Buying process
Getting a VA loan after bankruptcy or foreclosure
Short answer
You can usually get a VA loan about two years after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, or after 12 months of on-time payments in a Chapter 13 plan with the trustee’s approval. After a foreclosure, lenders typically look for two years. These waits are shorter than for most conventional loans. A foreclosure on a prior VA loan can also reduce your available entitlement until VA’s loss is repaid.
Typical waiting periods
| Event | VA loan | Clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | About 2 years | Discharge date |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 12 months of on-time plan payments, with trustee approval | Plan payments |
| Foreclosure | About 2 years | Completion of the foreclosure |
| Bankruptcy and foreclosure together | About 2 years | The later of the discharge or the title transfer |
VA sets guidelines; lenders often add their own minimums, commonly a 620 credit score after bankruptcy.
What lenders want to see
- No late payments since the bankruptcy or foreclosure
- New credit accounts, such as a secured card, paid on time
- Stable income and employment
- A written explanation of what caused the hardship and why it is resolved
Foreclosure on a prior VA loan
If you lost a home that had a VA loan, VA may have paid a claim to the lender. Until that loss is repaid, the entitlement it used is not available, which lowers how much you can borrow with no down payment. Your COE shows what is left. How entitlement works in Cook County.
If you are behind now
If you still own the home and are behind on a VA loan, ask your servicer about the VA Partial Claim Program and loan modifications before a foreclosure. Options for homeowners behind on payments.
Common questions
How long after Chapter 7 can I get a VA loan?
Usually about two years after the discharge date, with clean credit since then.
Can I get a VA loan while in Chapter 13?
Yes. After 12 months of on-time plan payments and with your bankruptcy trustee’s approval.
Can I get a VA loan after a foreclosure?
Usually after about two years. If the foreclosed loan was a VA loan, some of your entitlement may be unavailable until VA’s loss is repaid.
Sources
What will your VA funding fee be?
Enter a price and down payment to see the 2026 fee, or check whether you are exempt.
An independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and not a lender. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.