Visa holder and foreign national mortgages

A foreign national on a UK visa can get a mortgage. Settled or pre-settled status and indefinite leave to remain give the widest choice, while time-limited work or family visas narrow it without ruling it out. Lenders weigh the time left on your visa, your UK residence history, your income and deposit. The newer your arrival, the smaller the lender pool, but specialist options exist.

What lenders focus on

Two things drive most decisions: your immigration status and your UK track record. Indefinite leave to remain or settled status puts you close to a UK resident in lenders' eyes. On a time-limited visa, lenders look at how long is left and how established you are here, your time living and working in the UK, your income and your credit history. More of each widens your choice and improves the rate.

What helps your application

Matching matters most here

Lenders' rules on visa type, time remaining and residence history vary widely, so the same applicant can be declined by one and accepted by another. A broker who handles foreign-national cases knows which lenders accept your visa and circumstances. We introduce you to a regulated broker who can advise.

Common questions

Can a foreign national on a visa get a UK mortgage?

Yes. Many lenders consider applicants on a work or family visa, and some are more flexible than others. Settled or pre-settled status and indefinite leave to remain open up the widest choice; time-limited visas narrow it but do not rule it out.

Does the time left on my visa matter?

It often does. Lenders like to see a reasonable period remaining, and some set a minimum, while others focus more on your UK residence history and income. More time left, and a longer track record in the UK, generally widen your options.

Do I need a deposit or UK credit history?

A deposit is always needed, and some lenders ask for a larger one from newer arrivals. A UK credit history and time spent living and working here help a lot. If you have only recently arrived, the lender pool is smaller but specialist options exist.

Which visas are accepted?

It varies by lender. Common work and family visas, and settled or pre-settled status, are widely considered. The key is matching your specific visa and circumstances to a lender that accepts them, which is where a broker is valuable.

Living abroad rather than in the UK? See expat mortgages.

AP

Adam Parker

Founder, MortgageExplained, MortgageExplained

Adam spent nearly a decade as a mortgage adviser at Just Mortgages, with further experience in commercial finance. He is CeMAP and CF qualified. He built MortgageExplained to do one thing well: explain mortgages in plain English, then introduce you to a regulated broker when you are ready. Every page is written and reviewed by Adam.

Last reviewed: 29 June 2026

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