MORTGAGES FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS
You do not necessarily need to be a British citizen to obtain a mortgage on a UK property.
However, lenders may consider factors such as where you live, your immigration or residency status, how long you have been in the UK, your income, deposit, credit history and the property you want to buy.
The mortgage options available to a non-UK citizen depend on the individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Potentially, yes. British citizenship is not a universal requirement for obtaining a UK mortgage. Lenders make decisions according to their own eligibility and underwriting criteria.
They may consider UK residence, immigration or residency status where relevant, time in the UK, income, employment, deposit or equity, credit circumstances, financial commitments, the property and its intended use.
NON-UK CITIZEN
↓
UK PROPERTY
↓
BORROWER CIRCUMSTANCES
↓
LENDER ELIGIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY ASSESSMENT
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MORTGAGE DECISION
Different lenders may reach different decisions because their criteria differ. Not every lender accepts every non-UK citizen’s circumstances.
The full borrower and property position needs assessment.
Nationality and residence are separate concepts. A British citizen can live overseas, while a non-British citizen can be a long-term UK resident.
NON-UK CITIZEN
Someone who does not hold British citizenship. They may nevertheless live and work in the UK.
UK RESIDENT FOREIGN NATIONAL
A non-UK citizen who currently lives in the UK.
OVERSEAS RESIDENT
Someone who currently lives outside the UK, regardless of nationality.
WHERE YOU LIVE AND YOUR NATIONALITY ARE NOT THE SAME THING FOR MORTGAGE PURPOSES.
Lenders may consider nationality, residence and immigration status differently.
An application involves the borrower, financial position and property. The weight given to each factor varies.
01
Residency
Where you currently live.
02
Immigration or residency status
Your legal basis for living in the UK where relevant.
03
Time in the UK
Your period of residence where this forms part of criteria.
04
Income
Earnings and other income considered by the lender.
05
Employment
Your employment status and circumstances.
06
Deposit
Capital available towards the purchase.
07
Credit history
Credit information available to the lender.
08
Existing commitments
Loans, credit and other obligations.
09
Property
The home or investment property being financed.
10
Mortgage amount
The amount you want to borrow.
11
Source of funds
Evidence of the origin of deposit or other capital.
12
Future circumstances
Relevant changes forming part of the application.
Each lender decides which factors it considers and how they affect eligibility. No single factor guarantees approval.
It can. A lender may consider the right or permission to live in the UK, together with its duration or nature, under its own lending policy.
01
STATUS
Your current immigration or residency position.
02
DURATION
How long your permission or status applies, where relevant.
03
UK HISTORY
Your period of residence and financial history in the UK.
04
LENDER POLICY
The lender’s particular eligibility requirements.
THERE IS NO SINGLE IMMIGRATION OR RESIDENCY RULE THAT APPLIES TO EVERY UK MORTGAGE LENDER.
MortgageAdvice.co.uk does not provide immigration advice. Obtain advice from an appropriately qualified immigration professional about any right to live or remain in the UK.
Not necessarily. Indefinite leave to remain is not a universal requirement across every mortgage application. Some lenders distinguish between permanent or indefinite status and time-limited permission.
PERMANENT / INDEFINITE STATUS
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LENDER CRITERIA
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WIDER BORROWER AND PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
TIME-LIMITED STATUS
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LENDER CRITERIA
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WIDER BORROWER AND PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
DO NOT ASSUME THAT HAVING OR NOT HAVING INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINES MORTGAGE ELIGIBILITY.
The effect on mortgage options depends on the lender and wider circumstances.
Potentially, depending on the lender, the type and circumstances of your permission to reside in the UK and the wider application. There is no universal list of accepted visa types.
RESIDENCE AND HISTORY
Current immigration status
Remaining duration where relevant
Time already spent in the UK
UK address and credit history
FINANCES AND PROPERTY
Employment and income
Deposit
Existing commitments
Property
Mortgage amount
Other borrower circumstances
DO NOT ASSUME THAT A PARTICULAR VISA TYPE IS ACCEPTED BY EVERY LENDER.
Criteria can change and should be checked for the individual application.
There is no single period across the whole mortgage market. A lender may consider UK residence, address and credit history, employment, banking information, status, deposit and wider circumstances.
ARRIVAL IN UK
↓
UK RESIDENCE
↓
FINANCIAL / CREDIT HISTORY DEVELOPS
↓
MORTGAGE APPLICATION
↓
LENDER ASSESSMENT
THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL MINIMUM PERIOD OF UK RESIDENCE THAT APPLIES TO EVERY LENDER AND EVERY BORROWER.
Someone who has recently moved to the UK may have a shorter UK credit history than a long-term resident. The information available can affect lender or product choice.
01
ADDRESS HISTORY
Information about where you have lived.
02
CREDIT INFORMATION
UK credit information available to the lender.
03
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
Relevant banking and financial information.
04
WIDER EVIDENCE
Additional evidence required under lender criteria.
A limited UK credit history does not automatically mean a mortgage is unavailable. Do not assume overseas credit information either transfers directly or is universally ignored.
Lenders decide what information they require and can use. You may have substantial financial history abroad but a relatively short UK credit footprint. Treatment varies by lender and circumstances.
DO NOT ASSUME THAT AN OVERSEAS CREDIT SCORE WILL TRANSFER DIRECTLY INTO THE UK MORTGAGE SYSTEM.
Ask what evidence can support your particular application.
Lenders need to establish affordability using income they are prepared to accept and the evidence supporting it.
01
UK employment
Employment and earnings in the UK.
02
Overseas income
Income arising outside the UK where relevant.
03
Foreign-currency income
Income received in a currency other than sterling.
04
Self-employment
Income from a business or self-employed activity.
05
Variable income
Bonus, commission or other variable earnings where considered.
06
Other income
Other income the lender is prepared to assess.
How income is evidenced and calculated varies between lenders.
Some non-UK citizens receive all or part of their income from outside the UK. Lenders may consider its source, currency, evidence, employment location, frequency, stability and exchange-rate considerations.
INCOME
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SOURCE AND CURRENCY
↓
EVIDENCE
↓
LENDER’S ASSESSMENT METHOD
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MORTGAGE AFFORDABILITY
THE STERLING VALUE OF FOREIGN-CURRENCY INCOME CAN CHANGE AS EXCHANGE RATES MOVE.
Income treatment varies; this is a conceptual sequence rather than an affordability formula.
There is no universal deposit percentage. Requirements depend on the lender, borrower, property and mortgage type. Relevant factors can include residency or immigration circumstances, UK residence history, credit, income and lender LTV criteria.
PROPERTY PURCHASE PRICE
− CASH DEPOSIT
= MORTGAGE REQUIRED
MORTGAGE AMOUNT ÷ PROPERTY VALUE × 100
= LOAN-TO-VALUE
A larger deposit reduces LTV for a given property value, but does not automatically guarantee eligibility. The lender’s valuation remains relevant.
Joint applicants may have different nationalities, residence positions or immigration circumstances. The lender assesses the joint application under its own criteria.
APPLICANT ONE
Nationality and residence circumstances
Income
Employment
Credit circumstances
Existing commitments
APPLICANT TWO
Nationality and residence circumstances
Income
Employment
Credit circumstances
Existing commitments
APPLICANTS + PROPERTY + DEPOSIT + MORTGAGE REQUIRED
↓
JOINT APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
HAVING ONE BRITISH APPLICANT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THE OTHER APPLICANT’S CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DISREGARDED.
Prepare the borrower information and purchase together, while keeping mortgage and immigration matters separate.
01
Establish your circumstances
Residence, immigration position, employment and income.
02
Review your finances
Deposit, income, expenditure and existing commitments.
03
Understand mortgage options
Investigate lenders that may consider your circumstances.
04
Find the property
Establish purchase price and property suitability.
05
Mortgage application
Provide the evidence requested by the lender.
06
Valuation, legal work and completion
Complete mortgage and conveyancing requirements.
BUYING A UK PROPERTY DOES NOT ITSELF GIVE SOMEONE THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN THE UK.
Property ownership and permission to live in the UK are separate. MortgageAdvice.co.uk does not provide immigration advice.
You can be both a first-time buyer and a non-UK citizen. Lenders assess the usual mortgage factors alongside additional eligibility requirements relevant to your circumstances.
FIRST-TIME BUYER CONSIDERATIONS
Deposit
Purchase price
Mortgage amount
Income and expenditure
Property
Buying costs
ADDITIONAL BORROWER CONSIDERATIONS
Residence
Immigration status where relevant
UK history
Credit information
Income source
Lender eligibility
Being a first-time buyer does not remove other eligibility and affordability requirements.
Being self-employed and a non-UK citizen do not automatically prevent an application. The lender needs to establish both eligibility and sustainable income.
01
RESIDENCE / STATUS
Borrower eligibility under lender criteria.
02
BUSINESS
Nature, location and structure of the business.
03
INCOME
Earnings available to the borrower.
04
EVIDENCE
Accounts, tax information or other documents where required.
Requirements can vary substantially according to the borrower, business structure and lender.
Potentially, subject to lender criteria. The rental property and applicant both need to meet the relevant requirements.
BORROWER
Residence
Immigration status where relevant
Income
Credit circumstances
Existing borrowing
Deposit
Source of funds
RENTAL PROPERTY
Purchase price or value
Expected rent
Mortgage amount
Property type
Proposed tenancy
Lender property criteria
BUY-TO-LET ELIGIBILITY FOR A FOREIGN NATIONAL DEPENDS ON THE PARTICULAR BORROWER, PROPERTY AND LENDER.
Nationality and overseas residence describe different circumstances, not interchangeable mortgage categories.
NON-UK CITIZEN
Describes nationality. A non-UK citizen may:
Live permanently in the UK
Work in the UK
Have substantial UK credit history
Buy a UK home
EXPAT / OVERSEAS RESIDENT
Primarily describes living outside the UK in this context. An expat may:
Be a British citizen
Live and work overseas
Retain UK property
Buy or remortgage UK property
A NON-UK CITIZEN LIVING IN THE UK AND A BRITISH CITIZEN LIVING ABROAD PRESENT DIFFERENT MORTGAGE CIRCUMSTANCES.
These are possible evidence categories, not a list every applicant must provide in full.
01
Identification
Evidence appropriate to the identity checks.
02
Evidence of UK address
Address information where relevant.
03
Immigration or residency documentation
Status evidence where required by the lender.
04
Employment evidence
Information supporting your employment position.
05
Income evidence
Records supporting earnings and other accepted income.
06
Bank statements
Financial records where requested.
07
Deposit evidence
Evidence of capital available for the purchase.
08
Source-of-funds evidence
Information about the origin of funds where required.
09
Property information
Details of the property and proposed transaction.
Exact requirements vary between lenders and applications. Additional evidence may be requested.
Deposits may come from UK or overseas sources. Lenders, solicitors and other regulated firms may need evidence about the origin of the money.
SAVINGS
PROPERTY OR ASSET SALES
GIFTS
INVESTMENTS
OVERSEAS ACCOUNT TRANSFERS
OTHER LEGITIMATE CAPITAL
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SOURCE-OF-FUNDS EVIDENCE
BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN AND EVIDENCE THE SOURCE OF FUNDS USED FOR A PROPERTY PURCHASE.
Requirements depend on the organisations involved and the circumstances. Ask what records are needed before transferring funds or committing to a purchase.
The figures show purchase funding only. They are not lender criteria or evidence of mortgage eligibility.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY — BORROWER
Non-UK citizen living and working in the UK
Illustrative property price: £350,000
ILLUSTRATIVE FUNDING
Illustrative deposit: £70,000
Illustrative mortgage requirement: £280,000
Illustrative loan-to-value: 80%
The lender would still assess residency and immigration circumstances where relevant, income, employment, credit, commitments, property and its other eligibility requirements.
£350,000 PURCHASE PRICE − £70,000 DEPOSIT
= £280,000 ILLUSTRATIVE MORTGAGE REQUIREMENT
£280,000 ÷ £350,000 × 100
= 80% ILLUSTRATIVE LOAN-TO-VALUE
THE FIGURES ILLUSTRATE THE FUNDING STRUCTURE ONLY. THEY DO NOT ESTABLISH MORTGAGE AFFORDABILITY, ELIGIBILITY OR APPROVAL.
A more complex application does not necessarily mean a mortgage is unavailable. Fewer lenders may be appropriate, or additional evidence may be needed.
01
Recently arrived in the UK
A shorter period of UK residence.
02
Limited UK credit history
Less information available for UK credit assessment.
03
Time-limited immigration status
Status duration where relevant to lender policy.
04
Overseas income
Earnings arising outside the UK.
05
Foreign-currency income
Income requiring lender-specific currency treatment.
06
Overseas financial commitments
Borrowing or obligations outside the UK.
07
Self-employment
Business and sustainable-income evidence.
08
Overseas deposit funds
Evidence and verification of international capital.
09
Complex documentation
Records needing supporting information or verification.
Explain the complete circumstances, including any overseas income, commitments or funds.
01
What is my current UK residency position?
02
What immigration or residency documentation do I hold?
03
How long have I lived in the UK?
04
How long have I been at my current address?
05
What UK credit history do I have?
06
Where is my income earned?
07
What currency am I paid in?
08
Am I employed or self-employed?
09
How much deposit do I have?
10
Where has my deposit come from?
11
How much do I need to borrow?
12
What existing financial commitments do I have?
13
Am I applying alone or jointly?
14
How will the property be used?
15
What documentation can I provide?
16
Have I explained my full circumstances to the mortgage adviser?
COMMON QUESTIONS
General answers to common questions about UK mortgages for foreign nationals and non-UK citizens.
Can a foreign national get a mortgage in the UK?
Can a non-UK citizen buy a house in the UK?
Do I need to be a British citizen to get a mortgage?
Do I need indefinite leave to remain to get a mortgage?
Can I get a mortgage without indefinite leave to remain?
Can I get a mortgage on a UK visa?
Does my visa type affect my mortgage options?
How long do I need to have lived in the UK to get a mortgage?
Can I get a mortgage if I have just moved to the UK?
Do I need a UK credit history to get a mortgage?
Does overseas credit history count in the UK?
Can I get a mortgage with foreign income?
Can I get a mortgage if I am paid in another currency?
How much deposit does a foreign national need?
Can a non-UK citizen be a first-time buyer?
Can I get a joint mortgage with a British citizen?
Can I get a mortgage if my partner is not a UK citizen?
Can a self-employed foreign national get a mortgage?
Can a foreign national get a buy-to-let mortgage?
Can I use savings held overseas for my deposit?
Can my family overseas gift me a deposit?
What documents does a foreign national need for a mortgage?
Does buying a house give me the right to live in the UK?
What is the difference between a foreign-national mortgage and an expat mortgage?
Understand UK mortgage considerations when you live and work overseas.
Read guide →
Understand how lenders may assess mortgage borrowing.
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Understand the relationship between your deposit, property value and mortgage.
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Understand mortgages for properties intended to be rented to tenants.
Read guide →
LOOKING FOR A UK MORTGAGE AS A NON-UK CITIZEN?
A mortgage adviser can consider your residency circumstances, income, employment, deposit, credit position, the property and the amount you want to borrow, and discuss mortgage options that may be available for your circumstances.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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