In short
A foreign national loan is a non-QM mortgage for buyers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. No U.S. credit score is required. Investors use a passport, international credit references, down payment and reserves to approve the loan, typically for a second home or investment property.
Reviewed by Scottie Campbell, NMLS #1610726 · Last updated October 18, 2026
Can a foreign national get a mortgage in the United States?
Yes. Foreign national loans are non-QM mortgages designed for buyers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who usually live outside the country. No U.S. credit score is required. Instead, investors look at your passport and identity documents, international credit references, your down payment, your reserves and, depending on the program, foreign income or the property's rental income. These loans are typically used for second homes and investment properties.
Key takeaways
Buying property in the United States when you live and earn abroad comes with a long list of questions. Can I get a mortgage without U.S. credit? Do I need a Social Security number? How do I prove income from another country? A foreign national loan answers those questions. I'm Scottie Campbell, Mortgage Advisor and owner of Waymaker Mortgage Company, and I help international buyers understand their options clearly so they can decide with confidence.
U.S. Property, International Buyer
Plenty of people outside the United States want a home here: a vacation place, a rental property, or a home base for family members studying or working in the country. The challenge is that most U.S. mortgages assume you have a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number and U.S. tax returns.
A foreign national loan is built for buyers who don't have those things. What that means for you is that you can finance a property here using documentation from your home country, instead of paying all cash.
No U.S. Credit Score Required
This is the part that surprises most people. You don't need a U.S. credit score for a foreign national loan. Investors use other ways to understand your history, such as:
- International credit reports from your home country, where available
- Credit reference letters from banks or creditors you've worked with
- Bank references confirming your relationship and account history
If you do have some U.S. credit, it may help, but it's not required.
How These Loans Are Typically Used
Foreign national loans are typically for property you won't live in full time:
- Second homes and vacation homes
- Investment and rental properties, including programs that qualify the loan from the property's rent
- Homes for family members, depending on how the program defines occupancy
Because I'm based in Georgetown, TX and licensed in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the property needs to be in one of those four states.
What Documentation Looks Like
Every investor has its own checklist, and requirements change with the property and loan amount. In general, plan on:
| Item | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Identity and citizenship |
| Visa or entry documents (if the program requires them) | Legal ability to travel to the U.S. |
| International credit references | Payment history without a U.S. score |
| Foreign bank statements | Down payment, closing funds and reserves |
| Proof of income or a rent estimate | Ability to carry the payment (method depends on the program) |
| U.S. bank account | Where funds are placed before closing |
Documents in another language usually need a certified translation, and foreign balances are converted to U.S. dollars. My team will tell you exactly what's needed so you aren't guessing.
Down Payment and Reserves
Because the investor can't lean on U.S. credit, your down payment and reserves carry more weight. Expect a larger down payment than a typical U.S. buyer would make, plus reserves held after closing. Funds usually need to be moved into a U.S. account before closing, and large transfers need a clear paper trail. Start that process early, because international wires can take time.
Working From a Different Time Zone
High-tech, high-touch is how I like to work, and it fits international buyers well. You can sign many documents electronically, upload statements securely from anywhere, and reach me by text, email or video call. Closing arrangements (in person, by power of attorney, or at a U.S. embassy or consulate for notarization) depend on the title company and the state, and I'll help you plan for them in advance.
My Approach to Your File
I start with a Mortgage Action Plan: what you want to buy, where your funds are, how you'll document them, and how long you plan to own the property. Then I run a Total Cost Analysis so you see the cost over the time you own it, not just at closing.
Foreign national files don't all look the same, and no single investor's guidelines fit everyone. I work with multiple investor partners, so if one set of rules doesn't fit your situation, I take the file to one that does.
About Pricing
Pricing on foreign national loans depends on the property, your down payment and the program. Your rate depends on your scenario and the day's market. Reach out and I'll price it for real.
Let's Talk
Quite frankly, international purchases feel complicated until someone lays out the steps in order. That's what I do. My job is to educate and empower you. Your job is to decide. Feel free to text me or send an email, and I'll answer you directly. You're talking to the owner of this company. Here to serve.
Information on this page is general and educational. It is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Programs, guidelines and eligibility change and depend on your full scenario. Waymaker Mortgage Company, NMLS 2440476. Equal Housing Lender.
Quick facts
- Loan type
- Non-QM foreign national
- Minimum credit score
- No U.S. credit score required
- Typical occupancy
- Second home or investment property
- Key documents
- Passport, international credit references, bank statements
- Licensed states
- Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio
Is this loan right for you?
Who it's for
- International buyers who want a vacation or second home in the U.S.
- Foreign investors buying rental property
- Families buying a home base for relatives studying or working in the U.S.
- Buyers with no U.S. credit history or Social Security number
Who it may not fit
- Buyers planning to live in the home full time as a primary residence
- Buyers without funds for a larger down payment and reserves
- Properties outside Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio
Pros and cons
Pros
- No U.S. credit score required
- Use documentation from your home country
- Finance instead of paying all cash
- Remote, digital process that works across time zones
- Multiple investor partners to fit your situation
Trade-offs to weigh
- Larger down payment and reserve requirements
- Typically limited to second homes and investment properties
- International documents may need translation and extra time
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a U.S. credit score?
No. A U.S. credit score is not required for a foreign national loan. Investors can use international credit reports, credit reference letters and bank references instead.
Do I need a Social Security number or ITIN?
Generally no. Foreign national programs are designed for buyers without a Social Security number. If you have an ITIN and file U.S. taxes, an ITIN loan may also be worth comparing, and I can walk you through both.
Can I live in the home full time?
Foreign national loans are typically for second homes and investment properties, not a full-time primary residence. If you're moving to the U.S. permanently, other programs may fit better, and I'm happy to look at those with you.
How much do I need for a down payment?
More than a typical U.S. buyer, because the investor relies more on your equity. The exact amount depends on the program, property type and loan size. I'll give you real numbers once I see your scenario.
Can I close without traveling to the U.S.?
Often, yes. Depending on the title company and the state, closing may be handled with a power of attorney or by signing before a notary at a U.S. embassy or consulate. We plan this early so nothing slows down your closing.
What will my rate be?
Your rate depends on your scenario and the day's market. Reach out and I'll price it for real.
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Last updated October 18, 2026 · Reviewed by Scottie Campbell, NMLS #1610726. This page is educational and not a commitment to lend; program details change — ask for current figures.