DACA
DACA borrowers (EAD Category C33) face a highly program- and lender-specific eligibility landscape. Eligibility ranges from explicit approval with documentation conditions to outright exclusion depending on loan type and lender overlay.
Eligibility by Program Type
FHA
- JMAC Lending — FHA Standard and High Balance: "DACA recipients (EAD Category C33) — No longer eligible effective on case on or after May 25, 2025." Non-permanent residents holding a valid EAD card also became ineligible under the same effective date.
VA
- Forward Lending: "DACA: Category C33 work status under deferred action, DACA borrowers allowed with proper documentation. EAD must be current; if expiring within 1 year, evidence of history of renewals. Income source must be stable with two (2) year work history."
- AD Mortgage: VA overlays restrict eligibility to U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens with proof of lawful permanent residence. DACA borrowers are not explicitly named as eligible.
Conventional / Conforming
| Lender | Program | DACA Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Capital | DU Conforming / Agency | YES — EAD C33 with documentation |
| Mega Capital | Simple MVP (Non-QM) | YES — follow non-permanent resident alien requirements |
| Mega Capital | MVP Matrix | YES — "DACA applicant is allowed. Follow the FNMA guideline." |
| Mega Capital | Platinum Jumbo / Platinum Jumbo Express | NO — explicitly ineligible |
| Forward Lending | Freddie Mac Conforming | NO — "DACA: With Category C33 work status under deferred action, DACA borrowers are ineligible." |
| AmWest | Freddie Mac Super Conforming | NO — "DACA status borrowers (as indicated by EAD Code C33) are not eligible." |
| New Wave Lending | Prime Jumbo | YES — EAD category C33 (DACA) listed as eligible |
| AD Mortgage | AUS Jumbo | NO — "Non-Permanent Resident Alien (Including DACA)" listed as ineligible |
-
Mega Capital — DU Conforming (Fannie Mae): DACA borrowers are eligible with the following conditions :
- Current EAD card — Category C33 required
- If EAD expires within one year: documentation of one prior EAD renewal OR USCIS confirmation of likelihood of renewal
- A current (unexpired) EAD issued by USCIS may be provided in lieu of a Visa
- All standard income, credit, and asset requirements apply equally
-
Mega Capital — MVP / Simple MVP Non-QM: "DACAs borrowers are eligible and if they meet non-permanent resident alien requirements." Requirements: minimum 2-year U.S. residency and employment history, 2-year U.S. credit history, current/unexpired EAD (or extension evidence if within 6 months of expiration); may be reduced to 1 year with AUS Approve/Ineligible finding.
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New Wave Lending — Prime Jumbo: Non-permanent resident "must be legally reside in the U.S. with an acceptable visa (E, G, H, I, L, N, O, P, R, T, TN, U, V) or EAD category C33 (DACA)" 2-year work history and USCIS I-94 and/or EAD card required.
Non-QM / Alternative Documentation
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Greenbox — ITIN / Full Alt-Doc: Eligible borrowers include "ITIN, Non-Permanent Resident Alien (DACA/Asylum ONLY)."
- Max LTV: 85% Purchase / 75% Refinance in CT, FL, IL, NY, NJ; standard matrix elsewhere
- Minimum FICO: 640
-
Greenbox — Elite DSCR: "Non-Permanent Resident (including Asylum/DACA): Max 75% LTV"
-
Greenbox — CES (Closed End Second): "Non-Permanent Resident Alien (including DACA/Asylum) — Max CLTV: 80%, Max LAMT: $500,000, Doc Type: Full Doc or Bank Statement ONLY"
-
Greenbox — Super Jumbo (Full/Alt-Doc): Ineligible — "Ineligible Borrowers: Non-Permanent Resident Alien (including DACA/Asylum)"
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JMAC Lending — Newport DSCR: EAD code "C33 — DACA" is listed as an acceptable classification.
-
Nations Direct Mortgage — NonQM: EAD code C33 explicitly listed under Ineligible Borrowers (Section 2.4).
USDA
- Mega Capital — USDA: DACA borrowers are not explicitly addressed. The eligible visa/EAD list (E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, O-1, L-1, etc.) does not reference EAD C33 or DACA status. DACA borrowers are likely ineligible based on these restrictions.
EAD C33 Documentation Requirements (When Eligible)
Consistently required across lenders where DACA is permitted:
- Current, unexpired EAD card with Category C33 designation
- If EAD expires within 6 months to 1 year of closing (threshold varies by lender): evidence of prior renewal or pending renewal application filed with USCIS
- 2-year U.S. employment history (most lenders)
- 2-year U.S. residency history (several lenders)
- Valid U.S. Social Security Number — required universally
- All standard income, credit, and asset qualifying criteria apply equally
Program Eligibility Quick Reference
| Program | Lender | DACA Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| FHA Standard / High Balance | JMAC Lending | NO — cases on/after 5/25/2025 |
| VA | Forward Lending | YES — C33 EAD + 2-yr work history |
| VA | AD Mortgage | NO (not named as eligible) |
| Fannie Mae DU Conforming | Mega Capital | YES — EAD C33 + renewal docs |
| Freddie Mac Conforming | Forward Lending | NO — explicit overlay exclusion |
| Freddie Mac Super Conforming | AmWest | NO — explicit exclusion |
| Prime Jumbo | New Wave Lending | YES — EAD C33 + 2-yr history |
| Platinum Jumbo | Mega Capital | NO — explicit exclusion |
| AUS Jumbo | AD Mortgage | NO — explicit exclusion |
| Non-QM Full/Alt-Doc (ITIN) | Greenbox | YES — max 85% LTV; min 640 FICO |
| Elite DSCR | Greenbox | YES — max 75% LTV |
| Newport DSCR | JMAC Lending | YES — C33 listed as acceptable |
| CES (Closed End Second) | Greenbox | YES — max 80% CLTV; $500k LAMT |
| Super Jumbo | Greenbox | NO — explicit exclusion |
| NonQM | Nations Direct | NO — C33 explicitly ineligible |
| USDA | Mega Capital | Likely NO |
Note: Viable paths for DACA borrowers include Fannie Mae conforming at Mega Capital, VA at Forward Lending, and select Non-QM/DSCR products (Greenbox, JMAC Newport DSCR). Freddie Mac conforming, most Jumbo products, FHA post-May 2025, and Nations Direct NonQM are closed to DACA borrowers under current guidelines.
