7 Options for Student Loan Refinancing for International Borrowers
To refinance international student loans you must build U.S. credit, get a co-signer or qualify for a niche loan.
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Refinancing international student loans is more difficult for visa holders working in the U.S. who don’t have a credit history. There are private lenders that will refinance student loans, but you’ll have to do one of the following:
Build your U.S. credit history.
Have an eligible co-signer.
Qualify for a niche loan for international working graduates.
Refinancing means a lender will pay off your existing student loans with a new single loan at a lower interest rate. It can help you save money immediately and over time.
Below you'll find lenders that refinance international borrowers, plus more information about the refinancing strategies available to noncitizens who have built U.S. credit history, have a U.S. co-signer or have graduated and are working in the U.S. These lenders will only refinance student loans that were originally borrowed with a co-signer from U.S.-based lenders or from niche lenders for international students studying in the U.S.
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Options for Student Loan Refinancing for International Borrowers
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MPOWER Student Loan Refinance Check rate on MPOWER's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website | 4.5 /5 | None | 11.74-12.95% | N/A | Check rate on MPOWER's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website |
 SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Check rate on SoFi's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website | 5.0 /5 | 650 | 5.24-9.99% | 6.24-9.99% | Check rate on SoFi's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website |
5.0 /5 | Does not disclose | 4.95-7.74% | N/A | ||
4.5 /5 | 690 | 4.40-7.25% | 4.99-8.79% | COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website | |
 Earnest Student Loan Refinance Check rate on Earnest's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website | 5.0 /5 | 650 | 5.09-9.74% | 5.89-9.74% | Check rate on Earnest's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website |
 Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance Check rate on Nelnet Bank's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website | 5.0 /5 | Mid to High 600s | 7.12-11.19% | 7.60-14.50% | Check rate on Nelnet Bank's website COMPARE RATES on Sparrow’s website |
3.5 /5 | Does not disclose | N/A | N/A |
Our pick for
Borrowers with no co-signer
MPOWER Student Loan Refinance
None
11.74-12.95%
N/A
MPOWER focuses on international student loan refinancing, specially for original lenders from India, the U.S. and the UK.
- DACA and international students can qualify.
- Can refinance an international student loan.
- You can refinance your parent's loan in your name.
- Borrowers incur a 2% origination fee on the refinanced amount.
- Only one loan term available.
- Few options for struggling borrowers.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Unavailable.
- Minimum income: None.
- Loan amounts: $2,001 to $100,00.
Our pick for
Borrowers with approved immigration status
SoFi Student Loan Refinancing
650
5.24-9.99%
6.24-9.99%
Non-permanent resident aliens (including DACA recipients and asylum seekers) must have valid documentation showing immigration status is current, including a valid E-2, E-3, H-1B, J-1, L-1, or O-1 Visa or a Form I-797A or I-797B. These documents must be accompanied by an approved Green Card application documented with an I-140 approval notice (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) or receipt or approval of an I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence). DACA borrowers must have valid Employment Authorization Document showing immigration status is current and must either have applied for DACA (I-821D) or Permanent Residency (I-485). Asylum borrowers must have valid Employment Authorization Document and must have applied for both Permanent Residency (I-485) and application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal (I-589).
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Dedicated Student Loan Debt Specialist available for borrowers.
- No co-signer release available.
- Loan size minimum is higher than most lenders.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.
- Loan amounts: $5,000, up to your total outstanding loan balance.
- Must have a degree: Yes, an associate degree or higher.
Advantage Education Loan Student Loan Refinance
Does not disclose
4.95-7.74%
N/A
Borrowers must provide proof of permanent residency card.
- You can refinance without a degree.
- Forbearance of 24 months is twice as long as most lenders.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Loans aren’t available in Alaska, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington D.C.
- You cannot postpone repayment if you re-enroll in school.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: Minimum $7,500. Maximum depends on creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio.
Our pick for
DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card
Brazos Student Loan Refinance
690
4.40-7.25%
4.99-8.79%
Borrowers must be a non-citizen with government issued, non-expired documentation of permanent resident status, if not applying with a U.S. citizen co-signer.
- Offers more repayment terms than many lenders.
- Offers greater-than-minimum payments via autopay.
- Only available to borrowers in Texas.
- Does not offer co-signer release.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 781 for primary borrower or 794 for co-signer (and 690 for primary borrower).
- Minimum income: $60,000 for co-signer or primary borrower, or $30,000 for primary borrower if applying with a co-signer.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 up to $150,000 for bachelors degree holders; $250,000 for graduate or professional degree holders.
Earnest Student Loan Refinance
650
5.09-9.74%
5.89-9.74%
Borrowers must possess a Permanent Resident Card (10-year non-conditional or 2-year conditional), be a DACA recipient, be an Asylee or hold an H-1B visa with a U.S. Citizen cosigner.
- Customizable payments and loan terms.
- Option to skip one payment every 12 months.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Loans aren't available in Nevada.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 760.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000.
- Must have a degree: No, but must be within six months of graduation and have income or a job.
Our pick for
Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer
Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance
Mid to High 600s
7.12-11.19%
7.60-14.50%
- International students can apply with a co-signer who is a qualified U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You can see if you'll qualify and what rate you'll get without a hard credit check.
- Does not discharge loans in cases of death or permanent disability.
- Doesn't allow biweekly payments via autopay.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 - $500,000. Maximum loan limits subject to limits on total student loan debt.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an undergraduate degree.
Our pick for
Credit union members
Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance
Does not disclose
N/A
N/A
Navy Federal members are eligible to apply regardless of immigration status.
- Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.
- Greater-than-minimum payments allowed via autopay.
- Available only to existing Navy Federal Credit Union customers
- Students cannot refinance a parent PLUS loan in their name.
- You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- $7,500 minimum to $125,000 for undergraduates, or $175,000 for graduate students.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an associate degree.
Ways to refinance international student loans
Building a U.S. credit history
U.S. credit bureaus don't take into consideration credit history from other countries, so you’ll have to start from scratch. But as you live and work in the U.S. you can grow your credit profile.
Start building U.S. credit history. If you attended college in the U.S. and have student loans in repayment with a U.S. lender, you may already have some credit built. You can find out an existing credit history for free from one of the three major credit reporting bureaus — TransUnion, Experian or Equifax.
If you don't have a history or you want to continue building credit, apply for a credit card. Typically, credit lenders will want you to have a permanent address, a taxpayer ID number, income and a bank account. You might have to start with a secured credit card, which requires a cash security deposit.
Once you have a line of credit established, make payments each month, on-time and in full. Over time, you can build enough credit history to get your loans approved for refinancing by private lenders. Refinancing lenders look for borrowers with credit in at least the high 600s, a history of on-time loan payments and an income that is high enough to pay off the debt.
Refinancing if you have a visa
Some lenders may allow you to refinance, even if you have a working visa, as long as you have a co-signer who can meet credit history, income and payment history qualifications. Your co-signer will have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, as well.
STUDENT LOAN REFINANCE RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 29 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing includes the top 10 lenders by market share and the top 10 lenders by online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets.
We consider 41 features and data points for each financial institution. Depending on the category, these include the availability of biweekly payments through autopay, minimum credit score and income requirement disclosures, availability to borrowers in all states, extended grace periods and in-house customer service.
The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.
Read more about our ratings methodologies for student loan refinance and our editorial guidelines.
Last updated on May 16, 2024
NerdWallet's Options for Student Loan Refinancing for International Borrowers
- MPOWER Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with no co-signer
- SoFi Student Loan Refinancing: Best for Borrowers with approved immigration status
- Advantage Education Loan Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with approved immigration status
- Brazos Student Loan Refinance: Best for DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card
- Earnest Student Loan Refinance: Best for DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card
- Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer
- Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance: Best for Credit union members
