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Who is eligible for a VA Loan?

To be eligible for a VA Loan, you generally need to meet one of the following criteria:

  • Veterans: You must have served a minimum period of active duty and been honorably discharged.

  • Active Duty Service Members: You are eligible after a certain period of continuous active duty service, typically 90 consecutive days during wartime or 181 consecutive days during peacetime.

  • National Guard and Reserve Members: You need at least six years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard and have either been honorably discharged, placed on the retired list, transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after honorable service, or continue to serve in the Selected Reserve.

  • Surviving Spouses: The unremarried spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related disability may be eligible.

  • Certain Other Service Categories: Including certain U.S. citizens who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in World War II.

Each of these categories has specific service requirements that must be met. To confirm your eligibility, you'll need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA.

Eligibility for a VA Loan:

Wartime/Conflict Veterans:

Served at least 90 days and were NOT dishonorably discharged.
Service Periods include:

World War II: September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947
Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
Vietnam Era: August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq: Check with the Veterans Administration Office for specific dates.

Peacetime Service:

Served at least 181 days of continuous active duty without a dishonorable discharge.
Service Periods include:

  • July 26, 1947 to June 26, 1950
  • February 1, 1955 to August 4, 1964
  • May 8, 1975 to September 7, 1980 (Enlisted), or to October 16, 1981 (Officer)
  • Enlisted after September 7, 1980, or officer after October 16, 1981, must have completed 24 months of continuous active duty with an honorable discharge.

Reserves and National Guard:

  • Certain U.S. citizens who served in the Armed Forces of an allied government during WWII.
  • Surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who died as a result of service and has not remarried.
  • Spouse of an active-duty member listed as a POW or MIA for more than 90 days.

For full details and verification, please visit the Veterans Administration website.