Table of Content
Are you a foreign national wondering if you can get a mortgage to buy a property in the UK? The good news is that most mainstream and specialist lenders will consider applications from non-UK citizens.
That said, lender criteria can vary significantly depending on how long you’ve lived in the UK, the type of visa you hold, your deposit, and your overall financial profile.
This guide explains what to expect, what lenders look for, and how to improve your chances of approval. If you’d like tailored support, Strive specialises in helping foreign nationals secure mortgages in the UK. Learn more about our foreign national mortgage options or read our guide to getting a mortgage as a non-UK national to understand your next steps.
Can you get a mortgage as a non-UK citizen?
Yes — it is possible to get a mortgage as a non-UK citizen. Many UK lenders are open to foreign nationals, though their criteria can vary depending on your background, visa status, and financial situation.
When assessing your application, lenders look at a range of factors to determine stability, affordability, and long-term eligibility. These include:
- Country of origin – some lenders offer more lenient criteria for EU citizens.
- Visa type – the category of visa you hold can impact which lenders will consider your application.
- Visa duration – lenders often prefer applicants with a minimum period remaining on their visa.
- Deposit size – a larger deposit can reduce risk and improve your mortgage options.
- Income and employment status – stable, UK-based income is viewed more favourably.
- Time lived in the UK – the longer your residency, the stronger your financial track record and credit profile.
- Buying with a British citizen or permanent resident – can make certain lenders more flexible.
Working with an experienced mortgage broker who understands foreign national applications — like Strive — can make a significant difference in matching you with the right lender for your circumstances.
How does Citizenship impact your mortgage options?
Your citizenship itself isn’t a barrier to getting a mortgage, but it can affect how lenders view risk.
The main factors that vary between citizens and non-citizens include:
- Residency expectations: Some lenders prefer applicants who’ve lived in the UK for one to three years.
- Visa type and length: Certain visas are viewed more favourably than others.
- Deposit requirements: Non-UK citizens may need to contribute a higher deposit.
- Additional documentation: You might be asked for extra proof of identity or income.
In short, it’s about demonstrating stability and transparency — the stronger your overall profile, the more options you’ll have.
Minimum UK residency requirements for a mortgage
When applying for a mortgage as a foreign national, how long you’ve lived in the UK can have a big impact on which lenders will consider your application. Some are happy to lend to newcomers with no minimum residency period, while others require up to three years of proven residence.
Here’s a summary of typical minimum UK residency requirements by lender:
| Minimum UK Residency Required | Lenders |
|---|---|
| 0 months (no minimum residency) | Halifax, Harpenden Building Society, TSB, MPowered Mortgages, HSBC, Skipton Building Society, Market Harborough Building Society, Accord Mortgages, Santander, NatWest, Together |
| 3 months | Hodge, Pty, Barclays, Stafford Building Society, Family Building Society |
| 6 months | Swansea Building Society |
| 12 months | Gen H, Aldermore, Vida Homeloans, West One Loans, Bluestone Mortgages |
| 24 months | Principality Building Society, Kensington Mortgages, Leeds Building Society |
| 36 months | Bank of Ireland, Chorley Building Society, Furness Building Society, West Brom Building Society, Bespoke BOI, The Mortgage Lender, The Co-operative for Intermediaries, Nationwide Building Society, Atom Bank, Clydesdale Bank, Virgin Money, Metro Bank, Precise Mortgages, Pepper Money, Norton Home Loans, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, Coventry Building Society, Kent Reliance |
Even if a lender technically has no minimum residency rule, your UK credit profile can still influence the outcome. It usually takes around six months of financial activity — such as holding a UK bank account, using a credit card responsibly, or paying bills in your name — to start building a UK credit score. Without this, some lenders may struggle to assess your creditworthiness, even if you meet their other criteria.
Visa type and length
Your Visa type and how long remains on it
Your visa type — and how much time remains on it — plays a major role in your mortgage eligibility. Lenders use this to assess long-term stability and the likelihood that you’ll continue living and working in the UK.
Commonly accepted visas include:
- Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2)
- Spouse or Partner visa
- Ancestry visa
- EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Applicants with Indefinite Leave to Remain are generally treated the same as UK citizens, with full access to standard lending criteria and deposit options.
Those with EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status often benefit from enhanced flexibility too. Because these statuses offer longer-term rights to live and work in the UK, lenders tend to view them as more stable than other temporary visa types.
Applicants on temporary or time-limited visas may face slightly stricter requirements, such as needing a larger deposit or a minimum amount of time left before visa expiry. If your visa is approaching renewal, it’s best to apply early or work with a specialist broker who understands which lenders are open to your situation.
Minimum time remaining on your visa
When applying for a mortgage without Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), lenders will look closely at how much time is left on your visa. Some are comfortable lending with no minimum requirement, while others insist on several months — or even years — remaining before approving an application.
The table below shows which lenders are generally the most flexible, and which apply stricter minimum visa duration rules.
| Minimum Time Remaining on Visa | Lenders |
|---|---|
| No Minimum Requirement | West Brom Building Society, Gen H, Vida Homeloans, Norton Home Loans, Accord Mortgages, Metro Bank, Bank of Ireland, Saffron for Intermediaries, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, Barclays, Nottingham Building Society, Halifax, MPowered Mortgages, Precise Mortgages, Santander |
| 3 Months | Newcastle for Intermediaries |
| 6 Months | The Mortgage Lender, Gatehouse Bank, NatWest |
| 9 Months | Clydesdale Bank |
| 12 Months | Marsden Building Society, Chorley Building Society, Beverley Building Society, Penrith Building Society, Principality Building Society, Market Harborough Building Society, Pepper Money, Foundation Home Loans, Darlington Intermediaries, Bespoke BOI, HSBC |
| 18 Months | TSB |
| 24 Months | Skipton Building Society, Hodge, Tipton Building Society, Suffolk Building Society, Kensington Mortgages |
| Do Not Lend to Applicants on a Visa | Nationwide Building Society, Bath Building Society, Swansea Building Society, Stafford Building Society, Virgin Money, Coventry Building Society, The Co-operative for Intermediaries, Society, Atom Bank, Vernon Building Society, Leeds Building Society, Scottish Building Society, Aldermore, Central Trust Limited, Family Building Society, Kent Reliance |
Deposit requirements
While 5% deposits can be possible for some borrowers, non-UK citizens are often asked to provide a larger deposit — typically between 10% and 25%.
Your deposit source also matters. Some lenders won’t accept gifted or overseas deposits unless you hold permanent residency. Ensuring a clear audit trail for any overseas funds is vital to avoid delays.
Income level, source, and currency
Where your income is paid and taxed makes a big difference to how lenders assess affordability.
- Paid in GBP into a UK bank account: Usually treated the same as UK citizens.
- Paid in foreign currency: Fewer lenders will consider it, and some apply exchange-rate stress tests.
- Paid into an overseas account: Still possible, but options are limited.
- High earners (£75,000+): Some lenders are more flexible for higher incomes.
If your income is based in the UK and taxed here, your application will generally be smoother.
Buying with a British citizen or Permanent resident
If you’re buying a property with a British citizen or someone who has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), some lenders offer enhanced or more flexible criteria. This can include accepting smaller deposits, reduced minimum residency periods, or being more open to applicants with shorter visa durations.
Other lenders will still require both applicants to fully meet their standard foreign national criteria.
Here’s a general overview to give you a feel for how some major lenders approach this:
| Enhanced criteria (more flexible if buying with a British citizen or ILR holder) | Standard criteria (both applicants must fully qualify) |
|---|---|
| Halifax | Barclays |
| Accord Mortgages | Santander |
| NatWest | Nationwide Building Society |
| HSBC |
How to improve your chances of approval
Even if you don’t meet every standard requirement, there are several practical ways to improve your mortgage prospects:
- Save a larger deposit — lending criteria often improve with each 5% LTV step.
- Build a UK credit history — six months of consistent activity can make a big difference.
- Maintain stable employment or a steady income stream.
- Apply with enough time left on your visa.
- Keep a clean audit trail for your deposit, especially if gifted or sent from overseas.
- Consider applying jointly with a British citizen or permanent resident.
- Work with a specialist mortgage broker who understands foreign national criteria.
At Strive, we have extensive experience helping non-UK citizens prepare strong applications that meet lender expectations from day one.
Looking for 5 star mortgage advise? We’re ready to help.
Whatever stage you’re at, it’s never too early to reach out.
View all 53 reviews on Trustpilot
How Strive helps foreign nationals buy in the UK
Getting a mortgage in the UK as a foreign national doesn’t need to be stressful. At Strive, we specialise in foreign national mortgages, helping clients find the right lenders and competitive rates across a wide range of visa types.
Our team handles everything — from identifying lenders suited to your visa and income profile, to preparing documentation and presenting your case to maximise approval chances.
If you’d like to understand how our expertise can make the process smoother, explore the benefits of using a mortgage broker for foreign national applications on our website.
Outstanding service and clear communication are at the core of what we do. But don’t just take our word for it—read firsthand experiences from our clients and discover why they rate us a 5-star mortgage broker.
Yes, it’s possible to get a mortgage with limited leave to remain, although a mortgage lender may stipulate a minimum deposit amount and have a maximum LTV (loan to value) cap.
No, it’s possible to get a mortgage on a property in the UK without having PRR, although each lender has specific residency criteria for non-UK nationals.
It is possible to get a buy-to-let mortgage as a non-UK citizen. Most buy-to-let lenders require a minimum 25% deposit and often require a minimum £25,000 earned income.
Most UK lenders consider mortgages to foreign nationals, although the best lender depends on your own circumstances. Halifax and Barclays are known for their flexible residency criteria.
Jamie Elvin
Jamie is an expert in all things mortgages, and our most experienced broker. Connect with Jamie and get started to see how Strive Mortgages can help you.
