. This saves you $200-400/month vs foreign national rates. H1B/L1 visa holders pay 0.60-1.35% more (7.25-8.00%) due to visa expiration risk. Compare rates →

🛂 Foreign National Mortgage Requirements by Visa Type

✅ H1B Work Visa (Best Rates for Foreign Nationals)

Requirements:

  • • Valid H1B visa (3+ years remaining)
  • • 2 years continuous US employment
  • • W-2 income + pay stubs
  • • 680+ credit score (US or foreign)
  • • 20-25% down payment

Rates & Terms:

  • • Rate: 7.25-8.00%
  • • Down: 20-25%
  • • Max DTI: 43%
  • • Reserves: 6 months
  • • Best lenders: TD Bank, Chase, BofA

📈 H1B Example:

You: $150K income, 720 credit, H1B valid until 2029. Buy $600K home with 20% down ($120K). Borrow $480K at 7.50% = $3,355/month. Monthly income: $12,500. DTI: 27% ✅ Approved.

✅ ITIN (No Visa, No SSN)

Requirements:

  • • Valid ITIN from IRS
  • • 2 years US or foreign tax returns
  • • Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements)
  • • 620-680+ credit (US or foreign credit report)
  • • 25-30% down payment

Rates & Terms:

  • • Rate: 8.00-9.50%
  • • Down: 25-30%
  • • Max DTI: 43%
  • • Reserves: 6-12 months
  • • Best lenders: BofA, HSBC, Angel Oak

💡 How to Get an ITIN:

File IRS Form W-7 with tax return or mortgage application. Attach passport + visa (if applicable). ITIN issued in 7-11 weeks. Use ITIN instead of SSN for mortgage application.

✅ Green Card / Permanent Resident (Best Option!)

Requirements:

  • • Valid green card (permanent resident)
  • • 2 years employment (any job type)
  • • W-2 or 1099 income
  • • 620+ credit score
  • • 10-20% down (same as US citizens)

Rates & Terms:

  • • Rate: 6.65-7.00%
  • • Down: 10-20% (3% FHA option)
  • • Max DTI: 50% (FHA/VA)
  • • Reserves: 0-6 months
  • • Best lenders: ANY conventional lender

🎉 Green Card = Same as US Citizen:

Green card holders get conventional loans at 6.65%, FHA at 3.5% down, VA loans (if eligible). NO foreign national premium. Save $200-400/month vs H1B/ITIN rates.

⚠️

Visa Expiration Warning: Must Have 3+ Years Remaining

Most lenders require your visa to be valid for at least 3 years after closing. If your H1B expires in 2027 but you're buying in 2026, you may be DENIED unless you have approved visa extension. Solution: Get visa renewed BEFORE applying for mortgage, or wait until green card approved.

📅 Visa Timeline Example:

• H1B expires: March 2028

• Apply for mortgage: Sept 2026

• Remaining time: 20 months ❌ DENIED

Solution: Renew H1B to 2031 FIRST, then apply for mortgage ✅

💰 Foreign National Mortgage Cost Comparison

Scenario 1: H1B Visa vs Green Card (Same Borrower)

H1B Visa Holder

  • • Loan amount: $400,000
  • • Rate: 7.50%
  • • Down payment (25%): $133,333
  • • Monthly payment: $2,796 (P&I)
  • • Total interest (30 years): $606,640

Green Card Holder (Same Borrower)

  • • Loan amount: $450,000
  • • Rate: 6.65%
  • • Down payment (15%): $79,412
  • • Monthly payment: $2,879 (P&I)
  • • Total interest (30 years): $586,440

💡 Green Card Savings:

Lower down payment ($53K less upfront) + $20K less interest over 30 years. Green card = save $73K+ vs H1B visa on same home purchase.

📋 Foreign National Mortgage Application Checklist

Required Documents (ALL Foreign Nationals)

✅ Identity Documents

  • • Valid passport (all pages, color copies)
  • • Visa (if applicable): H1B, L1, E2, etc.
  • • Green card (front and back, if applicable)
  • • ITIN letter from IRS (if no SSN)
  • • I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (from CBP.gov)

✅ Income Documents

  • • 2 years US tax returns (1040 + all schedules)
  • • 2 years W-2s or 1099s
  • • Recent pay stubs (last 30 days)
  • • Employment verification letter (on company letterhead)
  • • Bank statements (2-3 months, all accounts)

✅ Credit Documents

  • • US credit report (if available)
  • • Foreign credit report (translated to English)
  • • Reference letters from foreign banks
  • • Proof of rent payment history (12 months)
  • • Explanation letter for limited US credit

✅ Asset Documents

  • • Down payment source (bank statements, gift letter)
  • • 6-12 months reserves (liquid assets)
  • • Investment account statements
  • • Retirement account statements (401k, IRA)
  • • Foreign assets (converted to USD, notarized)

❓ Foreign National Mortgage FAQs 2026

What are the best foreign national mortgage lenders in 2026?▼
The best foreign national mortgage lenders in 2026 are: (1) LendingTree: compare 10+ foreign national lenders instantly; (2) Bank of America: ITIN accepted, 25% down, no SSN required; (3) HSBC: expat specialist, global banking, 30% down; (4) TD Bank: work visa accepted, 25% down, 580+ credit; (5) Chase International: H1B/L1 visa OK, 20% down; (6) Angel Oak: Non-QM foreign national, 30-35% down, 620+ credit. Rates: 7.5-9.5% (Sept 2026).
Can I get a mortgage in the US without a Social Security Number?▼
Yes, you can get a US mortgage without an SSN using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). Requirements: Valid passport, visa (if applicable), ITIN from IRS, 25-35% down payment, 2+ years tax returns (US or foreign), proof of income (pay stubs, employment letter), 620-680+ credit score (US or foreign credit report). Get ITIN mortgage quotes → Lenders that accept ITIN: Bank of America, TD Bank, HSBC, Chase, Angel Oak.
What visa types are accepted for US mortgages?▼
US mortgage lenders accept these visa types: H1B work visa (most common, 20-25% down), L1 intracompany transfer (20-25% down), E2 investor visa (25% down), O1 extraordinary ability (25% down), TN NAFTA professional (25% down), F1 student visa with OPT/CPT work authorization (30% down), Green card/permanent resident (10-20% down, same as US citizens). NOT ACCEPTED: Tourist visas (B1/B2), expired visas, pending visa applications. Check visa eligibility →
How much down payment do foreign nationals need?▼
Foreign national down payment requirements by visa status: H1B/L1 work visa: 20-25% down (best rates). Green card holders: 10-20% down (same as US citizens). ITIN (no visa): 25-30% down. Foreign investor (no US income): 30-40% down. Cash buyers (no mortgage needed): 100% (no down payment issues). Example: $500K home with H1B visa = $100K-125K down payment required. The larger your down payment, the better your rate and approval odds.
Do foreign nationals get higher mortgage rates?▼
Yes, foreign national mortgage rates are 0.50-2.00% higher than US citizen rates. Sept 2026 comparison: US citizen conventional: 6.65% (740+ credit, 20% down). Foreign national with visa: 7.25-8.00% (740+ credit, 25% down). Foreign national ITIN (no visa): 8.00-9.50% (680+ credit, 30% down). Foreign investor (no US income): 9.00-10.50% (35-40% down). Compare foreign national rates → Rates are higher due to perceived risk and lack of US credit history.
Can foreign nationals buy investment properties in the US?▼
Yes, foreign nationals can buy US investment properties with 30-40% down payment. Requirements: Valid passport and visa (or ITIN), 30-40% down payment (investors), 680+ credit score (US or foreign report), rental income verification (appraisal required), 6-12 months reserves, no US income required (qualify on rental income only). Best lenders for foreign investors: Angel Oak (DSCR loans, 620+ credit), Deephaven (Non-QM, no income verification), LendingTree (compare multiple lenders). Rates: 8.5-10.5% for foreign investors.

🌍 Get Approved as Foreign National

Compare 10+ foreign national lenders in 60 seconds. H1B/L1/E2 visa OK • ITIN accepted • Green card = US citizen rates

Get Foreign National Quote →

✅ Soft credit check | ✅ No SSN required (ITIN OK) | ✅ Compare 10+ lenders