The VA loan program is available to active or retired military service members and their families. The military service eligibility guidelines for a VA loan are as follows:

  • If military service was during peacetime, you must have served at least 181 days, active duty.
  • If military service was during wartime, you must have served at least 90 days, active duty.
  • If military service was in the Reserves or National Guard, you must have served at least 6 years.
  • If you are a surviving spouse, you must be an unmarried spouse of a veteran who died while in service or from a service-connected disability, or you must be a spouse of a service member missing in action or a prisoner of war. Surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans whose disability may not have been the cause of death may also be eligible.

A few other things you should know about your eligibility for a VA loan are:

  • Qualification guidelines. The VA has specific rules for their loan product.
  • Property & Ownership Requirements. The home you are planning to purchase or refinance with a VA loan must be your primary residence.

Your VA loan advisor can answer additional questions about VA loan eligibility.