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San Leandro sits in the heart of the East Bay — close to Oakland, BART, and major tech corridors. That location draws international buyers who want Bay Area access without San Francisco prices.
Foreign national loans make ownership possible here without a U.S. credit history or Social Security number. These are non-QM loans — they follow portfolio lender rules, not Fannie Mae guidelines.
25-30%
Min Down Payment
Not always
U.S. Credit Required
Non-QM / Portfolio
Loan Type
6-12 months
Reserves Needed
B-1, B-2, and more
Visa Types Accepted
Foreign National Loans in San Leandro
Most lenders want a valid passport and visa. Some accept buyers on B-1 or B-2 visitor visas — not just investor or work visas.
Down payments typically start at 25-30%. Lenders offset the added risk with more skin in the game. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect foreign national loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in San Leandro.
San Leandro sits in the heart of the East Bay — close to Oakland, BART, and major tech corridors. That location draws international buyers who want Bay Area access without San Francisco prices.
Foreign national loans make ownership possible here without a U.S. credit history or Social Security number. These are non-QM loans — they follow portfolio lender rules, not Fannie Mae guidelines.
Most lenders want a valid passport and visa. Some accept buyers on B-1 or B-2 visitor visas — not just investor or work visas.
Big retail banks rarely touch foreign national loans. Most won't even quote them. Portfolio lenders and wholesale channels are where these deals get done.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders — several specialize in foreign national programs. That gives us real options, not just one lender's take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Bankrate flagged rates climbing to 6.19% as of this week, driven by geopolitical uncertainty. For foreign national buyers, that matters — you're already in a higher-rate tier than U.S. citizens. Market swings hit harder here.
The strongest files I see have 6-12 months of reserves in a U.S. or foreign bank account. Lenders want proof you can carry the payment through market noise. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
ITIN loans are the closest alternative. If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and U.S. income history, ITIN programs often have better rates and lower down payments.
DSCR loans are another route — especially for investment properties. If the rental income covers the debt, some lenders care less about who the borrower is. Worth comparing if you're buying to rent.
San Leandro's proximity to Oakland International Airport is a real draw for buyers who split time between the U.S. and home countries. That lifestyle fits the foreign national borrower profile well.
Alameda County has a large immigrant and international community. That means more comfort with the process locally — but the loan program itself is governed by lender guidelines, not county rules.
Yes. Many lenders accept B-1 and B-2 visa holders. Program terms vary — some require longer remaining visa validity.
Not always. Many programs accept foreign bank statements for reserves and income documentation.
Yes. Investment properties are common for foreign national buyers. DSCR programs may also be worth comparing.
Expect 25-30% minimum. Some lenders require more depending on visa type and reserve strength.
Yes. Most foreign national programs accept foreign income. Lenders may require translated documents and CPA verification.
The county itself doesn't add complexity. The challenge is lender underwriting — having a broker with access to specialist lenders matters.