How Long Does a VA Loan Take to Close? The Real Timeline

Short answer: VA does not set a standard number of days for a VA loan to close. How long it takes depends on your lender, your paperwork, and the appraisal. A few federal timing rules apply to every VA purchase loan, though: your lender must send a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of your application, you must receive the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing, and in Clark County, Nevada, the VA appraiser has 6 business days to finish the appraisal.

Jennifer Rodriguez is a Realtor® and Military Relocation Professional (MRP®) in Northwest Las Vegas helping military families buy with a VA loan.

If you are working around PCS orders or house-hunting leave, timing is everything. You will see plenty of "VA loans close in X days" claims online. None of those numbers come from VA. Here is what the rules actually require, where the time usually goes, and how to keep your closing on schedule.

Does a VA loan take longer to close than a conventional loan?

Not by rule. The federal disclosure deadlines for a Loan Estimate and a Closing Disclosure apply to most mortgages, VA or not. The step a VA loan adds is the VA appraisal, which is ordered through VA and done by an appraiser on VA's fee panel. VA's Buyer's Guide says lenders should request the appraisal early in the loan process to avoid delays.

Most of the time difference people talk about comes from how quickly each step gets started, not from VA rules.

What timing rules apply to every VA purchase loan?

Three come from federal mortgage rules in 12 CFR 1026.19, and the CFPB explains them on its consumer pages:

• Loan Estimate. Your lender must deliver or mail it no later than the third business day after it receives your application.
• Seven business days. The Loan Estimate must be delivered or mailed no later than the seventh business day before closing.
• Closing Disclosure. You must receive it no later than three business days before closing.

The Closing Disclosure has a catch. Under 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(ii), a new three-business-day wait is required if the APR becomes inaccurate, the loan product changes, or a prepayment penalty is added. Changing your loan type in the last week can push your closing back.

How long does the VA appraisal take in Las Vegas?

VA's Appraisal Fees and Timeliness table, effective May 1, 2026, gives appraisers in Clark County 6 business days to complete a VA appraisal. The posted fee for a single-family home in Clark County is $750.

VA's fee schedule page explains that the clock starts the first business day after the assignment date, and weekends and federal holidays do not count. So 6 business days can easily mean more than a calendar week. VA also says fees and timeliness can change with market demand.

When the appraisal is done, VA's Buyer's Guide says you receive a Notice of Value (NOV). It shows the estimated value, comparable sales, photos, and any repairs needed to meet VA's minimum property requirements. Required repairs add time, because they usually need to be finished before closing.

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Eligibility?

VA's COE page lists three ways to request one: online, through your lender, or by mail with VA Form 26-1880. Your lender may be able to get it through VA's online system, called Web LGY. VA says mail requests may take longer than online or lender requests. VA does not post a number of days, so request your COE before you start touring homes.

Where does a VA closing usually slow down?

In the order a deal moves, these are the steps that can stretch the timeline:

1. Getting the file complete. Pay stubs, LES, bank statements, and your COE. Missing documents stall underwriting.
2. Ordering the appraisal. Every day before the order is placed is a day added to the end.
3. Repairs from the Notice of Value. Items needed to meet VA's minimum property requirements have to be handled.
4. A low appraisal. VA's Buyer's Guide lists options like a reconsideration of value, renegotiating the price, or paying the difference in cash. Each one takes time to work through.
5. The Closing Disclosure window. The 3 business days are fixed, and a late change can restart them.

What happens if the appraisal comes in low?

Every VA purchase contract must include the VA escape clause. VA's Buyer's Guide says it lets you out of the contract without losing your earnest money if the price is higher than the value VA sets. That protects you, but it also means a low value can pause the deal while you and the seller decide what to do. Building a little extra time into your contract helps.

How can a PCS family speed up a VA closing?

• Get pre-approved and request your COE before house-hunting leave starts.
• Have your documents scanned and ready to send the same day your lender asks.
• Ask your lender to order the VA appraisal as soon as you are under contract.
• Avoid changing your loan program or rate lock terms late in the process.
• Plan for signing if you will be out of state. Ask your lender and escrow early how documents will be signed.

Common mistakes that push back a VA closing

• Trusting an online day count. VA does not publish one. Your lender's timeline for your file is the one that matters.
• Waiting to request the COE. Mail requests can take longer than online or lender requests.
• Counting calendar days for the appraisal. The 6 days in Clark County are business days.
• Making changes in the final week. A new loan product or an inaccurate APR can restart the 3-business-day Closing Disclosure wait.
• Ignoring repairs on the Notice of Value. They need a plan and someone responsible for them.

For more on each step, these may help:

• VA loan pre-approval process: what you need and what happens next
• VA loan appraisal requirements: what gets checked, how long it takes, and what it costs
• VA certificate of eligibility: how to get your COE for a home loan

Sources

• 12 CFR 1026.19, Certain mortgage and variable-rate transactions (Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure timing), Legal Information Institute
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a Closing Disclosure? (last modified September 6, 2024)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a Loan Estimate? (last modified August 14, 2024)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Appraisal Fee Schedules and Timeliness Requirements, and the Appraisal Fees and Timeliness table (effective May 1, 2026)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, How to request a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (last updated September 22, 2026)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Home Loan Guaranty Buyer's Guide: VA Escape Clause, VA Appraisal, and At Closing sections

Frequently asked questions

How long does a VA loan take to close?

VA does not set a standard number of days. The timeline depends on your lender, your documents, and the appraisal, within federal rules like the 3-business-day Closing Disclosure wait.

How long does a VA appraisal take in Las Vegas?

VA's table effective May 1, 2026, gives appraisers in Clark County 6 business days, counted from the first business day after assignment. Weekends and federal holidays do not count.

When do I get my Closing Disclosure on a VA loan?

You must receive it at least 3 business days before closing. A new 3-business-day wait applies if the APR becomes inaccurate, the loan product changes, or a prepayment penalty is added.

How soon after applying do I get a Loan Estimate?

Your lender must deliver or mail it no later than the third business day after it receives your application.

Does a VA loan take longer than a conventional loan?

Not by rule. The disclosure deadlines are the same. The VA appraisal is the added step, so ordering it early helps keep the timeline on track.

How long does it take to get a VA Certificate of Eligibility?

VA does not post a number of days. It says mail requests may take longer than requesting online or through your lender.

Trying to line up a VA closing with your PCS dates? Let's make this simple. Send me your report date and I will help you map a realistic timeline. You can find me at homesbyjrod.com.

The information in this article comes from 12 CFR 1026.19, the CFPB, VA's appraisal fee and timeliness table, VA's COE page, and VA's Buyer's Guide, checked on October 22, 2026. Rules and appraisal timelines can change, so confirm your timeline with your lender. This is general education, not legal or financial advice.