Personal Loans For Temporary Residents

Whether you’re planning on making your permanent residence here in Australia or you're just here to work for a few years, you still might find yourself in need of a personal loan. There are banks and lenders that will consider you for a loan even if you aren't a permanent resident. However, it's important to know what loans you're eligible for and how to find the right one for you before you submit your application.

Are temporary residents eligible for personal loans?

Yes, temporary residents are eligible for personal loans in Australia. However, it's likely you will have to meet additional criteria in order to be eligible. This may include a higher minimum income requirement. You will also need to be on a certain type of visa, according to the lender's requirements, and the term of your loan cannot exceed the time left on your visa.

Personal loans temporary residents may be able to apply for

There are a number of banks and lenders in Australia who consider applications for personal loans from people that have a temporary resident visa.

Compare temporary resident personal loan options

• Bank of Melbourne: Must be 18 years or older. Minimum of two years left on your visa when you apply.
• BankSA: Must be 18 years or older. Minimum of two years left on your visa when you apply.
• Westpac: Must be 18 years or older. Must hold one of the listed visas.
• Fair Go Finance: Must earn a minimum of $500 per week.

Personal loan eligibility criteria for temporary residents in Australia

So you can have all the tools at your disposal, these are the eligibility requirements for most Australian brands that offer personal loans to temporary residents. Keep in mind lenders will still consider applications on a case-by-case basis.

How does a personal loan for a temporary resident work?

Personal loans for temporary residents work in the exact same way as a personal loan for a permanent resident. The only thing that will be different is the eligibility criteria. For a temporary resident, such as an individual on a work visa, extra criteria need to be met in order to qualify.

Most lenders will need the details of your visa before you are approved to ensure that the terms of the personal loan do not exceed the amount of time left on your visa. You may also need to meet higher minimum income criteria or show extra credentials. One advantage of applying for a loan in Australia is that your overseas credit history is not a factor.

How to compare your personal loan options?

When comparing your options, be sure that you consider the following points:

• Interest rates. Interest rates can vary greatly between lenders. Make sure that you study this carefully and understand how much your monthly repayments will be as well as how much over the loan amount you will be paying in interest. A personal loan calculator can help you determine these numbers.
• Fees. Compare the fees between various lenders. Some may charge for processing the application while others could have a monthly charge.
• Eligibility requirements. Not all temporary visas are widely accepted. While a Temporary Work (skilled) Visa or Subclass 457 is considered by most banks, other types of visas may not be. Some banks will also require that you have a certain amount of time left on the visa. Investigate this thoroughly before filling out an application.
• Secured. In some instances, you can qualify for a secured personal loan. This is where an item of worth, such as a car, is used to guarantee the loan.

What are the benefits and drawbacks to consider?

What should you avoid with a temporary resident personal loan?

• Applying for more than you need. Only apply for the amount of money you need to make your purchase or fund a trip. You want to make sure that you are not paying interest for something you could have paid for out of pocket.
• Making too many applications. Compare your options first and only apply with one that you find meets your individual needs and offers you the best rates. If you apply for too many in a short space of time, your credit history can be negatively impacted.

How can you make sure you're approved?

There's no way to make sure you're approved for a personal loan, but a way to give yourself the best chance is to ensure you meet all of the minimum eligibility criteria. Minimum criteria for personal loans usually stipulates:

• Age. You'll need to be over the age of 18.
• Visa. Check if any specific Visa types are excluded from the lender's criteria, or if any other criteria are mentioned.
• Employment. You will generally need to be in permanent employment earning an income of $50,000 p.a.
• Financials. You will need an Australian bank account that is in good standing.

The right loan will depend on your needs and situation, so starting a comparison using the table above can help you narrow down your choices. You can click through to the review pages from the table above and once you've found a loan you're eligible for and that you want to apply for, click "Go to Site" to submit your application.