Puerto Rico VA Loan Requirements 2026
This guide covers Puerto Rico VA loan requirements for 2026 — eligibility, Fort Buchanan, VA loan benefits, entitlement and the $832,750 limit that applies with partial entitlement, the VA funding fee, and how VA financing pairs with AFV programs.
VA Loan Eligibility
| Service Category | Minimum Service Requirement |
|---|---|
| Current service members | 90 continuous days of active duty |
| Veterans | Depends on when you served — see VA’s service-period tables |
| National Guard | 90 days of non-training active-duty Title 10 service, or 6 creditable years (still serving, or discharged honorably / retired) |
| Selected Reserve | 90 days of non-training active duty, or 6 creditable years (still serving, or discharged honorably / retired) |
| Surviving spouse | Eligible for or receiving certain VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or spouse of a service member who is MIA or a POW |
Start with your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can request a COE online or ask your lender to request it for you. Full rules: VA home loan eligibility.
Military Installation in Puerto Rico
Fort Buchanan is the only federal military installation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
| Installation | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan | San Juan metropolitan area | Supports Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Navy Operational Support Center, plus veterans, retirees and families (home.army.mil) |
VA Loan Benefits in Puerto Rico
Fort Buchanan is listed above. VA loans are available throughout Puerto Rico to eligible borrowers.
- No down payment required — in most cases the VA guaranty lets you buy with no down payment
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — VA loans don’t require monthly mortgage insurance
- No VA county limit with full entitlement — your lender decides how much you qualify for; the loan can’t exceed the appraised value or price, whichever is lower
- Seller concessions capped at 4% of reasonable value — useful against Property Registry fees and other closing costs
Puerto Rico VA Loan Requirements Overview
| Requirement | VA Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | Required | Lender can request it for you |
| Credit score | No VA minimum | Lenders set their own, commonly 580–620 (lender overlay) |
| Down payment | 0% with full entitlement | With partial entitlement, VA uses the FHFA one-unit limit — $832,750 in every municipio |
| Loan size | Approved by your lender | Based on credit, income, debts and assets |
| Primary residence | Required | Owner-occupied only |
| Property value | VA appraisal required | Maximum loan is the lower of appraised value or price |
VA Funding Fee
| Down Payment | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.30% |
| 5% or more | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| 10% or more | 1.25% | 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.
Pairing VA with AFV Programs
Puerto Rico does not run a veteran-only home loan program, but veterans who qualify can use AFV assistance alongside a VA loan.
| Scenario | How It Works |
|---|---|
| VA + Pronto pa’ tu casa | Eligible low- and moderate-income buyers may use the grant toward reasonable closing costs, since VA already requires no down payment |
| VA + property tax exoneration | CRIM exempts the first $15,000 of assessed value of your principal residence |
Ask your lender whether a participating institution can combine VA financing with Pronto pa’ tu casa. Program details: afv.pr.gov.
