Yes, immigrants can get a UK mortgage — but your visa type, length of UK residency, and credit history all affect your options. Some lenders will not consider you at all; others have specialist products designed for foreign nationals. Knowing which lenders to approach saves months of rejected applications.
Can you get a mortgage on a work visa?
You do not need to be a UK citizen or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to get a mortgage. However, lenders generally want to see at least 2 years remaining on your visa at the time of application, a minimum of 1–2 years of UK employment and credit history, and a deposit of at least 10–25% (foreign nationals often need a higher deposit than UK citizens).
Mortgage eligibility by visa type
- Skilled Worker visa: most mainstream lenders will consider you after 1–2 years of UK residence
- ILR / Settled Status: treated the same as a UK citizen by most lenders
- Student visa: very difficult — few lenders will consider you, and usually only with a large deposit
- Family / Spouse visa: possible, but depends heavily on the lender and your income
- Graduate route visa: some lenders will consider this, others will not — get a broker
How much deposit do you need?
Most lenders require at least 10–15% deposit for immigrants on work visas, compared to 5% for UK citizens using the standard residential mortgage. Some specialist lenders will work with 10%, but a 20–25% deposit significantly increases your options and reduces your interest rate. On a £300,000 property, a 20% deposit means £60,000 upfront.
Lenders that commonly consider immigrants
- HSBC: known for being immigrant-friendly, especially if you bank with them internationally
- NatWest / RBS: consider Skilled Worker visa holders with 2+ years UK residency
- Barclays: specialist international mortgage team for high earners
- Halifax: mainstream lender that considers many visa types
- Habito: online mortgage broker that specialises in complex cases including foreign nationals
- Molo Finance: digital lender that explicitly caters to foreign nationals and visa holders
The importance of a mortgage broker
Using a whole-of-market mortgage broker (rather than going directly to a bank) is strongly recommended for immigrants. Brokers know which lenders will consider your specific visa type and can present your application in the best way. Look for brokers who specifically mention experience with foreign nationals — Habito, SPF Private Clients, and Enness Global are examples.
What documents will you need?
- Passport and visa / BRP or eVisa Share Code
- Last 3 months payslips and P60 (or 2–3 years accounts if self-employed)
- Last 3 months bank statements
- Proof of address (utility bill or council tax letter)
- Evidence of deposit funds (savings statements showing source of funds)
- Your credit report (from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion)
💡 Tip
Before applying, check your credit report and dispute any errors. A single missed payment or wrong address can cost you a mortgage offer. Allow 3–6 months to clean up your credit file before applying.
Help to Buy and shared ownership schemes
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme has ended. However, Shared Ownership (buying a 25–75% share of a property and paying rent on the rest) is available to immigrants with the right to reside in the UK. This can significantly reduce the deposit required. Properties are available through housing associations — search at sharedownership.gov.uk.
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