- Non-US citizens can buy property in the US whether or not they have legal documentation permitting them to be here.
- Non-resident homebuyers will either need to get an ITIN mortgage or pay in cash to buy a home.
- ITIN mortgages are often much more expensive than traditional mortgage options.
Yes, non-US citizens, including undocumented immigrants, can buy property in the US. According to Business Insider1, foreign nationals, visa and green-card holders, and even those who have entered the country unlawfully can buy a home in the US. However, they will either need to get an ITIN mortgage or pay in cash to buy a home. ITIN mortgages are often much more expensive than traditional mortgage options.
It’s important to note that getting a loan as an immigrant can be challenging depending on your residency status and the type of documentation you have. While permanent and non-permanent residents who are legally authorized to live and work in the US are generally able to use a conforming mortgage to buy a house, immigrants without this documentation usually have to find non-conforming alternatives or pay for the home in cash 1.
What is ITIN mortgage?
An ITIN mortgage is a type of mortgage that is available to non-US citizens, including undocumented immigrants, who do not have a Social Security number. ITIN stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. To apply for an ITIN mortgage, borrowers provide their ITIN as an alternative form of identification in place of an SSN 123.
ITIN mortgages are often much more expensive than traditional mortgage options. Borrowers who are ineligible for Social Security numbers, such as foreign nationals, visa and green-card holders, and even those who have entered the country unlawfully, can buy a home in the US by either getting an ITIN mortgage or paying in cash 1.
I hope this information helps!