How to Apply for a Mortgage as a Foreign National – 2025 Edition

Getting on the property ladder has always been a big life achievement in the UK. This milestone is becoming more achievable for foreign nationals thanks to expanding visa options, a growing demand for skilled workers and more flexible lender criteria.

In this 2025 edition, we’ll cover the latest information on how to apply for a mortgage as a foreign national. We look at it all, from visa requirements to deposit rules, and we’ll let you know how WIS Mortgages can help make your mortgage journey as smooth as possible.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign nationals can get a UK mortgage in 2025, but lender criteria vary depending on visa type, credit history, income and deposit size.
• Building a UK credit profile early is important as lenders cannot access foreign credit histories. Use UK bank accounts, credit cards, mobile contracts and a consistent address history.
• Foreign nationals must provide more documents than UK citizens. So, be prepared and plan ahead of time to avoid application delays.
• Many lenders typically offer around 4x to 4.5x income, though some may offer up to 5x or 5.5x depending on the applicant’s profession, visa status and overall financial profile. This is subject to individual affordability assessments.
• Foreign nationals can access government schemes, including Shared Ownership, First Homes and LISAs, depending on eligibility.
• Working with a specialist mortgage broker can improve your chances of finding a lender that accepts your visa and financial profile, especially when dealing with more complex cases.

How Do UK Lenders View Foreign Nationals in 2025?

Mortgage lenders in the UK don’t have a set of defined rules to follow when assessing foreign nationals. Each lender sets their own criteria, which can change with the market and adapt to new demands and borrowers.

Our team at WIS Mortgages have seen a steady increase in first-time buyer foreign national mortgages, so we have a good idea of what lenders are looking for. Lenders in 2025 are typically assessing foreign national borrowers across four main areas:

Visa and Residency Status

Lenders need to confirm you can legally live and work in the UK. This might mean checking that you have a suitable visa for a mortgage and that your visa has a sufficient time remaining on it. They usually also want a proven UK address history.

Income and Employment Stability

Lenders love to see stable employment and good income when assessing foreign nationals. That means you should be able to demonstrate permanent contracts, stable earnings and clear payslips.

If you’re self-employed or paid partly overseas, lenders will likely ask for additional documents.

UK Credit History

UK lenders cannot access foreign credit files, even if you have outstanding credit abroad. As a result, they can only accept a UK credit history. This can be a stumbling block for many foreign nationals, so we recommend building up a strong UK credit file.

As a foreign national, you should also expect some stricter checks from lenders when they look at your deposit, especially if it’s funds from abroad. They’ll also be looking closely at your bank statements, spending habits and any current debts you have.

The stronger your financial profile, the better your chances of a successful mortgage application.

Visa Types & Likelihood of Getting a 5% Deposit Mortgage in 2025

Not all visas are treated equally when it comes to low-deposit (5%) mortgages. Here is the current 2025 landscape across mainstream and specialist lenders:

Should You Build Your UK Credit Profile Before Applying?

One of the best things you can do to help your mortgage application is to have a strong UK credit profile. This is a great sign for lenders, but it has to be from the UK. Even if you have decades of credit history in your home country, UK lenders cannot see it.

How to Build UK Credit Quickly (2025 Best Practices)

We’ve noticed that many foreign nationals looking for a mortgage (especially first-time buyers) struggle as they don’t have a good UK credit history. To help, we’ve curated some best practices for 2025 to help you build your UK credit quickly:

• Open a UK bank account immediately
• Get a UK mobile phone contract
• Apply for a credit card
• Register for the electoral roll (if eligible)
• Keep addresses consistent
• Avoid payday loans

Many lenders now prefer 12 months of UK credit history, but some will accept as little as 6 months if the profile is strong.

Required Documents for Foreign Nationals (2025)

How Much Can a Foreign National Borrow?

Most lenders treat foreign nationals the same as UK nationals for borrowing multiples: 4–4.5× income is standard, with some offering up to 5.5× for high earners or certain professions (subject to affordability).

Government Schemes Available to Foreign Nationals

• Shared Ownership – gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme
• First Homes Scheme – gov.uk/first-homes-scheme
• Lifetime ISA (LISA) – gov.uk/lifetime-isa
• Right to Buy (if eligible tenant) – gov.uk/right-to-buy

Case Study: Helping a Foreign National Secure a Mortgage

Our team recently helped a client on a Skilled Worker visa with only 8 months of UK residency and a modest credit file secure a 95% mortgage. By choosing a lender that specialises in visa holders and providing full deposit source evidence from overseas savings, the application was approved within 3 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can foreign nationals get a mortgage in the UK in 2025?

A. Yes – many lenders actively accept foreign nationals, especially on Skilled Worker, Health & Care, and Spouse visas.

Q. Which visas work best for a 5% deposit mortgage?

A. Skilled Worker, Health & Care, Spouse/Family, ILR, and EU Settled/Pre-Settled status are widely accepted at 95% LTV.

Q. How long do I need to have lived in the UK?

A. Most lenders want 6–12 months of UK residency, though some will consider strong cases from day one with the right visa and employment.

Q. Can I use my overseas credit history?

A. No – only UK credit files are visible. Start building your UK credit score immediately.

We Help Foreign Nationals Secure UK Mortgages Every Day

If you’re ready to buy your first (or next) UK property, contact WIS Mortgages today. Our specialist brokers know exactly which lenders accept your visa and how to present overseas income and deposits correctly.

Important FCA Disclosure

This financial promotion has been approved by WIS Contractor Mortgages Ltd (FRN 824411), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
This article is for information only and is not personal advice.