Do You Need a U.S. Credit Score to Get a Mortgage?

Ask around, and you’ll hear it over and over: "you need a U.S. credit score to get a mortgage."

For many foreign investors, that single belief stops the conversation before it starts. As a result, some pay all cash, others abandon their plans to invest altogether.

The truth? You can qualify for a U.S. mortgage without a U.S. credit score. It just requires a different approach and a lender who understands how to work with international buyers.

Let’s examine why this misconception exists in the first place and debunk the myth altogether. This article demystifies the "mandatory" credit score, explains why traditional lenders often deny applications, and introduces a workaround explicitly designed for global investors.

Key takeaways

• Traditional lenders require a U.S. credit score to get a mortgage, but it's not a deal-breaker if you're a foreign national with certain loans.
  
  
• DSCR loans qualify you based on the income potential of your rental property, not your personal U.S. credit or income.
  
  
• Waltz offers a streamlined, end-to-end experience: DSCR loans, LLC setup, and U.S. banking—all with no U.S. credit required.

What does it mean to be credit invisible in the U.S.?

In the U.S., having no credit doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong, it usually just means you haven’t had the opportunity to build a credit file. 

This is what’s known as being credit invisible. It applies to people who haven’t had enough recent credit activity to generate a credit score with major U.S. credit bureaus. Foreign nationals, even those with excellent credit in their home country, often fall into this category. After all, how would you have U.S. credit if you’ve never lived in the U.S.?

You might have strong assets, a healthy income abroad, and a track record of financial responsibility. But without U.S.-based credit cards, loans, or payment history, automated systems simply don’t know how to assess you.

No credit vs. poor credit

It's important to understand the difference. Having no credit means there’s too little data to generate a score. Having poor credit means there is data, just not the kind lenders want to see.

Being credit invisible is often easier to work around than having a low score. Unfortunately, many lenders treat both scenarios the same. That’s where things start to break down for global investors.

Reasons why traditional lenders say "no" to foreign nationals

Even if you're financially stable and ready to invest, most traditional lenders in the U.S. aren’t built to serve international buyers. They rely on systems and underwriting processes that assume every borrower has U.S.-based credit and income.

For foreign nationals, that creates a mismatch. You might have the funds, the property, and the plan—but without a U.S. financial footprint, the system often shuts the door before the conversation even starts.

The automated system’s blind spot

Most lenders use automated underwriting software to make mortgage decisions. These systems depend heavily on data from U.S. credit bureaus, U.S. income documentation, and tax returns. If the system can’t find what it’s looking for, it assumes you’re too risky to lend to, even if that’s not the case.

Manual underwriting: a time-consuming alternative

Some lenders offer manual underwriting as a workaround for borrowers with no credit. This route is slow and often requires more documentation than most international investors can reasonably provide. In the end, it still favors applicants with U.S.-based records.

Mortgage types with credit requirements

Most primary residence loan programs, like conventional, FHA, or VA loans—have minimum credit score thresholds. Even when manual underwriting is possible, the process tends to be designed around domestic borrowers with established credit files.

The DSCR loan: your U.S. mortgage "cheat code"

For foreign investors, DSCR loans create opportunities that don’t rely on your U.S. credit score. Instead of asking for your credit score or proof of U.S. income, these loans focus on one thing: the property's cash flow.

DSCR stands for debt-service-coverage-ratio. It measures how well the rental income from a property can cover the mortgage payment. If the rent exceeds the monthly debt obligations, you may qualify, no U.S. credit score required.

How DSCR loans bypass U.S. credit

Let’s say your property generates $2,000 in monthly rental income. Your total monthly mortgage cost: including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, is $1,500. That gives you a DSCR of 1.33. Since lenders typically look for a DSCR greater than 1, you’re in solid territory.

This formula is simple, and it’s powerful. It allows foreign nationals to access U.S. mortgage financing based on the strength of the investment, not their credit history in a system they haven’t lived in.

Learn more: DSCR Loans: The Foreign National’s Guide to U.S. Real Estate

Foreign investor advantages

DSCR loans are especially useful for global investors. Here’s why:

• No U.S. credit score required
• No U.S. income verification needed
• Less documentation than traditional loans
• Designed for rental property investing
• Faster, simpler approvals based on the property, not you

Learn more: How to Use a DSCR Loan for a Rental Property

Foreign-friendly lender meets DSCR loan provider

While DSCR loans open the door, the real advantage comes from working with a lender who understands what foreign investors actually need. That’s where Waltz comes in–we’re more than a lender. We built an end-to-end platform built specifically for global buyers looking to invest in U.S. real estate. You can do so from abroad without U.S. credit, income, or paperwork headaches.

The Waltz Investor Kit: everything you need, seamlessly bundled

As part of the DSCR loan requirements, you’ll need to do some additional legwork to operate in the United States. With Waltz, that setup doesn’t require lawyers or weeks of back-and-forth. We’ve created an Investor Kit  to streamline the process for you within minutes. This add-on includes:

• An LLC formed in minutes, complete with EIN and operating agreement.
• A U.S. bank account through Regent Bank with foreign exchange capabilities and FDIC insurance².
• One year of registered agent services and mail scanning.

It’s all built into the same platform where you apply for financing—no juggling vendors, no paperwork piles.

A digital, transparent, and supportive process

Whether you're buying your first property or scaling your portfolio, Waltz makes the process fast, clear, and remote whenever possible. From online ID verification to digital document signing, you can complete everything from anywhere in the world.

More importantly, you’re never left guessing. The Waltz team walks you through each step, explains what’s needed and why, and makes sure nothing gets lost in translation.

No U.S. credit? Don’t let that stop you from investing in real estate

For too long, foreign investors have heard the same message: no U.S. credit, no mortgage. But that’s only true if you’re using the wrong tools.

DSCR loans offer a smarter path—qualifying you based on the income potential of your property, not your personal U.S. financial history. And with the right setup, they’re not just accessible. They’re efficient.

That’s where having the right infrastructure matters. A U.S. entity, a bank account with foreign exchange capabilities, and a lender who knows how to work with international buyers all make a difference. Waltz brings those pieces together with one unified platform, so you can invest with clarity instead of compromise.

You don’t need to change your credit history to invest in the U.S. You just need a better starting point.

Start your investment journey with Waltz today

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