If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it might be difficult to qualify for a personal loan from a U.S.-based lender. However, there are several lenders that offer personal loans for non-citizens — provided you meet their eligibility requirements.
We found that Upgrade offers the best personal loans for non-U.S. citizens, overall, due to flexible eligibility requirements and wide availability. But the best personal loan for you will depend on your situation and needs.
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4 lenders that offer personal loans to non-U.S. citizens
Before taking out a personal loan, it’s important to consider multiple lenders. This way, you can find the right loan for your needs. To make this task a little easier, we've selected a list of Credible partner lenders that offer personal loans to non-citizens:
Advertiser Disclosure
Upgrade: Best for non-U.S. citizens
Est. APR
7.99 - 35.99%
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Min. Credit Score
580
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Advertiser Disclosure
Best Egg: Best for homeowners
Est. APR
6.99 - 35.99%
Loan Amount
$2,000 to $50,000
Min. Credit Score
600
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Advertiser Disclosure
LendingClub: Very low rates for good to excellent credit
Est. APR
7.90 - 35.99%
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Min. Credit Score
660
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident with Social Security number (SSN)
Advertiser Disclosure
Upstart: Fast personal loans for all credit types
Est. APR
7.80 - 35.99%
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Min. Credit Score
620
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Methodology
Credible evaluated 31 lenders across 899 data points to help you find the best personal loans for non-U.S. citizens. We began by limiting our selections to lenders that offer personal loans to permanent residents or permanent residents with Social Security numbers in addition to U.S. citizens. Other criteria included minimum and maximum APRs, fees, funding time, loan amounts, approved loan purposes, and minimum credit score requirements. Our team also gathered information from each lender's website, customer service department, directly from our partners, and via email support.
We chose the best lenders based on the following weighted categories:
- Rates and fees: 18%
- Loan terms: 18%
- Customer experience: 17%
- Eligibility: 14%
- Customer satisfaction: 10%
- Efficiency: 10%
- Options for poor credit and no credit: 9%
- Discounts: 4%
Each data point was sourced and verified by a senior editor to make sure it was accurate and up to date. Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our personal loans lender rating methodology.
Can a non-U.S. citizen get a personal loan?
Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get approved for personal loans from certain lenders. Just keep in mind that the specific requirements vary by lender, and non-U.S. citizens might not have enough credit or income history to qualify for the lowest rates or most favorable terms.
What lenders typically look for in a non-U.S. citizen applicant
While specific eligibility criteria can vary, here are some common requirements that you’ll typically need to meet to qualify for a personal loan as a non-U.S. citizen:
Years of credit history
Many lenders typically want to see at least two years of credit history — possibly more — before you can take out a personal loan.
Good to know
Some lenders might be willing to accept documentation of payment history or credit history from your home country if you don’t have sufficient U.S.-based credit history.
Check Out: No-Credit-History Loans
Type of visa
If you’re a visa holder, you might or might not be able to get a personal loan depending on the type of visa you have. Here are some of the visa categories that might qualify you for a personal loan:
- E-1
- E-2
- G series
- H-1B
- H-2A
- H-2B
- H-3
- J-1
- L-1
- O-1
- TN
Length of the personal loan
Generally, lenders will only allow you to choose a repayment term that’s shorter than the period of time you’re authorized to live in the U.S. This way, the lender will have less trouble collecting payment.
For example, if you have a visa that lasts an additional two years from the time of your loan application, your lender likely won’t let you pick a five-year repayment term.
Cosigner in the U.S.
You might also be required to apply with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen. Not only does this provide assurance to the lender that the loan will be repaid, but it might also qualify you for a better interest rate compared to what you’d get on your own.
Expert editor insight: “International students may be able to apply for personal loans, but what if the lender has income requirements? Students with F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas may be eligible to work in the U.S. and earn income, although the salary from a part-time job might not be enough for most lenders. Narrow your search to lenders with very low income requirements, such as LendingClub (none), Upstart ($12,000), or Best Egg ($3,500).”
— Barry Bridges, Personal Loans Editor, Credible
How to get a personal loan as a non-U.S. citizen
Here’s what you’ll generally need to provide when applying for a personal loan as a non-U.S. citizen:
1. Compare lenders
Immigrants looking for personal loans should compare multiple lenders to find the best possible terms. Start with each lender's annual percentage rate (APR), the annual cost of borrowing that accounts for interest rates and any upfront lender fees, such as origination fees. Also consider the length of the repayment term, how long it will take to fund the loan, and any minimum credit score or income requirements.
2. Prequalify for a loan
Research personal loan lenders that approve loans for immigrants. You can use a personal loan marketplace to prequalify with multiple lenders and choose the best option for your situation.
3. Gather documentation and personal information
This typically includes:
- Identification, such as a driver’s license
- Proof of address
- Contact information
- Social Security number (SSN) or other identifying information
Proof of income and job status
Some lenders have a minimum income requirement while others don’t — but in either case, you’ll still generally need to show proof of income. This might require submitting W2s, pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns.
Additionally, you’ll need to share your employment status as well as your employer’s contact information.
Related: Debt-to-Income Ratio: What It Means and Why It Matters
Other documentation
You may also need to provide additional documentation about your residency status or visa or any other documentation related to your status as a non-citizen.
4. Submit your application
Submit your application online through the lender's website.
When you apply for a personal loan, you’ll typically need to authorize a hard credit check so the lender can decide whether to offer a loan and at what rate and terms. It's also best to have good to excellent credit.
5. Review the loan agreement and sign
If you've been approved for a personal loan, review the loan agreement closely before signing. Make sure the loan's APR, monthly payment, repayment schedule, and any upfront fees are acceptable. Reach out to the lender if you have any questions or concerns.
Once you sign the loan agreement and other required documentation, the lender will typically send the money directly to your bank account, often within one to three business days.
Options for borrowing with no U.S. credit history
If you haven’t built a credit history in the U.S., you might have a hard time meeting lender minimum credit score requirements. There are a couple of options that might help in this case:
Nova Credit
Nova Credit, a cross-border credit bureau, offers several ways to establish and build credit in the U.S. These options include:
- Transferring your credit score from your home country to the U.S.
- Applying for a secured credit card
- Establishing a relationship with a bank based in the United States
- Applying for U.S. credit with a cosigner
- Making on-time payments and changing products if needed
Use information from your home country
You might also be able to use a credit package or information from your home country that shows your creditworthiness.
Interest rates and loan amounts by FICO score and income ranges
If you’re curious how likely you are to qualify for a personal loan, what rate you might get, or how much money you might be approved to borrow, take a look at the charts below, which are based on Credible user data.
In the first chart, we see that borrowers with high credit scores are likely to qualify for the lowest interest rates and highest loan amounts.
Personal loan interest rates by credit score
Based on Credible prequalified and closed loans data between April 2024 and March 2025. Source: Credible
But many people who apply for personal loans don’t have excellent credit. In the second chart, we see that average FICO scores, regardless of income, tend to be in the middle of the good credit score range. And income can serve as a compensating factor to help you get a lower rate or qualify for a larger loan.
Personal loan interest rates by income
Based on Credible closed loans data between April 2024 and March 2025. Source: Credible
But don’t be discouraged if you have poor credit. If you can’t qualify on your own, there are things you can do to increase your approval odds, such as improve your credit, apply with a cosigner, or apply with a joint applicant.
Compare multiple offers to find the right loan
While there might be fewer loan options for non-U.S. citizens, it’s still important to shop around and compare multiple lenders to find the right loan for you. In addition to residency requirements, be sure to consider interest rates, repayment terms, and any fees charged by the lender.
Comparing lenders is easy with Credible. You can see your prequalified rates in just two minutes — without affecting your credit. Note that when you formally apply for a loan, most lenders will conduct a hard credit pull, which could ding your score by up to 10 points for up to one year.
Also, prequalified rates are estimates, not offers of credit. The APR and terms of a loan offer may be different from your prequalification results.
Related: How to Get a Personal Loan Using Credible's Marketplace
FAQ
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