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Conventional loans · Fannie Mae B2-2-01, B2-2-02Mortgages for non-U.S. citizens: what Fannie Mae requires

Fannie Mae purchases and securitizes mortgages made to non-U.S. citizens who are lawful permanent or non-permanent residents of the United States under the same terms available to U.S. citizens (Selling Guide B2-2-02). It does not list the exact documents: the lender decides, case by case, which documents show the borrower is legally present, and by delivering the loan it represents that the borrower is. Separately, every borrower must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), in addition to meeting the legal residency and documentation requirements (B2-2-01). So an ITIN can serve as the tax ID, but it does not replace lawful presence for a Fannie Mae loan. Lenders must also verify identity under federal rules and resolve any Social Security number problems, if needed with the Social Security Administration.

Fannie Mae's rules

  1. Same terms

    Lawful permanent and non-permanent residents get the same terms as U.S. citizens (B2-2-02).

  2. Documents

    The lender chooses the documents that show legal presence and warrants it to Fannie Mae.

  3. Tax ID

    Each borrower needs a valid SSN or ITIN – in addition to legal residency (B2-2-01).

  4. Identity

    Identity verified before the loan, aligned with OFAC and USA PATRIOT Act obligations.

What the TC can do

  • Put the buyer in touch with the lender early – residency documents take time.
  • Keep immigration documents out of the TC's inbox; the buyer sends them to the lender.
  • Offer the buyer status updates and messages in Spanish if that is their language.

Common misunderstandings

  • "ITIN loans" offered by some lenders are usually outside Fannie Mae's program – different terms and pricing.
  • Legal presence is decided by the lender's document review, not by Fannie Mae's list.

Questions buyers ask

Can a green card holder get a conventional mortgage?

Yes. Fannie Mae buys loans to lawful permanent residents under the same terms as U.S. citizens (Selling Guide B2-2-02).

Can I get a Fannie Mae loan with an ITIN?

An ITIN satisfies the tax ID requirement, but the borrower must also meet the legal residency and documentation requirements (B2-2-01).

What documents prove legal residency for a mortgage?

Fannie Mae does not specify them; the lender decides based on the borrower's circumstances and represents to Fannie Mae that the borrower is legally present.

Related guides

ClosingCode gives every buyer a status page and messages in English or Spanish – they always know what is next, in the language they read.

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Sources: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B2-2-01 (09/03/2025) and B2-2-02 (07/28/2015), selling-guide.fanniemae.com, read October 25, 2026.

General information about Fannie Mae conventional loans, not legal, immigration or financial advice. FHA, VA, USDA and portfolio lenders have their own rules. ClosingCode is software; it is not a lender or law firm. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.