Service requirements
| Who | Minimum service (general rule) |
|---|---|
| Active duty | 90 continuous days |
| Veterans — wartime service | 90 days of active duty |
| Veterans — peacetime service | 181 days of active duty |
| Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980 (officers after Oct. 16, 1981) | Generally 24 continuous months, or the full period called to active duty (with at least 90 days wartime / 181 days peacetime) |
| National Guard & Reserve | 6 creditable years, or 90 days of active-duty service (including at least 30 consecutive days under certain orders) |
| Surviving spouses | See FAQ below |
Exceptions exist for service-connected disability discharges and other circumstances. Your COE is the final word.
Beyond eligibility: qualifying for the loan
Eligibility gets you entitlement; the lender still reviews credit, income, debts and VA residual income, and the home must meet VA Minimum Property Requirements and be your primary residence.
Eligibility FAQ
How do I get my Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
Most lenders can pull your COE online through VA in minutes. You can also request it yourself on VA.gov.
Can I get a VA loan with an other-than-honorable discharge?
Possibly. VA can make a character-of-discharge determination. A dishonorable discharge is generally disqualifying.
Are surviving spouses eligible?
Surviving spouses of service members who died in service or from a service-connected disability, and who have not remarried (or remarried after age 57 on or after Dec. 16, 2003), are generally eligible, as are spouses of certain POW/MIA service members.
