Published , 3 minute read
Quick answer: You may qualify for a VA home loan if you're a veteran, active-duty service member, member of the National Guard or Reserves, or an eligible surviving spouse who meets VA's minimum service requirements. For most people serving today, that means at least 90 continuous days on active duty, or six creditable years in the Guard or Selected Reserve (or 90 days of qualifying active-duty service). Your discharge must generally be other than dishonorable. You'll also need to meet a lender's credit, income, and occupancy requirements.
Two parts of qualifying
Qualifying for a VA loan has two separate parts:
- Benefit eligibility — Did you meet VA's service requirements? This is proven with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Loan approval — Do you meet the lender's credit, income, and debt requirements, and will you live in the home?
Many veterans assume they don't qualify because of something they heard. The only way to know is to check.
Minimum service requirements (most common situations)
Your status | Typical minimum service |
|---|---|
Currently on active duty | 90 continuous days of active service |
Veteran who served from Aug. 2, 1990 to present (Gulf War era) | Generally 24 continuous months, or the full period you were called to active duty (at least 90 days); shorter service may qualify if you were discharged for a service-connected disability or certain other reasons |
National Guard | At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service, or 6 creditable years in the Guard (still serving, honorably discharged, or retired) |
Selected Reserve | At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service, or 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve (still serving, honorably discharged, or retired) |
Surviving spouse | Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the service member's death or disability and your marital status |
Requirements differ for earlier service periods. VA's eligibility page lists every era and exception.
Can National Guard members and Reservists get a VA loan?
Yes. Guard and Reserve members can earn eligibility through six creditable years of service, or sooner through qualifying activations of at least 90 days of non-training active duty. Many Guard members who deployed already have eligibility and don't realize it.
Can a surviving spouse get a VA loan?
Often, yes. Surviving spouses may qualify if the service member died in service or from a service-connected disability, among other situations, and the spouse generally has not remarried (with some exceptions based on age at remarriage). Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are also exempt from the VA funding fee.
Discharge requirements
Your discharge generally must be under conditions other than dishonorable. If you have an other-than-honorable or uncharacterized discharge, VA may make a character-of-discharge determination, and you may still be eligible. Don't rule yourself out — ask.
How to get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Through your lender — the fastest way for most borrowers. Lenders can often pull your COE online in minutes.
- Online at VA.gov
- By mail using VA Form 26-1880
What you may need: your DD-214 (veterans), a statement of service signed by your commander (active duty or current Guard/Reserve), or retirement points and discharge records (Guard/Reserve veterans).
Occupancy requirement
VA loans are for homes you'll live in. You generally must move in within a reasonable time after closing, typically 60 days. If you're deployed, a spouse can satisfy occupancy in many cases.
FAQ
How long do you have to serve to qualify for a VA loan? For active duty today, 90 continuous days. For Gulf War era veterans, generally 24 continuous months or the full period called to active duty, with exceptions.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer? No. VA loans aren't limited to first-time buyers, and you can use the benefit more than once.
Does my VA benefit expire? No. VA home loan eligibility doesn't expire.
Can my spouse use my VA loan without me? Generally, the eligible veteran or service member must be on the loan, except for eligible surviving spouses.
Not sure if you qualify? Call or text Mike Tanas at 214-604-5245
This article is general education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Guidelines change and vary by lender. Talk with Mike about your own situation.