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VA Loan requirements for 2026

Quick answer

To qualify for a VA loan you need a Certificate of Eligibility based on military service, enough income to meet VA residual-income standards and your lender's credit requirements (VA sets no minimum score; many lenders use 620), and you must occupy the home. There is no down payment requirement and no monthly mortgage insurance.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsLast updated

What are the VA loan requirements?

RequirementVA
Minimum credit scoreNone set by VA; lenders commonly require 580–620
Minimum down payment$0 when the price doesn't exceed appraised value
Debt-to-income41% guideline plus VA residual-income test
Mortgage insuranceNone; one-time funding fee (2.15% first use with <5% down) unless exempt
OccupancyPrimary residence
Loan limitNo limit with full entitlement; county limit applies to remaining entitlement

How does VA mortgage insurance work?

VA loans have no monthly mortgage insurance. Instead there's a one-time funding fee — for first use with less than 5% down it is 2.15% of the loan, falling to 1.5% with 5% down and 1.25% with 10% down. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt.

What property rules apply?

The home must be your primary residence and meet VA minimum property requirements verified by a VA appraisal. Condos must be on VA's approved list.

Learn more on our VA Loan guide or check 2026 loan limits by county.

VA requirements by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

VA options by credit score

500 credit score520 credit score540 credit score560 credit score580 credit score600 credit score620 credit score640 credit score660 credit score680 credit score700 credit score720 credit score740 credit score760 credit score780 credit score800 credit score

Frequently asked questions

None set by VA; lenders commonly require 580–620

$0 when the price doesn't exceed appraised value

VA loans have no monthly mortgage insurance. Instead there's a one-time funding fee — for first use with less than 5% down it is 2.15% of the loan, falling to 1.5% with 5% down and 1.25% with 10% down. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt.

The home must be your primary residence and meet VA minimum property requirements verified by a VA appraisal. Condos must be on VA's approved list.

Sources

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.