What Credit Score Do I Need for a VA Loan?

VA loans offer veterans, active duty service members and surviving spouses favorable mortgage benefits, like no down payment and lower credit score requirements, which make them a go-to choice for qualifying applicants. While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not set a minimum credit score requirement for VA loans, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 for VA loans. You may find some lenders who accept scores as low as 580, as long as certain conditions are met. Since your credit score often informs your eligible interest rate and loan terms, you should always aim for a higher credit score than the minimum required.

A 2024 Zillow survey showed that among buyers who got two or more lenders to pre-approve them, the most common reason was to find a lender that offered a better rate (36%). Whether you’re interested in buying or refinancing a house with a VA loan, familiarizing yourself with a lender’s credit score requirements will help you make an informed decision.

What is the minimum credit score for a VA loan?

The minimum credit score for a VA loan is typically 620. Factors like loan amount, income, debts and down payment can all impact a lender’s credit score requirements for a VA loan.

Can you get a VA loan with bad credit or no credit?

You can still get a VA loan with bad credit and sometimes even no credit. While serving, military members don’t always have as much time to build a credit history as other mortgage borrowers. VA lenders understand this and often consider other financial factors in addition to credit when determining loan eligibility, such as:

Loan amount: The more you borrow, the more likely lenders are to require a higher credit score. You can offset their lending risk by making a down payment to borrow less.

Current debts: A debt-to-income ratio (DTI) below 41% indicates to lenders that you may be able to afford a specified mortgage loan amount in addition to your other debt payments, which may help you qualify for a VA loan with a lower credit score.

Income: Having a stable income on top of lower debts instills confidence in your ability to continue to pay back your debts. If you have residual income left after your monthly expenses, this may also help you qualify for a VA loan with lower credit.

Payment history: Your lender will consider other debt payments you’ve made over the last six to 12 months, like car and rent payments. Any late payments or missed payments are a red flag to lenders. Showing a strong history of on-time payments may help you qualify for a lower credit score.

How VA loan credit score requirements compare to other mortgage loans

One of the benefits of VA loans is that lenders often set more lenient credit score requirements compared to other types of mortgage loans — including other government-backed loans. Here’s a quick overview of the credit scores lenders may require for loan approval:

• Conventional loans have a minimum credit score of 620 to 660.
• FHA loans have a minimum credit score of 500 with a 10% down payment or 580 with a 3.5% down payment.
• USDA loans typically require a minimum credit score of 640, but may accept scores as low as 580.

Whether you have excellent, fair, or low credit, getting pre-qualified can help determine your VA loan eligibility. Find a VA lender near you to begin the pre-qualification process.