ITIN lenders: how to get a loan or mortgage with an ITIN
ITIN lenders are the banks, credit unions, and lenders that approve personal loans, car loans, and mortgages with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. You won't qualify for FHA or most conventional mortgages, but credit unions and specialist lenders fill the gap. This guide shows who lends, what they ask for, and what it costs.
By Alex Thomas · Founder of ITIN Club
Updated 6 min read
- Personal loan
- Mortgage
- Credit score
Ask members who've already done this.
- Tax ID
- ITIN, no SSN
- FHA loans
- SSN required
- Mortgage down payment
- 5%–20%
- Personal loan APR
- Aim for 36% or less
How ITIN loans work
An ITIN loan is an ordinary loan made to someone who applies with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The lender checks your credit, income, and debts the same way. What changes is where you can apply: the government-backed programs most lenders rely on want a Social Security number, so ITIN lending comes from lenders that keep the loans themselves.
- Personal loans from credit unions and community lenders
- Car loans from credit unions
- ITIN mortgages from specialist lenders and credit unions
- Secured cards and credit-builder loans to start a file
- FHA loans: every borrower needs a valid SSN
- Federal student loans: an SSN is required
- Most big-bank personal loans
- Conventional mortgages, unless you also document legal status
No ITIN yet? Start with How to get an ITIN as a foreigner.
What you can borrow
| Loan | With an ITIN | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Personal loan | Yes, at a smaller set of lenders | Credit unions, community lenders, and online lenders like Oportun |
| Car loan | Yes | Credit unions with ITIN programs, and some dealer lenders |
| Mortgage | Yes, as an ITIN or non-QM loan | Specialist lenders, credit unions, and mortgage brokers |
| FHA loan | No | HUD requires a valid SSN for every borrower |
| Conventional mortgage | Only with proof of legal status | Fannie Mae accepts an ITIN plus verified legal residency, such as a work permit or green card |
| Federal student loan | No | Federal aid requires an SSN. Ask your school about private aid |
ITIN lenders to compare
These lenders say on their own sites that they take an ITIN. Terms change, so treat this as a starting list and check each one before you apply.
| Lender | Loans | With an ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| First National Bank of America | Mortgages, nationwide | 15% minimum down, gift funds allowed, borrowers with no credit eligible |
| Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions | Mortgages, through brokers | 640 minimum score, up to 80% financing, primary homes only |
| HOPE Credit Union | Mortgages in the Deep South | Up to 95% financing on homes up to $250,000, 580 minimum score, no mortgage insurance |
| Cobalt Credit Union | Personal, car, and home loans around Omaha | ITIN document, pay stub, and passport or consular ID. Personal loans from $500 to $30,000 |
| Oportun | Personal loans, online and in stores | $300 to $10,000, APR capped at 35.99%, no credit score needed |
Which lender said yes?
See which lenders approved members with an ITIN, and what rate and down payment they got, before you apply.
ITIN mortgages
An ITIN mortgage works like any home loan, with stricter terms. Expect a bigger down payment and a higher rate than a conventional loan.
- From 5% at some credit unions to 20% or more at specialist lenders
- Gift money is often allowed, with limits
- Closing costs come on top of the down payment
- Minimum scores from 580 to 640 are common
- Some lenders accept no score, using rent and bills instead
- 12 months of on-time rent helps your case
- Your ITIN letter from the IRS
- 2 years of tax returns filed with your ITIN
- Passport or consular ID
- Pay stubs or 12 months of bank statements
Personal loans
Lenders that take an ITIN for a personal loan usually ask for a photo ID, your ITIN, proof of address, proof of income, and a list of your monthly debts. Many let you prequalify with a soft credit check, which doesn't affect your score.
Compare offers by APR, not the monthly payment. The APR includes fees, and some lenders take an administrative fee of up to 10% out of the loan. A 36% APR is the cap many consumer advocates treat as the line between expensive and predatory.
Step by step
- 1
Keep your ITIN active
Lenders check it, and mortgages need tax returns filed with it. Renew it if it has expired.
- 2
Open a US bank account
Statements prove income and savings, and most lenders pay the loan into it. See how to open a US bank account as a non-resident.
- 3
Build a credit file
A secured card is the fastest start. See how to get a US credit card as a non-resident, then check your credit score after 6 months.
- 4
Prequalify with a soft check
Use prequalification to see likely terms without a hard inquiry on your report.
- 5
Compare the total cost
Line up APR, fees, term, and total repaid. Ask whether there's a prepayment penalty.
- 6
Apply to the best offer
Send one full application at a time. Each one is a hard inquiry.
- 7
Pay on time, every time
Lenders like Oportun report payments to the credit bureaus, so the loan builds your US credit history.
Offers to avoid
- Anyone who guarantees approval or asks for a fee before you get the money. The FTC says that's an advance-fee scam.
- Payday and car title loans, unless it's a true emergency and you can repay on the due date.
- Offers to use someone else's SSN or a made-up one. That's fraud, and the loan is yours to repay either way.
- Contracts you can't read. Get help with English documents before you sign.
- Loans whose payment takes more than you can spare every month.
Free tool
Quick answers
Questions
What lenders accept ITIN numbers?
Can someone get a loan with an ITIN number?
What are the requirements to qualify for an ITIN loan?
Can I get an FHA loan with an ITIN number?
Are interest rates higher on ITIN loans?
Are there online lenders that accept an ITIN?
Does an ITIN loan help my credit score?
Sources
- FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1hud.gov
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide: general borrower eligibilityselling-guide.fanniemae.com
- Regulation B: rules for evaluating credit applicationsecfr.gov
- CFPB: costs and fees of a payday loanconsumerfinance.gov
- FTC: what to know about advance-fee loansconsumer.ftc.gov
- Federal Student Aid Handbook: Social Security numberfsapartners.ed.gov
- First National Bank of America: ITIN home loansfnba.com
- Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions: ITIN mortgage loanangeloakms.com
- HOPE Credit Union: ITIN loanshopecu.org
- Cobalt Credit Union: ITIN lendingcobaltcu.com
- Oportun: personal loansoportun.com
Join ITIN Club — it's free
Ask members who've already done it, follow the first-year course step by step, and message other members directly. No SSN needed.