Puerto Rico USDA Loans 2026
This guide explains USDA home loans in Puerto Rico for 2026 — where USDA financing is available on the island, the FY2026 income limits, loan requirements and fees, and how to check any address before you make an offer.
USDA-Eligible Areas in Puerto Rico
USDA’s Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program is for homes in eligible rural areas. In Puerto Rico, eligibility is mixed: USDA’s map shows central San Juan as ineligible, while some rural interior communities qualify. A test of Utuado (00641) returns “This address IS located in an eligible area”; San Juan (00901) returns “not located in an eligible area.”
| Area | USDA Map Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central San Juan | Not eligible | Metro core shaded ineligible |
| Utuado (rural interior) | Eligible (tested address) | Rural communities may qualify |
| Any other address | Check on USDA’s map | Eligibility is determined address by address |
Eligibility is determined address by address. Use the USDA property eligibility map at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov to verify any specific Puerto Rico property before proceeding.
USDA Income Limits in Puerto Rico (FY2026)
USDA’s FY2026 guaranteed-loan income limits are the same in every Puerto Rico area listed — the Caguas, Fajardo and San Juan-Guaynabo metro areas, the nonmetro area, and the Adjuntas, Lares-Utuado and Las Marías exception areas. Limits apply to the income of all adult household members.
| Household Size | Guaranteed Loan Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1–4 persons | $122,800 |
| 5–8 persons | $162,100 |
Add 8% of the four-person limit for each person above eight. Source: USDA HB-1-3555 Appendix 5, FY2026 (PN 657, 07-13-2026).
Puerto Rico USDA Loan Requirements Overview
| Requirement | USDA Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property location | Must be in a USDA-eligible rural area | Check the address on USDA’s map |
| Credit score | No USDA minimum | Lenders or investors may require one; GUS “Accept” needs no credit score validation |
| Income limit | $122,800 (1–4 persons) / $162,100 (5–8) | All adult household income counts |
| Down payment | 0% — up to 100% of appraised value plus the upfront fee | Seller contributions allowed up to 6% of sales price |
| Occupancy | Primary residence | Must occupy within 60 days of closing |
| Ratios | 29% PITI / 41% total debt | Flexible with compensating factors |
| Fees | 1.00% upfront guarantee fee, $25 technology fee, 0.35% annual fee | Per USDA Rural Development |
How to Apply for a Puerto Rico USDA Loan
- Verify property eligibility — Enter the address at USDA’s property eligibility map.
- Calculate household income — Include all adult household members, not just the borrowers.
- Check the income limit — $122,800 for 1–4 persons, $162,100 for 5–8 (FY2026).
- Find a USDA-approved lender — Ask whether the lender originates USDA guaranteed loans in Puerto Rico.
- Get pre-approved — The lender runs your file through USDA’s Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS).
- Make an offer and close — USDA issues its guarantee after the lender’s approval; allow time for USDA review.
