How to Get Your First Mortgage in the UK as a Foreign National

For many people in the UK, buying their first home is the start of a new chapter in life. This huge milestone is exciting, but for foreign nationals living and working here, the journey towards homeownership is a little more complicated.

Foreign nationals looking to secure a mortgage in the UK will need to work with different lender criteria, visa rules and credit scoring systems. As a result, planning and preparation are really important for these types of applications. In this article, we’ll discuss how to prepare for your first UK mortgage as a foreign national, and touch on how our team at WIS Mortgages can help you.

Key Takeaways

• There is no single rule for foreign nationals applying for a UK mortgage. Each lender has its own visa requirements, income criteria and documentation standards.
• Building a UK credit profile early is important. Lenders generally cannot use overseas credit history, so establishing UK credit accounts strengthens your application.
• Documentation requirements are higher for foreign nationals. Expect to provide passport and visa evidence, payslips, bank statements, deposit proof and (if self-employed) tax records.
• A larger deposit increases lender choice, especially if your UK residency is recent or your credit file is thin.
• Overseas deposits must be fully traceable, with a clear audit trail showing the legal source of funds.
• Specialist lenders can help with foreign income or complex arrangements, though rates may differ from mainstream lenders.

Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

How Do UK Lenders View Foreign National Mortgage Applicants?

Securing your first mortgage in the UK as a foreign national is perfectly achievable; it just takes a bit more preparation. One of the first things you should do to prepare is understand how lenders view your status as a foreign national.

There isn’t a single rule in place for assessing foreign nationals. Each lender has its own specific eligibility criteria. With that said, they all typically assess the same areas, which will include:

Your Residency Status

This is one of the most important factors. Lenders generally want to see evidence that you can live and work in the UK. They’ll also want to know what visa type you have, how long you’ve been in the UK and how long you have left on your current visa.

Some lenders also have nationality restrictions, though this is becoming less common.

Your Income and Employment

Lenders prefer stability when assessing potential borrowers. They typically look for signs of financial security in the form of:

• A permanent employment contract
• At least 3 to 6 months of time spent working for your current employer
• Consistent income on your payslips
• Evidence of any bonuses, commission or overtime

Self-employed foreign nationals will need to provide more detailed documents, such as tax returns and accounts.

Your Credit Profile

One big challenge we see many of our foreign national clients face is a limited UK credit history. Even if you’ve got a strong credit profile in your home nation, UK lenders only care about UK records. We’ve found that this can be a major stalling point if not addressed early.

Your Deposit Source

Deposits are scrutinised carefully by lenders, particularly if they originate from overseas. This can be a problem, as foreign nationals usually need a higher deposit than UK nationals. You can still use funds from abroad, but lenders will want a clear audit train and evidence that the funds are legal.

Don’t know how much you can borrow for your mortgage? Then use our handy mortgage affordability calculator to find out in a few clicks.
Note: Our calculator is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute regulated advice. Please speak to a qualified mortgage adviser for personalised recommendations.

What Visa Types do Lenders Accept for Mortgages?

Lenders can be quite specific about the types of visas they accept when assessing foreign nationals. Some lenders will outright refuse to lend to someone if they have a certain visa, while other lenders will have specific conditions around them. So, for first-time buyers, it is really important to research different lenders. Below, we’ve created a table that provides a rough visa guide for mortgages:

Note: This visa guide is indicative only. Lender eligibility changes frequently, so please seek personalised advice from a regulated mortgage adviser.

Each lender has its own rules regarding the type of visa it accepts. They also have their own rules about the minimum remaining visa duration, which typically ranges from 6 months to 2 years.

How Do You Build a UK Credit History Early?

One of the biggest challenges many foreign nationals face when applying for their first mortgage is a sparse or non-existent credit history in the UK. This is a big problem, as lenders will only use UK credit data for assessment. So, you’ll need to start building your UK credit as quickly as possible. Here’s how:

• Register on the Electoral Roll: Registering on the Electoral Roll is an easy win if you want to boost your credit history.
• Open a UK Bank Account: You can open a bank account with any UK bank. Make sure you use this for your income, bills and spending to build your credit history.
• Get a Mobile Phone Contract: This type of contract is great because it helps build up your payment history and anchors your credit file.
• Apply for a Starter Credit Card: A starter credit card is an ideal vehicle to build up your credit. Just remember to use it responsibly and repay the balance each month.

What Documents Do Foreign Nationals Need for a Mortgage Application?

Due to the way that lenders work, foreign nationals typically need a bit more documentation for a mortgage application. This is so that lenders can assess your income, identity and legal residency with confidence. So, make sure you get the following documents ready ahead of time, so that you’re ready to go:

Can a Larger Deposit Strengthen Mortgage Applications?

If you can, then putting down a larger deposit is a really useful way to strengthen your mortgage application as a foreign national, especially as a first-time buyer. Lenders really like to see this, which gives you more lender choice and possibly reduced interest rates.

Some lenders will accept a 5 or 10 % deposit, but it is useful to save up a bit more. With a 12 to 25 % deposit, lenders will be taking on less risk, which offers greater flexibility around things like a limited credit history.

If your deposit is coming from overseas, ensure you can provide a clear, traceable audit trail, including historical statements.

How Do Lenders Assess Foreign Income?

We’ve found that, in most cases, foreign nationals apply for a UK mortgage by using their UK-based income. However, this isn’t always the case. If you have overseas earnings that you’d like to use, then you’ll need to be careful, as lenders are quite cautious with things like:

• Foreign salaries paid into overseas accounts
• Foreign dividends
• Income earned while living abroad but paid to a UK company

In these cases, you will likely need to work with a specialist lender. They can sometimes accept foreign income, but with extra documentation and currency considerations.

Case Study: Helping a Foreign National Couple With Their First UK Mortgage

At WIS Mortgages, we regularly work with foreign national clients looking to get on the property ladder. One problem we see time and again is borrowers with limited credit histories. In one case, we helped a couple of medical professionals who had recently moved to the UK with their mortgage application. Unfortunately, neither of them had much of a UK credit history.

They already had a deposit ready to go, as well as a strong combined income of around £180,000. This wasn’t enough for most lenders, though, as they typically prefer a good credit score over a strong salary. So, we focused on building their credit quickly and responsibly. This included getting them on the electoral roll, setting up direct debits, signing up for low-limit credit cards and avoiding multiple credit applications. We essentially guided them through the process as mortgage mentors, to great success.

Once our clients had a strong credit history in the UK, we approached a specialist lender who has expertise in foreign nationals and professionals like doctors. Even though our clients had been living in the UK for a short period, the lender allowed borrowing up to six times their income with a 10 % deposit. Our clients could then purchase their ideal home and take their first step on the property ladder.

Note: This case study is based on one client’s experience. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances, and borrowing levels are subject to lender criteria and affordability assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A. Yes, many UK lenders accept foreign nationals, provided you meet their criteria. You’ll need to have the right to live and work in the UK, meet visa requirements, pass affordability checks and provide the correct documentation.

Q. Do I need a specific visa type to apply for a mortgage?

A. Most lenders accept Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Spouse, Family and Global Talent Visas, along with Settled and Pre-Settled Status. Some also accept Graduate, Tier 5 and Youth Mobility Visas, though the criteria are stricter.

Q. How long must I have lived in the UK before applying for a mortgage?

A. Some lenders require at least 6 months of UK residency, while others accept applicants immediately if documentation and income are strong. A broker can identify lenders with the most flexible rules.

Q. Will my overseas credit history be used?

A. Unfortunately, your overseas credit history can’t be used for a UK mortgage application. UK lenders rely on UK credit files only. You should build a UK credit profile early by opening bank accounts, getting a mobile contract and using a credit card responsibly.

Q. What documents do foreign nationals need for a UK mortgage?

A. You’ll typically need the following documents when applying for a UK mortgage as a foreign national:
• Passport and visa/BRP
• Home Office status share code (if relevant)
• 3 to 6 months of payslips and bank statements
• Employment contract
• Deposit evidence (UK or overseas)
• P60 and credit report
• Self-employed applicants need SA302s and accounts.

Q. Can I use overseas money as my deposit?

A. Yes, you can use overseas funds for your mortgage deposit. However, the funds must have a clear, fully traceable audit trail. You may need translated documents, foreign bank statements and proof of currency conversion.

Q. Do I need a higher deposit as a foreign national?

A. Not always, but a larger deposit (15–25%) increases lender choice and improves approval chances, especially if your UK credit history is limited.

Q. Can self-employed foreign nationals get a mortgage?

A. Yes. Most lenders require 1 to 2 years of UK tax returns. Some specialist lenders accept shorter trading histories if income is consistent.

Get on the UK Property Ladder as a Foreign National With WIS Mortgages

Getting on the property ladder in the UK is a huge milestone, but it can be quite a complex journey for foreign nationals. A good amount of planning helps, as you’ll need to understand different lender rules and prepare the right documents.

Working with a specialist mortgage broker can make a significant difference. Our team at WIS Mortgages can help you access lenders that welcome foreign nationals with open arms. We are also here to help you present your application in the strongest possible way. To start your journey up the property ladder in the UK, please reach out to our team at WIS Mortgages today.

Important FCA Warning

This article is a financial promotion approved by WIS Contractor Mortgages Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Calculations are estimates and do not constitute an offer. Affordability assessments vary by lender.
As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments. Written by the mortgage experts at WIS Mortgages, specialists in complex income and affordability assessments.

WIS Mortgages is a trading name of WIS Contractor Mortgages Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA number: 824411.

This article is for information purposes and does not constitute personal mortgage advice. You should speak to a qualified mortgage adviser to assess your individual circumstances.