No. Passport accepted in lieu of SSN. ITIN holders with U.S. tax history may access additional program tiers.

What countries are covered?

Most countries covered; some lenders exclude OFAC-sanctioned countries. Country-specific requirements vary.

Can I purchase in an LLC's name?

Some programs allow foreign entity vesting with additional documentation. Not all lenders support this.

How do I get a bank letter of standing?

Request from your bank's branch or private banking manager confirming account holder, standing, relationship length, and balance range.

Can I refinance once I have U.S. credit?

Yes — after 12–24 months of U.S. payment history, a FICO score establishes, enabling a refinance at better terms.

← Foreign national loans

Foreign national mortgage requirements

Foreign national mortgages require translated income documentation, proof of foreign banking relationships, and a passport. No U.S. credit history or Social Security number is required. Down payments typically range from 25–40%.

By Sunrise Lending

Who qualifies

Non-U.S. residents purchasing or refinancing U.S. real estate. This includes visa holders, non-resident aliens, ITIN holders without a U.S. credit history, and foreign nationals buying U.S. investment or vacation property.

What you need to know

Passport + proof of foreign address (utility bill or bank statement)
Foreign-country income documentation: tax returns, employer letter, or audited business financials
Translation to English required (by a certified translator)
Letters of standing or 12 months of statements from a foreign financial institution
No U.S. credit history required — evaluated on foreign credit references
Down payment: 25–40% depending on property type and country of origin
ITIN accepted at many programs in lieu of SSN

Income documentation from foreign sources

The primary income documents are the foreign equivalents of what a U.S. borrower would provide. Employed borrowers: employer letter confirming salary, title, and tenure, plus the most recent year of foreign income tax returns. Self-employed borrowers: 2 years of foreign business tax returns or audited financial statements, plus a letter from a foreign accountant confirming business ownership and income.

All documents in non-English languages must be translated by a certified translator. The translation and the original should be submitted together. The lender's underwriter evaluates both.

Credit evaluation without a FICO score

Foreign national programs do not use FICO. Instead, lenders evaluate: credit reports from the borrower's home country (obtained through the lender's international credit agency), letters of standing from the borrower's primary bank confirming the account relationship and standing, and the overall strength of the file (income, assets, loan-to-value).

Some programs also accept letters of reference from U.S. banking contacts if the borrower has existing U.S. accounts — but this is supplemental, not required.

ITIN borrowers

If you have a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from prior U.S. tax filings, include your U.S. tax history in the application. Some programs treat ITIN borrowers with an established U.S. tax history as a different program tier from fully offshore borrowers.

State availability

Foreign national loan availability varies by state and lender. Programs are more broadly available in Florida, Texas, New York, California, and other states with high concentrations of foreign buyers. Confirm that the originating loan officer is licensed in the state where the property is located.

Common questions

Do I need a Social Security number for a foreign national loan?: No. Most programs accept a passport in lieu of an SSN. ITIN holders with U.S. tax-filing history may access additional program options. SSN is not required for property purchases by non-U.S. residents.
What countries does this program cover?: Most programs cover borrowers from all countries, though some lenders exclude borrowers from OFAC-sanctioned countries. Country-specific documentation requirements vary. The officer confirms availability for your country of origin.
Can I purchase the property in an LLC's name?: Some programs allow foreign entity vesting — purchase in a foreign LLC or trust. This adds documentation complexity (entity formation documents, ownership structure, personal guarantee). Not all lenders support foreign entity vesting.
How do I get a foreign bank letter of standing?: Request it directly from your bank's branch manager or private banking relationship manager. The letter should confirm the account holder's name, account standing, relationship length, and approximate balance range. Most banks are familiar with this request for international real estate purchases.
Can I refinance once I establish a U.S. credit history?: Yes — and many foreign national borrowers do exactly this. After 12–24 months of on-time U.S. mortgage payments, a FICO score may be established, enabling a refinance into a conventional or Non-QM program at lower down payment and better rates.

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Related resources

Sources

1.Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — Accessed June 2026
2.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Mortgages for Non-U.S. Citizens — Accessed June 2026
3.U.S. Census Bureau. Foreign-Born Population in the United States — Accessed June 2026

Foreign national loan requirements — down payment, documentation, and state availability — vary by lender. Programs not available in all states. Final approval, terms, and rates determined by lender after underwriting. Not a commitment to lend.

Sunrise Lending · Equal Housing Opportunity. Our AI assists with matching. All loan decisions are made by licensed mortgage professionals. Not a commitment to lend. Loan approval subject to underwriting guidelines. This is not financial advice.