VA Loan Credit Score Requirements
The VA itself sets no minimum credit score — but every lender that funds VA loans does. Here’s the full breakdown by loan amount and situation, so you know exactly where you stand before you apply.
Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Amount
| Loan Amount | Minimum FICO | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1,000,000 | 580 | Standard VA purchase or cash-out refinance |
| Up to $1,500,000 | 680 | Higher amounts require stronger credit |
| Up to $2,000,000 | 700 | Additional lender review required |
| Up to $2,500,000 | 720 | Maximum 90% LTV applies |
In high-cost California markets like Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego — where home prices regularly exceed $800,000 — loan amounts above $1,000,000 are common. Veterans purchasing in those markets should target a 680+ FICO to access the full range of VA financing.
How Your Score Is Determined
Lenders pull a tri-merged report from all three bureaus. Your representative score is calculated as follows:
- Three valid scores: the middle score is used
- Two of three are duplicates: the duplicate score is used
- Two valid scores: the lower of the two is used
- Multiple borrowers: the lowest representative score among all borrowers applies to the entire loan
No Credit Score? There’s Still an Option
VA guidelines allow loans with no credit score using non-traditional credit — such as 24 months of on-time rent, utility, phone, or cable payments. These loans are limited to purchase transactions, maximum $1,000,000, and require manual underwriting with additional review.
Waiting Periods After Major Derogatory Events
| Event | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Chapter 7 Bankruptcy | 2 years from discharge date |
| Chapter 13 Bankruptcy | 12 months under repayment plan with trustee/judge approval |
| Foreclosure | 2 years from title transfer date |
| Short Sale / Deed-in-Lieu | 2 years from title transfer date |
| Multiple Bankruptcies (within 7 years) | 2 years from most recent |
Questions About Your Credit Profile?
At Lendia, we’ll review your full credit picture and tell you exactly where you stand. Get a free consultation today.
How scores are chosen: two illustrative cases
With three valid scores of 720, 700 and 680, the middle score of 700 is used. If two borrowers apply, one with a 740 and one with a 680, the 680 is the representative score for the entire loan. This is why adding a co-borrower with weaker credit can move you into a different tier, even when your own score is strong.
Steps to strengthen your credit before applying
- Pull all three reports and dispute clear errors. A corrected account can move a score noticeably.
- Lower revolving utilization. A $10,000 limit carrying a $3,000 balance is at 30% utilization; paying it to $1,000 brings it to 10%.
- Hold off on new credit. New accounts and hard inquiries can pull a score down at the wrong time.
- Keep every payment on time. Recent late payments carry more weight than old ones.
- Do not close old cards right before applying, since it can shrink your available credit.
Score is one piece of the file
Lenders weigh score alongside debt-to-income ratio, VA residual income, employment history and assets. A strong residual income can offset a higher DTI, and a modest score does not automatically rule out approval inside the tiers above. The IRRRL has its own credit guidelines, covered in our refinance guides.
Frequently asked questions
Will checking my credit with a loan officer lower my score?
A mortgage credit pull is a hard inquiry, but multiple mortgage inquiries within a short window are generally treated as one for scoring. We tell you when we plan to pull.
Do collections and charge-offs disqualify me?
Not automatically. The type, amount and age of the account matter, and underwriting may require an explanation or proof of payment. Send us your reports and we will tell you what to expect.
If my score is below the tier I need, can I still buy?
You may be able to adjust the plan by lowering the loan amount, adding a stronger co-borrower or taking time to raise the score. We map out the options for your file.