Understanding Mortgage Options for Brazilian Immigrants

One of the most common things we hear from Brazilian families in Georgia and Florida is: "I didn't think I could buy a house here." Maybe you don't have a Social Security Number. Maybe your income is in cash or through your own business. Maybe you just arrived and have no US credit history.

Here's the good news: there is almost always a path. The US mortgage market has programs for nearly every immigration status and income situation — the challenge is that most banks only offer one or two of them. As a broker working with 50+ wholesale lenders, we see the whole menu. Let's walk through it.

If You Have a Social Security Number and Work Authorization

Permanent residents (green card holders) and visa holders with work authorization qualify for the same loans as US citizens — same rates, same down payments. Your best options:

• Conventional loans — as little as 3% down with a 620+ credit score.
• FHA loans — 3.5% down with a 580+ score, and more forgiving on credit history. A favorite for first-time buyers.
• VA loans — if you've served in the US military, zero down.
• USDA loans — zero down in eligible areas, and more of Georgia qualifies than you'd think.

The main thing lenders look for beyond status is two years of documented income (W-2s or tax returns) and a US credit score. If you're missing one of those, keep reading — you still have options.

If You Have an ITIN Instead of a Social Security Number

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the number the IRS issues so you can file taxes without an SSN. If you've been working and filing taxes with an ITIN, you can buy a home with an ITIN loan:

• Down payments starting around 15%
• No US credit score required — alternative credit like rent, utility, and phone payment history counts
• Income documented with tax returns or bank statements
• Available for your primary residence

ITIN rates run higher than conventional rates, but they build equity and a payment history — and many families refinance into a conventional loan later if their status changes.

If You Live in Brazil (or Don't Have US Status Yet)

Foreign National loans let non-US citizens buy property here with no SSN, no ITIN, and no US credit history:

• A valid passport (and visa, where applicable) is your identification
• Down payments typically start at 25%
• International credit references and foreign bank statements are accepted
• Works for second homes and investment properties — many of our clients in Brazil buy Florida rental properties this way

If You're Self-Employed or Paid in Cash

Many Brazilian entrepreneurs — cleaning businesses, construction, salons, trucking — write off expenses and show low income on tax returns. Traditional lenders see the low number and say no. Two programs fix this:

• Bank statement loans — qualify using 12–24 months of business or personal bank deposits instead of tax returns.
• DSCR loans (for investment properties) — qualify based on the property's rental income, with no personal income documentation at all.

What About Credit?

If you're new to the US, your Brazilian credit history doesn't follow you — but that's not a dead end. ITIN and Foreign National programs accept alternative credit, and if you're aiming for a conventional loan later, you can build a usable US credit score in 6–12 months. (We wrote a full guide: How to Build Credit in the United States.)

The Bottom Line

Immigration status changes which program you use — not whether you can own a home. The families who succeed are the ones who ask. Our team walks you through every option in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and because we broker to 50+ lenders, we're never limited to one bank's rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prepared by the Alvorada Mortgage, LLC team — a mortgage broker licensed in Georgia (#2137907) and Florida (#MBR5158). NMLS #2137907. Educational content; not a commitment to lend.