Personal loans for temporary residents

Can a temporary resident get a personal loan in Australia?

Yes, temporary residents of Australia can take out personal loans, though it may be more difficult to meet eligibility criteria. There are no laws or regulations stopping non-residents from receiving a loan and the decision lies with the lender. This will depend on the type of visa you hold and not all temporary residents will be eligible for specific lenders.

Since temporary residents are seen by lenders as more risky, you may have to meet stricter criteria regarding employment and income. It’s also possible that you may have to pay higher interest rates and have more limited loan options.

What should I consider when looking for a personal loan as a non-resident?

The key factors to consider are:

• Lenders may view you as a higher risk. Given your visa status, lenders may consider lending to you as more risky. There’s the possibility you may not be able to repay your loan before your visa expires. They will also take into account that your visa could be terminated at any given point, even if it’s unlikely. As a result, your interest rates may be higher than if you held a permanent visa.
• Loan terms are restricted. Your loan term will also be limited to the length of your visa, which may result in higher monthly repayments.
• Your overseas credit history doesn’t apply. This can be either good or bad news. On one hand, if you have a poor overseas credit history, it won’t count against you. On the other, your good credit history won’t be of any use either. You’ll be starting with a clean slate, and will have to build an Australian credit history from scratch.
• Some temporary visas may not be eligible. Temporary work visa holders have a better chance of getting a loan than other temporary visa holders. This is because they have employment, likely a permanent role, which reduces the lender’s risk. Other types of temporary visas, like working holiday and bridging visas won’t be eligible.

What’s the eligibility criteria for a temporary resident personal loan?

The eligibility criteria for temporary residents is stricter than permanent residents. While each lender will have their own requirements, these are the key factors most lenders will consider:

Age
You'll need to be over 18 to be legally able to borrow in Australia.

Eligible visa
Different lenders accept different visas, so be sure to check before you apply. Most lenders consider subclass 457 visas, while others may also accept business visas.

Employment
You'll generally need to be permanently employed and earn a regular income to show financial stability. Lenders may ask you for up to 3 years of employment history.

Income
The amount you earn will factor into your application. Be sure to show your income from your employment, as well as any passive income you earn.

Credit History
Lenders will not look at your overseas credit history, only your history with Australian financial institutions. Make sure you honour your debts, pay your bills on time, and regularly save.

Time in Australia
The more time you've spent in Australia, the better. How long you'll continue to spend is also important, as it will help lenders determine whether you'll be able to pay back the loan.

Eligibility criteria of major lenders

We’ve listed the eligibility criteria of a few lenders, including the Big Four Australian lenders. Keep in mind that even if you tick the boxes, lenders will consider your application on a case-by-case basis.

What kind of personal loans can I apply for as a temporary resident?

You can generally apply for a secured or unsecured personal loan. Your chance of getting a loan will increase if you opt for the secured option and offer collateral. You should also be able to apply for a car loan and a short-term or payday loan, as these lenders tend to have more open eligibility criteria. There are a many types of loans from many different lenders, so be sure to compare your personal loans to make sure you're getting the best deal.

What can I use a temporary resident personal loan for?

Personal loans are generally flexible when it comes to use, unless you apply for a car loan. With a car loan, you can only use the funds for the purchase of a car and related expenses. Here’s what you can use a temporary resident personal loan for:

• Cars. You could get either a car loan or a personal loan, which you can use to buy a car. A car loan may be cheaper as you can use the car as security.
• Education. If you’re at university and need a loan to cover your tuition fees or buy textbooks, you can apply for a personal loan.
• Work tools. Business owners can borrow to fund or rent the equipment, machinery, or electronics they need for their business.
• Appliances. TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers are some appliances you can buy with a personal loan.
• Emergencies. In case of emergency expenses, like car repairs or an unexpected medical bill, a personal loan can help you meet those urgent bills.

How can I improve my chance of approval as a temporary resident?

You can maximise your chance of approval by following a few simple steps, though approval is never guaranteed. In short, to increase your chance you’ll need to prove that you’re able to pay back the loan and that you’re a trustworthy borrower.

• One way to do this is by having permanent employment and receiving a regular income, along with the bank statements to prove this.
• Offering some security, like a vehicle or a term deposit, will also help. The asset will reduce the lender’s risk and increase your likelihood of receiving a loan.
• Building a good credit history by paying your bills on time and saving shows you are responsible with your money which can also go a long way to improving your odds.

How can I compare personal loans?

By comparing personal loans, you can find a loan that both suits your circumstances and your wallet. There are a few things to look out for while comparing personal loans.

• Interest rate. Comparing interest rates between lenders can tell you if your lender is offering you a competitive rate. Keep in mind that the rate advertised may not be the same rate you receive. This is because some lenders offer personalised or risk-based interest rates, tailored to your risk profile. The higher the risk, the higher the interest rate and vice versa.
• Comparison rate. The comparison rate includes the interest rate and other fees and charges that come with the loan, such as application and monthly fees. These fees will ultimately increase the cost of your loan. The comparison rate helps you understand the loan's total cost, but is only an indication.
• Loan terms. Most personal loan terms range from 1 to 7 years. For temporary residents, you should look at the length of your visa as an indicator of your loan term. Keep in mind that with short terms, your monthly repayments may be higher. Longer terms come with lower monthly repayments, as you’re able to spread the cost for longer. But you’ll also be paying more in interest.
• Repayment flexibility. Are you able to repay the loan early without penalty? Can you make additional repayments without being charged? Can you tailor your repayments according to when you get paid, that is weekly, fortnightly or monthly?
• Asset requirements. This usually applies to secured personal loans and car loans. Before you apply for the loan, you need to check if your asset meets the lender’s requirements. This can be the age of your car or how much you currently have in your term deposit.
• Eligibility and visa requirements. This may seem obvious, but looking into it can help you filter lenders. Some may refuse all types of temporary visas and may only accept a subclass 457 visa. Some lenders may also have requirements on the time left on your visa. Looking into their requirements can help you determine whether you can apply. You should also meet their income, employment and credit requirements.

What are the pros and cons of personal loans for temporary residents?

How can I apply for a temporary resident personal loan?

The personal loan application process is basically the same for a temporary resident. But before you apply you need to make sure the lender actually accepts applications from borrowers with your specific visa type.

1. Work out what kind of loan you need and how much you want to borrow. Use a personal loan repayment calculator to work out your repayments and see how much you can afford to borrow.
2. Start comparing loans and lenders. Look for loans with low interest rates and minimal fees.
3. Before you submit an application, check a lender's website carefully to see if you can get a loan with your visa type. You might find the information hidden in an FAQ section, or you might need to use the lender's chat support function to find more information. Most lenders won't approve loans for borrowers on student or working holiday visas, for example. But they might approve borrowers with specific skilled work visas.
4. Once you've found a suitable lender, apply for the loan. You'll need to provide some information to the lender, including personal ID, proof of employment, an Australian bank account and evidence of income and savings.
5. Wait for approval. It won't take long to get your application approved or rejected. A rejection can temporarily hurt your credit score. So before you rush to apply for another loan from a different lender, rethink your approach. Work out why you were rejected. You may need to borrow less, provide some kind of security for the loan or improve your credit score before applying again.

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Frequently asked questions

• Can I get a personal loan on a bridging visa?

  No. Most lenders require that you have a valid, temporary visa before applying for a personal loan. This does not include bridging visas, criminal justice or enforcement visas. Depending on the lender, you need to have either a permanent visa, a work visa, a temporary skilled visa, a skilled sponsored visa or a business visa.

  The good news is that your bridging visa is transitional. You will move on to another visa category, and while you wait, you can work towards improving your chance of getting a loan. This can include strengthening your credit score, improving your employment history, adding to your savings and proving to the lender that you’re an all round good borrower.

• Can I apply for a personal loan as an international student?

  If you’re looking for financial assistance as an international student on a student visa, you may have better luck speaking to your university rather than applying for a loan.

  Most lenders have strict eligibility criteria, and may consider you if you hold a skilled temporary working or business visa. However, both international students and permanent residents are unable to apply for government assistance through the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).

  You could speak to your university and find out what your options are.

  This can include scholarships and awards for international students. You could also apply for The Australian Awards, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and the Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships.

  Not all universities are alike. You may find that your university offers student and general purpose loans to permanent residents or full fee-paying onshore international students.

  There are also education loans offered by universities like University of Melbourne. It requires a guarantor and you will have to repay the loan before you complete your course.

  Depending on which country you’re from, there may be loans offered by your home country, which will allow you to study in Australia. Countries include Canada, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark, the UK and the US.

  You should start by making an appointment with your university’s student financial assistance officer.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Rebecca Pike

Senior writer

Rebecca Pike is Finder's senior writer for money. She joined Finder after almost four years writing for business publications in the mortgage and finance industry, including three years as editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She regularly appears as a money expert on programs like Sunrise and Today, as well as across radio and newspapers. She also holds ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products. See full bio

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