The time it takes to get pre-approved for a mortgage varies widely depending on several factors, but generally ranges from a few minutes to a few weeks.

• Fast pre-approval: Some lenders can issue a basic pre-approval letter in as little as 3 to 15 minutes if you provide all necessary documents upfront and the lender can quickly verify your credit and income

• Typical timeframe: Many lenders take about 1 to 3 business days to process a pre-approval once all paperwork is submitted

• Longer cases: In more complex situations-such as self-employed borrowers, multiple income sources, or incomplete documentation-the process can take several days to a couple of weeks

• Documentation: The speed largely depends on how quickly you supply financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and how fast the lender can verify your employment and credit

• Pre-approval validity: Once granted, a pre-approval usually lasts 2 to 3 months, after which it may need to be renewed

In summary, if you have your documents ready and your financial situation is straightforward, you can often get pre-approved within the same day or a few days. More complex cases or delays in documentation can extend the timeline to a couple of weeks