FOREIGN NATIONAL MORTGAGES
Mortgages for foreign nationals living in the UK
Living in the UK on a visa, or with settled status? You can still buy a home here. Our specialist adviser, Lloyd Griffiths, helps clients from all over the world find a lender that suits their visa, income and deposit.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Yes, you can get a mortgage without British citizenship
The key is knowing which lender to go to. Every lender has its own rules for visa holders, and they vary a lot. The right lender for you depends on your visa, how long you’ve lived here, your income and your deposit.
That's where our experience counts
Lloyd Griffiths has over 20 years’ experience as a mortgage adviser, and helping foreign nationals is his specialism. We know which lenders suit your situation, so we can approach the right one first time. That saves you time and avoids declined applications, which can leave a mark on your credit file.
Who we help
- Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa holders, including NHS staff
- Spouse and partner visa holders
- EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status
- People with indefinite leave to remain
- Global Talent, Ancestry, BN(O) and other visa holders
- First-time buyers, home movers and people remortgaging
- Joint applications where one of you is a British citizen
What lenders look at
Your immigration status
With indefinite leave to remain or settled status, most lenders treat you like a UK citizen. On a visa, you’ll have fewer lenders to choose from, and you may need a bigger deposit.
How long you've lived in the UK
Many lenders want at least 12 months. Some set no minimum, and others accept less with a higher income or a bigger deposit.
Time left on your visa
Many lenders want 18 months to 2 years left on your visa, but some major lenders set no minimum at all. Knowing which lenders to approach is what we do.
Your UK credit history
Your credit record from home doesn’t follow you here. A short UK history is one of the most common reasons for a decline. Some lenders accept a credit report from your previous country.
Your income
Some lenders set a minimum income for applicants without settled status, often £50,000 for one applicant or £75,000 for two.
How much deposit will I need?
It depends on your status. These are typical figures in October 2026:
| Your status | Typical minimum deposit |
|---|---|
| Indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status | 5% to 10% |
| Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker or spouse visa | 10% to 15% |
| Other visas, such as Global Talent or Ancestry | 15% to 25% |
Lenders change their rules often. We’ll tell you what applies to you when we talk.
Stamp Duty: two things to check
Do you own a home in another country?
If you’ll still own a home anywhere in the world worth £40,000 or more when you buy in England, including a share of one, you’ll usually pay the higher rates of Stamp Duty. That’s an extra 5% on top of the standard rates. You also won’t qualify for first-time buyer relief, even if this is your first UK home. If you’re married or in a civil partnership, a home your spouse or partner owns counts too. Exceptions can apply, for example if you’re replacing your main home.
Have you lived in the UK for less than 6 months?
If you’ve spent fewer than 183 days in the UK in the 12 months before you buy, you’ll pay an extra 2% on top of all other rates. You may be able to claim it back if you then spend 183 days here within the following year. Most people living and working here won’t pay it.
We’ll flag these early so they’re in your budget. We don’t give tax advice: your solicitor will confirm the Stamp Duty you pay. Rates shown are for England.
Documents you'll need
- Your passport
- Proof of address
- Proof of your status: your eVisa share code, or EU Settlement Scheme share code
- 3 months’ payslips, or 2 years’ accounts if you’re self-employed
- 3 to 6 months’ bank statements, showing where your deposit came from
- A gift letter if family is helping with your deposit, including from abroad
How it works
Book a chat
We ask about your visa, time in the UK, income and deposit. It takes about 20 minutes, and there’s no fee for this first chat.
We find the right lender for you
Based on your visa, time in the UK, income and deposit, we search our lender panel for a lender that suits your situation specifically.
Find out what you can borrow
Once we’ve found the right lender, we ask them for an Agreement in Principle. It’s a written estimate of how much they’re likely to lend you, so you know your budget before you start looking at homes. The lender may run a credit search, and we’ll tell you beforehand if it will show on your credit file.
An Agreement in Principle shows how much you may be able to borrow based on the information you provide. It is not a mortgage offer and is subject to full application and credit assessment.
Full application
We collect your documents and submit your application. This is when our fee is payable.
Mortgage offer to completion
We keep you, your solicitor and your estate agent updated until you get the keys.
OUR FEE
£399
One fixed fee for our foreign national mortgage service. You pay it when we submit your full application, not before. If we can’t get you a mortgage offer, we’ll refund it in full.
We’re also paid commission by the lender.
What's included
- A named specialist adviser, Lloyd Griffiths, with over 20 years’ experience
- Direct contact with Lloyd by phone and email
- As many meetings as you need, in person or by video
- A search of our lender panel for lenders that suit your visa
- A personal checklist of the documents you’ll need
- We arrange your Agreement in Principle and full application
- Updates to you, your solicitor and your estate agent through to completion
Talk to Lloyd Griffiths
Lloyd has been a mortgage adviser for over 20 years and specialises in mortgages for people who’ve moved to the UK. He knows which lenders suit different visas and circumstances, and he’ll be your contact from your first chat to completion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage without indefinite leave to remain?
Yes. Many lenders accept visa holders. You may need a bigger deposit, and some lenders want you to have lived here for 12 months.
Can I get a mortgage with pre-settled status?
Yes. Several high street lenders accept pre-settled status. Some treat it like a visa, so the deposit needed can be higher.
I've only just arrived in the UK. Can I still buy?
Some lenders will consider you from the day you arrive. Others want a bigger deposit or a higher income. Talk to us before you apply.
What if my visa runs out in less than a year?
Fewer lenders will help, but some major lenders don’t set a minimum time left on your visa. Talk to us before you apply.
I don't have a UK credit history. What can I do?
Open a UK bank account, register on the electoral roll if you’re eligible, put bills in your name and use a credit card you pay off each month. Some lenders also accept a credit report from your home country.
I own a home in my home country. Does that affect my Stamp Duty?
Usually, yes. If you’ll still own it when you buy here, you’ll normally pay an extra 5% Stamp Duty in England and won’t get first-time buyer relief. Your solicitor will confirm what you pay.
How much does your service cost?
Our fee is £399, payable when we submit your full application. If we can’t get you a mortgage offer, we’ll refund it in full. We’re also paid commission by the lender.
Do you give immigration advice?
No. We’re mortgage advisers, not immigration advisers. If you have questions about your visa or settlement, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.
Find the right lender first time
Book a chat with Lloyd and find out where you stand.
Dupree & Co is a trading style of Gerry Dupree & Company Ltd who are an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of Personal Touch Financial Services Ltd. Personal Touch Financial Services Ltd, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Gerry Dupree & Company Ltd is registered in England at B5 Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AT. Registration Number – 04289129.
For mortgages we may charge a fee of up to £399. This is dependent on individual circumstances and complexity of the case. Any fee we do charge will be agreed with you prior to commencing the mortgage process. The fee is charged at application stage so an initial consultation will not be fee bearing. If we charge you a fee and are unable to obtain a mortgage offer for you, we will provide you with a full refund. We do not charge a fee for product switches with your existing lender.
Stamp Duty information is a general guide to HMRC rules for England as at November 2026. We do not give tax or immigration advice.
The guidance and/or advice contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE