Key takeaways
- No U.S. credit score, Social Security number, or residency required.
- Qualification rests on your assets and the property — documents you already have.
- Expect a higher down payment and slightly higher rate than conventional.
It’s the question I hear most from international buyers: “I don’t have a Social Security number or a U.S. credit score — can I still get a mortgage here?” The answer is yes, and the path is called a foreign national loan.
What lenders look at instead of a credit score
Conventional loans lean heavily on your U.S. credit history. Foreign national programs don’t. Instead, qualification rests on two things you already have: your assets and the property itself.
- Proof of funds for the down payment and reserves
- Evidence of income or assets from your home country
- Reference letters from your international bank
- A valid passport and visa
What to expect on terms
Down payment requirements are typically higher than for a U.S. resident, and rates run a bit above conventional — that’s the trade for the flexibility. For buyers with strong assets, the difference is often smaller than they feared, and it’s the difference between owning U.S. real estate and not.
Every country’s documentation looks different, which is exactly why it helps to work with someone who does these loans daily. If you’re weighing a U.S. purchase, send me the basics of your situation and I’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.
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