8 Options for Student Loan Refinancing for International Borrowers of February 2026
To refinance international student loans you must build U.S. credit, get a co-signer or qualify for a niche loan.
Below are lenders that refinance international borrowers, plus information about the refinancing strategies available to noncitizens. 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.
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- 17 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
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Why trust NerdWallet
- 17 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and consumer lending.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 41 categories and more than 50 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 editorial rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.0 /5 | 650 | 4.24-9.99% | 5.99-9.99% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.5 /5 | 665 | 4.45-9.99% | 5.88-9.99% | Check Rate on Earnest's website | |
4.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 5.73-10.29% | 6.01-11.29% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.0 /5 | 700 | 7.41-11.03% | 7.52-9.27% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
3.5 /5 | Mid to High 600s | 4.99-9.98% | 5.99-10.29% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
3.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 6.99-16.39% | 7.89-17.39% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
Best for faster repayment options and wide availability 5.0 /5 | 670 | 5.95-9.99% | N/A | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.0 /5 | 690 | 4.39-6.89% | 3.84-6.14% | Read Review on NerdWallet |
Our pick for
Borrowers with approved immigration status
- 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.
- 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.
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 a 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).
- 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.
- 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.
Borrowers must provide proof of permanent residency card.
Our pick for
DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Our pick for
Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 to $500,000.
- Must have a degree: No.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.
- Loyalty discount: Borrowers with a Citizens Bank account when they apply get an additional 0.25% interest rate discount.
- Estate is still responsible for loans refinanced by parents if the borrower dies.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 756.
- Minimum income: $30,000.
- Loan amounts: $7,500 to $200,000.
- You can refinance without a degree.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- You cannot refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.
- 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.
- 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.
Our pick for
Approved immigration status
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 to $75,000.
- Must have a degree: No.
- Interest rate discount for autopay is larger than most lenders offer.
- Borrowers can refinance without a degree.
- No flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers.
- You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Our pick for
Borrowers with a green card
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 to $75,000.
- Must have a degree: No.
- Interest rate discount for autopay is larger than most lenders offer.
- Borrowers can refinance without a degree.
- No flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers.
- You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Ways to refinance international student loans
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.
Refinancing for 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 build your U.S. credit history or secure an eligible co-signer.
Build 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.
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 see your existing credit history for free from one of the three major credit reporting bureaus — TransUnion, Experian or Equifax. Or get your free credit report from NerdWallet.
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.
» Learn more: how to build credit
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.
Refinance 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.
Last updated on January 12, 2026
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Lenders reviewed
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NerdWallet surveyed and reviewed 17 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing. We included 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. Some lenders are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selection of the winner.
We consider 41 features and more than 50 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 a wide range of borrowers in all states, extended grace periods and in-house customer service.
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NerdWallet's Options for Student Loan Refinancing for International Borrowers of February 2026
- SoFi® Student Loan Refinancing: Best for Borrowers with approved immigration status, Fixed APR: 4.24-9.99%
- Earnest Student Loan Refinance: Best for DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card, Fixed APR: 4.45-9.99%
- Citizens Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer, Fixed APR: 5.73-10.29%
- EDvestinU Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer, Fixed APR: 7.41-11.03%
- Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with a U.S. citizen co-signer, Fixed APR: 4.99-9.98%
- PNC Student Loan Refinance: Best for Approved immigration status + Borrowers with a green card, Fixed APR: 6.99-16.39%
- Advantage Education Loan Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with approved immigration status, Fixed APR: 5.95-9.99%
- Brazos Student Loan Refinance: Best for DACA borrowers and borrowers with a green card, Fixed APR: 4.39-6.89%