Eligibility Requirements for VA Home Loan Programs

Learn about VA home loan eligibility requirements for a VA direct or backed loan. To show your lender, find out how to request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) based on your service history and service status. Remember that you must also meet your lender's credit and income loan requirements for a VA-backed home loan to receive financing.

Minimum Active Duty Requirements

For service members

You meet the minimum active duty requirement if you have served at least 90 consecutive days (all together, without a break in service).

• For veterans

• Minimum active duty requirements depend on when you served.

• For members of the National Guard

• Minimum active duty requirements depend on when you served.

• For reserve members

• Minimum functional duty requirements depend on when you did.

• How do I apply for a COE?

• You can apply for COE online now.

What if I need to meet the minimum service requirements?

You may still be able to get a COE if you were fired for 1 of the reasons listed here.

You had to have been let go for one of the following reasons:

• Difficulties, or

• Government facility (must have two years of at least 20 months of enrollment), or

• Early departure (must be 21 months after two years of registration), or

• Workforce reduction, or

• Certain medical conditions, or

• Service-connected disability (disability connected to your military service)

What should I do if I feel disrespected, rude, or insulted?

You may not be eligible for VA benefits if you were unfairly, unfairly, or dishonorably discharged.

There are two ways you can qualify:

Find out how to request a discharge upgrade.

Learn about the VA Discharge Character Review process.

Can I get a COE as a spouse of a veteran?

If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran or the spouse of a veteran who is missing in action or being held as a prisoner of war (POW), you might be eligible for a COE.

Learn how to apply for a COE as a surviving spouse.

Can I get a COE in other circumstances?

You can obtain a COE if you meet at least 1 of the requirements.

• You are a United States citizen who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in World War II, or

• He served as a member of some organizations.

These roles in organizations may include:

• Public Health Service Officer

• Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Officer

• Merchant seaman during World War II

Can I use a COE that I used before?

If you meet at least 1 of these requirements, you may be able to "reinstate" an entitlement you used in the past to purchase a second home with a VA-backed or direct loan.

One of the following conditions must be met:

• You have sold the home you bought on a previous loan and paid off that loan in full, or

• A qualified, experienced assignee agrees to take over your debt and replace your entitlement with the same amount you initially used, or

• You have paid off your previous loan but have yet to sell the home you bought with that loan (you can do this only once).

To request reinstatement of eligibility, complete an Application for Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) and submit it to your state's regional VA Loan Center.

Get VA Form 26-1880 to download.

Find a regional VA loan center for your state.

What if I have questions about my eligibility?

If you have questions about your eligibility for a VA home loan, call your regional VA Loan Center at 877-827-3702 (TTY: 711). We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

• Get more information.

• Learn more about VA Home Loan Guarantee benefits (PDF).

• Play a video on the costs of home ownership (YouTube)

• See the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Mortgage Lending Toolkit (PDF).

Loan Options

Loan Purchase

Do you want to buy a house? See if you qualify for a purchase loan from the VA that has better terms than one from a private lender.

Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRR)

Do you have an existing VA home loan? Find out if you can get a VA-backed IRL to help lower your monthly payments or make them more stable.

Refinance the loan with a cash-out.

Are you looking to withdraw cash from your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, or take care of other needs? Find out if you can take out VA-backed money to refinance a loan.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program

Do you have Native American ancestry or are you married to someone who does? Find out if you can get a loan to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land through our NADL program.