Alternatives to Bank of America International Mortgages [2026 Guide]
International mortgages are loans for people buying property in a different country to the one they live in. If you’re a US resident you might want an international mortgage to buy a vacation home, or because you plan to relocate.
Maybe you’re living abroad for work or study at present and need a loan to buy a property in the US. In both cases an international mortgage might fit the bill.
Not all banks provide international mortgages, and where they are available, strict eligibility criteria can apply. This guide walks through Bank of America’s international home loan provisions, and some alternatives.
Plus we’ll touch on Wise as a powerful partner for paying mortgage costs from overseas.
Does Bank of America offer international mortgages?
❌ No. Bank of America does not market any international mortgages for people buying a property in a country other than the US.
What about international mortgages for new arrivals to the US? While Bank of America does offer banking services for people relocating to the US for work or study, home loans are not highlighted as part of the package available.
💡 In this guide, we’ll look at how international mortgages generally work – and cover some Bank of America alternatives you might consider if you need an overseas home loan.
💡 Alternatives to BofA international mortgages
Bank of America probably can’t help you with international mortgages.
However, there are a few other major banks in the US which have international mortgage services, either for US residents buying overseas, or for people living abroad looking to get a loan on a US property.
➡️ Here’s a quick summary of a few providers to consider if you need an alternative to Bank of America:
HSBC
HSBC US has dedicated services for foreigners and new arrivals in the US to apply for mortgages, and also offers mortgages for non-residents through HSBC International.
HSBC US can take your foreign credit history into account when applying for a loan for a property in the US, while HSBC International has loans for properties in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, China, India and the UAE.
📚 Learn more on our guide: HSBC International Mortgages ⬅️
Chase (international relocation service)
Chase US offers specific services for people moving to the US for work, who need to buy a US property.
You may be able to get this mortgage before you relocate, to ensure you have a place ready for your move to the US.
Chase has dedicated home loan support and can use a foreign credit history to allow your application to proceed smoothly, as well as offering various incentives and other products for foreigners moving to the US for their career.
Citi Group (Citigold and Private Bank)
CitiGold and Citi Private Bank are Citi Group’s solutions for investors and high net worth individuals.
CitiGold requires you to hold eligible deposits and investments of 200,000 USD or more, while to qualify for Private Bank services you’ll need 5 million to 10 million USD in qualifying investments.
Both of these services offer mortgages which may have preferential rates and which could be used for overseas properties, depending on the situation.
📚 Learn more on our guide: Citibank International Mortgages ⬅️
Understanding international mortgages
An international mortgage is any home loan or mortgage intended to buy a property in a country other than the one you reside in.
This might be relevant for you:
- If you need to relocate for work
- If you want to buy a rental investment property
- If you’re looking for an overseas vacation home
- If you need accomodation family member studying overseas
🏡 Standard US mortgages are usually only available on properties within the US. Buying a place abroad can be considered more risky by banks, and as such some banks simply restrict this service, and focus on the US market only.
💡 Where banks do offer international mortgages the eligibility, downpayment, interest and fees can be quite different to applying for a local US mortgage.
You’ll usually find you need a significant downpayment of 20% or more, and you’ll be subject to stringent checks on your credit and loan affordability.
⚠️ Interest rates may also be higher for international loans compared to local ones – this is to protect banks against a perceived higher risk of default on international properties.
Eligibility requirements for international mortgages 📂
Different banks set their own requirements for international mortgages – but you can expect them to be fairly strict.
⚠️ Banks will usually only offer international mortgages to people with a very good credit history and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
💰 You’ll also normally need at least 20% downpayment, or you might have to get private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Some banks limit the customers they offer international mortgages to on the basis of your eligible deposits and investments. This means you need to be an existing customer of the specific bank with a significant amount of money saved or invested with them to even be considered for a loan.
Once you’ve checked you’re eligible to apply for a loan you’ll need to put together a suite of supporting documents which can include:
- Your passport and proof of address
- Proof of income and assets
- Employment information
- Details about your outgoings to check affordability
- A strong credit history which can sometimes be from your home country
Property types covered 🏡
Banks may restrict the types of property eligible for an international mortgage, based on the type, location and value of the home.
The bank’s mortgage advisor or underwriter will decide based on an assessment of the risk of offering a loan, after receiving your application.
Countries for international mortgages 🌍
Banks which offer international mortgages often have a large global footprint and therefore can offer loans in any country where they already do business. Other criteria may also apply, depending on the individual bank.
➡️ Not all banks specify which countries they offer home loans for.
However, to give an example, HSBC International can help with loans for properties in the United Kingdom, Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
There are also United States mortgages which can be used by new arrivals and foreigners, taking an overseas credit history into account to check for loan suitability.
How to apply for an international mortgage
The process to apply for an international mortgage will vary a little depending on which bank you choose. However, the outline steps tend to be quite similar:
➡️ Step 1: Check eligibility
As there are often very strict eligibility rules about applying for an international mortgage in the US, it’s worth making sure the product is suitable before you start your application.
Banks have mortgage advisors who can help you decide which product is a good fit if you need extra advice.
➡️ Step 2: Gather your supporting documents
International mortgages need a suite of supporting documents which can include your personal ID, proof of address, and a significant amount of paperwork about your financial situation.
If documents are not in English you’ll normally have to get them translated – so start this process in good time to avoid rushing once you’ve found a perfect property to buy.
➡️ Step 3: Confirm the application process with the bank
Many banks require you to talk through your application in person and so will ask you to set an appointment to attend a branch in person. Check what’s needed based on your preferred bank.
➡️ Step 4: Submit your application and await approval
Your bank may ask you to get pre-approval for a loan before you secure a home, or you might be applying once you’ve already had an offer accepted.
In either case you’ll need to hand over all our paperwork and await the bank’s underwriter’s approval.
Once you’re good to go, you can proceed to closing on your new home.
Fees and costs involved 💰
Don’t assume the costs of an international mortgage will be the same as getting a domestic home loan.
Different fees can apply depending on the bank, and you may face some added complexity when dealing with foreign documents and a foreign currency for payments. Here are a few costs to look out for:
- Valuation and inspection fees: Banks will need to check the property you’re buying is in a good condition and being sold at fair market value – the cost of inspection may be passed directly to you or added to your mortgage
- Loan application fees: Some specialist mortgages can have high application fees to secure your interest rate while your application is being assessed
- Legal, administrative and translation costs: Legal costs apply on all home purchases, but they can be higher with overseas properties, and may also include translation fees
- Closing costs: Variable closing costs are likely to apply depending on the country you’re buying in
- Private Mortgage Insurance: May be required as a condition of your mortgage if you have a relatively low downpayment
- Interest: Interest rates are often higher for unusual mortgage types, although some banks do have preferential rates for high value customers
- Early repayment fees: Before overpaying or closing your loan check if fees will be due
- Additional taxes: Taxes may not be paid to the bank – but government costs when buying an overseas home can be significant in some jurisdictions
- Currency conversion costs: Conversion costs can mount up, adding 3% – 5% to the total you pay if you’re finding your downpayment, miscellaneous costs or loan repayments in a foreign currency.
Sending large amounts of money overseas? Check out Wise.
🌍 Are you sending money overseas to buy your new home or service your international mortgage? 💰
Check out Wise as a smart way to cut down conversion costs and make secure, speedy transfers to 140+ countries.
- Send money in 40+ currencies to 140+ countries, often quickly or even instantly
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- Large transfers have a dedicated customer support team – and there’s 24/7 customer support in English through the Wise app – to make sure your payment is hassle free
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Wise is a regulated provider which offers services in many countries and territories globally – services and fees can vary depending on your residence, so do check the Wise website for your local area to get all the most important details.
Learn more on Wise transfer fee discounts here.
📌📚 Learn more on this guide: How to send large amounts of money internationally with Wise 🌍
Conclusion: Can you get an international mortgage with Bank of America?
No. You can not usually use a Bank of America loan for buying an overseas property. However, there are some other major banks in the US which may be handy if you’re looking for a loan for a property in a country other than the one you live in.
Check out HSBC as a global giant which has loan services for many countries around the world, Chase for US properties when relocating from a different country, or Citi Group if you’re interested in personal banking services.
Useful resources
Information last checked on 10th of February, 2026.
- HSBC US – HSBC mortgage services for foreigners and new arrivals in the US
- HSBC International – HSBC global mortgages for US non-residents
- Chase US – Dedicated Chase mortgage options for people moving to the US for work
- CitiGold – Citi mortgage solutions for high net worth individuals
- Citi Private Bank – Citi Private Bank loan and mortgage solutions
- Bank of American home loans – Mortgage calculator (US only)
