Personal Loans for Non-Citizens & Nonresidents in the USA

Personal Loans for Non-Citizens & Nonresidents in the USA

Moving to a new country is a challenge in and of itself and usually means you will incur quite the cost as you establish your life in a foreign land.

Buying flights for the whole family and moving your life over to the United States might leave a dent in your savings account, or even worse, cause you to start creating a pile of debt for yourself that feels impossible to get out of.

So what should you do in this case? How can you get a loan in a new country to pay for the things you need to start a new life abroad?

We can tell you for a fact that it is possible for you, a nonresident, to take on a loan in the US. Although it might be more difficult to get a loan as a nonresident, it isn’t impossible. As a nonresident, you are able to apply for a loan for personal use, for business use, to buy a home, and to pay for college.

We’ve created this ultimate guide to getting a loan in the United States as a nonresident to help you live out your dreams without destroying your savings or creating an immovable mountain of debt. Continue reading to find out how you can get a loan in the United States as a non-resident!

Can non-US citizens get personal loans?


Other Factors That Impact Loan Eligibility

A difference in credit card interest rates is sometimes normal between residents and nonresidents, but that depends on the lending institution. Sometimes nonresidents are charged higher interest rates compared to US residents.

Unfortunately, there may be some restrictions on getting loans for foreigners if the foreigner has only been in the United States for a limited amount of time. In cases like this, the loan might not get approved since institutions are scared that the person might leave the country without paying.

Furthermore, it is harder to get a loan if you have diplomatic immunity, because this means even though you live in the US, you are not subject to US law and therefore render institutions liable if you decide not to pay back the loan.

You might be eligible to apply for certain kinds of loans but might not have luck in applying for a personal loan in the United States since they are not designed for nonresidents. The good news is that you will still be able to apply for mortgage loans and auto loans with bad (or no) credit history. Our tip is to be patient with these kinds of loans since they call for an exorbitant amount of paperwork to get through.

Personal Loans
 for Non-U.S. Citizens!

Check Loan Options


(That link is a good place to start!)

So, how do you get a loan when you don’t fall into the above-mentioned categories?

How can I get a personal loan without US Credit History?

Depending on the lender, there might be other options for you to get a loan! Some of these options include:

  • Assembling a credit report with three nontraditional credit accounts: a rental, utility, or life insurance bill, for example.
  • Obtaining your credit history from a foreign independent credit reporting agency.
  • Getting written verification from foreign creditors to establish a credit history.

If you choose the route of verifying your credit history from another country, you will need to get all your paperwork together beforehand and convert your existing credit into US credit to be able to apply for a loan. It is crucial that you have all of that ready before moving to the United States.

How can I get other credit references?

Apart from having credit history from your home country, you should get nontraditional credit references within the United States. This type of credit will be an additional help for you when trying to obtain a loan within the United States.

Examples of nontraditional references include your rental history, and any history of payments, such as utility bills (gas, electric, water, and cable TV). In addition, you can use non-payroll-deducted medical, life, auto or renters’ insurance or school tuition.

The most important thing is that you show at least three nontraditional credit references, with each showing at least 12 months of on-time payments.

Can I get a personal loan as a nonresident?

When applying for a loan as a nonresident, be patient — expect a mountain of paperwork to come your way.

Depending on the loan, you will need to provide different kinds of paperwork as well.

It is also important to note that loans are only granted to nonresidents that plan to stay and work in the United States for at least three more years after taking on the loan. If you plan to stay less time, you won’t be able to apply for a loan.

Documents Required to Apply for a Traditional Personal Loan as a Nonresident

  • Valid visa
  • Employment authorization form
  • The form that declares you as authorized to work within the US

Different Types of Personal Loans for Nonresidents in the US

There are three main types of personal loans you can apply for as a nonresident, and this is true whether you’re an l-1 visa holder, on your OPT as an F-1 visa holder, or simply have a bad credit history.

  1.    Short-term loan

For a short-term loan, the repayment time is usually between three to five years. Short-term loans are used for smaller sums of money, and can also be used for a specific purpose, such as auto title loans. The minimum sum is usually $1,000, and the maximum is $2,250.

  1.    Installment loans

Installment loans have to be paid back over a scheduled period of time with a set number of payments. This means they can last a few months or several months. It is the perfect loan to get when you want to improve your credit history. The maximum you can take on these kinds of loans is usually $5,000.

  1.    Unsecured loans

Unsecured loans are loans that are not backed by any of your property, meaning you have fixed terms and usually high-interest rates on repayment. This kind of loan is typically used to consolidate debt or to make home improvements. The maximum amount of this loan is $100,000.

In addition to unsecured loans, there are secured loans. Secured loans require an asset as a guarantee, such as a house or a car, in order to receive the loan. This provides the lender with protection so that if you are unable to repay the loan, they have the right to access your guarantee and sell it.

Student Loans for Nonresidents

How can I get a student loan as a nonresident?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students dream of studying in the United States — in the prestigious and renowned Ivy League schools. However, many choose not to go because they start to panic when thinking about the high cost of tuition fees and living in the US.

We advise you not to give up on your dream just yet, because there are options that can help you afford an education in the US. Nonresident students in the US are eligible to apply for student loans (and yes, there are personal loans for f-1 visa holders as well!). This is usually because lenders know you are young and that you probably haven’t built up your credit history yet. Therefore, you don’t need to show your credit history, but you do need to have a cosigner to legally sign the loan papers for you.

Requirements to be a cosigner for a student loan in the US

In order to be a cosigner, the following requirements have to be met:

  •   Proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent residency
  •   Good credit history
  •   Income history
  •   Proof of having lived in the US for at least 2 years

Mortgages for Nonresidents

How can I finance a new home in the United States as a nonresident?

The most important thing for people coming to live in the US is to own their own home in the country. Most US immigrants come to the country to live the American dream, and a part of that dream is to purchase a house or an apartment and to provide shelter for the family. Although it is very difficult for a nonresident to finance a home loan or a mortgage, it is not impossible.

Whether or not you are able to apply for a loan to pay for your house depends solely on your residency status. You are allowed to apply for a home loan as a permanent resident with a valid green card (Form I-551) and as a nonpermanent resident with a valid work visa.

How can I apply for a mortgage as a nonresident?

Apart from being a permanent resident with a valid green card or a nonpermanent resident with a valid work visa, you need to provide documentation in order to be able to apply for a mortgage loan.

Documentation necessary to apply for a mortgage as a nonresident

  •       A valid work visa — E1, E2, H1B, H2A, H2B, H3, L1 or G1–G4 visas
  •       A valid Social Security number
  •       Employment authorization documentation
  •       Proof of employment history
  •       A credit history
  •       Proof of income

This documentation is needed in order to show the lender that you are able to repay the loan that you are requesting.

General Loan Information

Which loan payment option should you choose?

Depending on the loan, different payment options are available to pay back the loan. Apart from the payment options, you also have to take into consideration the interest rates and the fees associated with loans.

Make sure to evaluate everything and to read all of the contracts carefully before you actually decide to get the loan. Also, make sure to analyze different lender institutions and not take the first offer! Sometimes you’ll find that there are better offers out there than what you first find.

What do I do after applying for a loan?

You have applied for your loan as a nonresident and now all that is left to do is wait for the authorization.

It can take up to 48 hours for you to receive a loan approval confirmation — it all depends on the individual institution. Once your loan is accepted and you receive the money, make sure to stay on top of your repayments. In order to not forget your monthly payments, we recommend that you set up automatic online bank payments. Doing this will help you stay on top of payments without having worry about it each month!

Please make sure to contact your lender beforehand if you won’t be able to make a payment on time so that you can discuss the repayment options available to you.

Be as responsible as possible with your loan repayments — it is the key to your success in the United States. We wish you the best of luck in receiving your loan in the United States and hope that you are able to live the American Dream!

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