Virginia VA Loan Requirements 2026
How to use your VA loan benefit in Virginia — eligibility, entitlement, funding fees near Naval Station Norfolk, Langley AFB, Quantico, and beyond.
Virginia is arguably the most VA-loan-intensive state in the nation. Naval Station Norfolk, Langley AFB, Quantico, and other installations give full-entitlement veterans the ability to buy homes with no down payment, even in Northern Virginia’s $800,000-$1.2 million price range.
VA Loans in Virginia
Virginia is arguably the most VA-loan-intensive state in the nation. Naval Station Norfolk — the world’s largest naval station — anchors Hampton Roads. Langley AFB, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Fort Gregg-Adams, and numerous other installations create a veteran and active-duty population second to none. VA loans are truly woven into the fabric of Virginia’s housing market.
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
- 90 consecutive days of active duty during wartime
- 181 days of active duty during peacetime
- 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves
- Surviving spouse of a service member who died in service or from a service-connected disability
| Service Category | Minimum Service Requirement |
|---|---|
| Wartime Active Duty | 90 consecutive days |
| Peacetime Active Duty | 181 days |
| National Guard or Reserves | 6 years |
| Surviving Spouse | Service member died in service or from a service-connected disability |
Virginia VA Loan Limits for 2026
Veterans with full VA entitlement have no loan limit in Virginia — meaning no down payment is required regardless of purchase price. This is enormously valuable in Northern Virginia’s high-cost market, where buyers routinely purchase homes at $800,000–$1.2 million without any down payment using their VA benefit. Veterans with reduced entitlement have limits tied to the conforming loan limit: $1,249,125 for Northern Virginia, $832,750 for most other Virginia counties.
VA Funding Fee in Virginia
| Usage | Down Payment | Funding Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First Use | Less than 5% | 2.15% |
| First Use | 5% to 9.99% | 1.50% |
| First Use | 10% or more | 1.25% |
| Subsequent Use | Less than 5% | 3.30% |
| Subsequent Use | 5% to 9.99% | 1.50% |
| Subsequent Use | 10% or more | 1.25% |
Veterans with VA disability ratings, surviving spouses receiving DIC, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients are exempt from the funding fee. Cash-out refinance funding fees are 2.15% for first use and 3.30% for subsequent use; IRRRLs carry a 0.5% fee. Confirm current rates at the VA’s official funding fee page.
Key Benefits of VA Loans in Virginia
- No down payment for full entitlement veterans — including on NoVA’s million-dollar homes
- No PMI — saving $400–$900/month on high-balance Virginia loans
- Competitive rates — consistently lower than conventional equivalents
- Seller can pay all closing costs
Pairing a VA Loan with Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance
Because VA loans already require 0% down, Virginia Housing’s Down Payment Assistance Grant (2–2.5% of purchase price, a true grant with no repayment) is typically used by VA borrowers to cover closing costs and prepaid items rather than a down payment. Virginia Housing’s Plus Second Mortgage (up to 3.5% deferred) and the MCC program (up to $2,000/year federal tax credit) are also available through VHDA-approved lenders.
| Feature | Standalone VA Loan | VA + Virginia Housing DPA Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | 0% with full entitlement | 0% |
| Closing cost help | Seller/lender credits only | DPA Grant (2–2.5% of purchase price) can cover closing costs and prepaid items |
| Min credit score | Lender overlay, typically 580–620 | 620 (Virginia Housing DPA Grant minimum) |
| Structure | N/A | True grant — no repayment, no second lien |
Ask your lender whether combining VA financing with Virginia Housing’s DPA Grant makes sense for your situation. Confirm current terms at virginiahousing.com.
Check with your lender on stacking rules. Not all VA-approved lenders participate in Virginia Housing programs — confirm eligibility for both before making an offer.
