Independent mortgage brokers for foreign nationals & new arrivals

Getting a UK mortgage as a foreign national: what you need to know

Getting a UK mortgage as a foreign national or recent arrival is entirely possible — but the pool of willing lenders is smaller than for settled UK residents, and the documentation requirements are more demanding. The most important step is using a whole-of-market broker who regularly places mortgages for overseas nationals, rather than approaching high-street banks directly.

Lenders will assess your visa type and remaining leave to remain, UK employment contract, length of UK residency, and the size of your deposit. Applicants on Skilled Worker visas with at least 2–3 years remaining and a confirmed UK employment contract are generally eligible with several lenders. Those without a UK credit file will need to present additional documentation and may need a larger deposit.

Most expat mortgage applications require a minimum 10–15% deposit, though this varies significantly by lender. The larger your deposit, the wider the range of rates and lenders available to you. Getting a Mortgage in Principle before you begin property hunting costs nothing, does not affect your credit score, and gives you a clear budget to work within.

The full mortgage process from application to completion typically takes 8–12 weeks. Factor this into your timeline — particularly if you are hoping to move quickly in a competitive market.