Utah VA Loan Requirements 2026
This guide to Utah VA loan requirements covers benefits for Utah veterans and active-duty service members — no down payment, no PMI, competitive rates, and how VA financing pairs with Utah Housing Corporation assistance programs.
VA Loan Eligibility
VA loans are available to veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses who meet service requirements. Eligibility is established through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which can be obtained through any VA-approved lender.
| Service Category | Minimum Service Requirement |
|---|---|
| Active duty (wartime) | 90 continuous days |
| Active duty (peacetime) | 181 continuous days |
| National Guard / Reserves | 6 years service, or 90 days active duty under Title 10 |
| Surviving spouse | Spouse of veteran who died in service or from service-connected disability (did not remarry before age 57) |
Utah National Guard members qualify. Utah Army and Air National Guard members who have completed 6 years of satisfactory service, or have been activated under federal Title 10 orders for at least 90 days, are eligible for VA loan benefits. Active duty personnel stationed at Hill Air Force Base qualify immediately upon meeting the active duty service requirement.
VA Loan Benefits in Utah
In Utah’s higher-cost counties like Summit, Wasatch, and Salt Lake, VA loan benefits are especially powerful — the ability to finance 100% of the purchase price with no down payment and no ongoing mortgage insurance is a significant advantage.
- No down payment required — Finance 100% of the purchase price with full entitlement, regardless of purchase price.
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — Unlike conventional loans under 20% down, VA loans never require PMI, saving hundreds per month.
- No loan limit with full entitlement — Since 2020, veterans with full VA entitlement (no existing VA loans) can borrow any amount a lender approves — there is no VA-imposed ceiling.
- Competitive interest rates — VA rates are typically 0.25%–0.50% lower than conventional rates.
- Assumable loan — VA loans can be assumed by a qualified buyer when you sell, which can be valuable if your rate is below market.
- Seller can pay closing costs — VA allows the seller to pay all of the buyer’s closing costs and up to 4% in additional concessions.
Utah VA Loan Requirements Overview
| Requirement | VA Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | Required | Lender can obtain on your behalf in most cases |
| Credit score | No VA minimum; lenders typically require 580–620 | Many Utah lenders require 620+ |
| Debt-to-income ratio | VA guideline: 41%; lenders may approve higher | Residual income also evaluated |
| Primary residence | Required — VA is for owner-occupied only | Must occupy within 60 days of closing |
| Property condition | Must meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) | Fixer-uppers, some condos may not qualify |
| VA appraisal | Required — separate from inspection | VA appraiser assigned by VA regional office |
VA Funding Fee
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the Department of Veterans Affairs at closing. It replaces private mortgage insurance and helps fund the VA loan program. It can be financed into the loan amount.
| Down Payment | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0% (no down payment) | 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 Utah Housing Down Payment Assistance
Utah does not have a state-run veteran-only home loan program, but eligible veterans can combine a VA loan with Utah Housing Corporation’s FHA/VA Mortgage program and Down Payment Assistance (DPA) second mortgage to help cover closing costs — even though VA loans already require no down payment.
| Feature | Standalone VA Loan | VA + Utah Housing DPA |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | 0% with full entitlement | 0% |
| Closing cost help | Seller/lender credits only | DPA second mortgage can cover closing costs |
| Min credit score | Lender overlay, typically 580–620 | 620 (Utah Housing FHA/VA Mortgage program) |
| Loan limit | No limit with full entitlement | Subject to county FHA/conforming limit if using DPA structure |
Ask your lender whether combining VA financing with Utah Housing’s DPA makes sense for your situation — it can be useful for veterans who want to preserve cash reserves even without needing a down payment.
