VA loan requirements
What the VA and your lender check: your service, credit, income and the home you want to buy.
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At a glance
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Credit and income standards
- You live in the home
- VA appraisal
Talk with a licensed loan officer
Questions, answered
Is there a minimum credit score for a VA loan?
The VA does not set one. Each lender sets its own, so the minimum you hear can change from one lender to the next.
How long do I have to serve to get a VA loan?
Service members need at least 90 continuous days. Veterans who served since August 2, 1990 generally need 24 continuous months, or the full period of at least 90 days they were called to active duty. Guard, Reserve and earlier service periods have their own rules.
Do I need a Certificate of Eligibility before I apply?
You need one to get the loan, and your lender can request it online for you. You can also request it yourself through VA.gov.
Can I use a VA loan on a rental or vacation home?
No. You have to live in the home you buy with the loan. You can buy a 2 to 4 unit property if you live in one of the units.
Are VA loan requirements different by state?
The VA's service rules are the same in every state. Property taxes, insurance and closing practices differ, so check your state guide.
More answers in the FLO Mortgage VA FAQ.
Service requirements
These are the VA's minimums for the most common groups. The eligibility walkthrough covers earlier service periods.
| Service members | At least 90 continuous days |
|---|---|
| Veterans, service since Aug. 2, 1990 | 24 continuous months, or the full period of at least 90 days you were called to active duty |
| National Guard | At least 90 days of qualifying active duty, or 6 creditable years if you still serve, were discharged honorably or were placed on the retired list |
| Reserve | At least 90 days of non-training active duty, or 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve if you still serve, were discharged honorably or were placed on the retired list |
| Surviving spouses | You may qualify if you receive or are eligible for certain VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or if your spouse is missing in action or a prisoner of war |
Shorter service can still count if you left early for a reason such as hardship or a service-connected disability. With an other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, you may not qualify, but you can apply and the VA will review your records.
Certificate of Eligibility
Your COE shows the lender that you meet the service requirements. Your lender can submit the request online, or you can request it through VA.gov. Your entitlement shows up on the COE too, and it matters if you've used a VA loan before.
Credit and income
The VA says you have to meet credit and income standards from both the VA and your lender. The VA sets no minimum credit score and no maximum debt-to-income ratio. It uses 41% as a guideline and also looks at residual income, the money you have left each month after your mortgage, debts and estimated living costs.
If an automated system can't approve your file, manual underwriting may be an option with some lenders.
The home you're buying
- You have to live in it. See the VA occupancy rules.
- A VA appraisal confirms the value and checks the home against VA property requirements.
- A condo has to be VA-approved. See condos and property types.
Down payment and funding fee
With full entitlement, the VA sets no cap on how much you can borrow without a down payment, as long as the sales price isn't higher than the appraised value. You still have to qualify for the payment, and a lender can set stricter rules. If you have an existing VA loan or entitlement that hasn't been restored, you may need a down payment.
You may need to pay a one-time funding fee, and some borrowers are exempt. Try the funding fee calculator or see who is exempt.
Sources: VA.gov eligibility and VA.gov purchase loans, and 38 CFR 36.4340 for VA underwriting standards, and VA.gov loan limits.
More VA loan guides
- VA home loans overview
- VA loan questions, answered
- VA loan tools and calculators
- VA loan calculator
- VA loan credit score rules
- VA Certificate of Eligibility
- How a VA loan works
- VA home buying roadmap
- VA loans for first-time buyers
- VA loans for active duty
- VA loans for Guard and Reserve
- VA appraisals and property requirements
- VA closing costs and seller concessions
- VA occupancy rules
- VA entitlement and second VA loans
- Assumable VA loans
- VA condos and property types
- Disabled veteran property tax exemptions
- VA streamline refinance (IRRRL)
- VA cash-out refinance
- VA funding fee exemption
- VA loans for surviving spouses
- VA residual income explained
- VA loans after bankruptcy or foreclosure
This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, property eligibility and program availability. Lender requirements may be stricter than the program guidelines described here. Not all applicants will qualify. Figures reflect 2026 VA guidelines and may change without notice. FLO Mortgage, LLC, company NMLS #1835856. Licensed mortgage lender in Florida (MLD2621), Georgia and Tennessee. Equal Housing Opportunity. FLO Mortgage is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Licensing & Disclosures.
Local, licensed help
Talk a VA loan through with a FLO loan officer
Every FLO Mortgage loan officer can walk you through this program, run the numbers for your situation and compare it with your other options. Have questions? Call our main office at (386) 882-9980.
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