UK Mortgage Eligibility Explained: How Soon Can Newcomers Buy a Home?

Video Breakdown

00:00 – How long do you need to live in the UK to get a mortgage

00:49 – Can you apply for a UK mortgage without living here long

01:18 – Ideal time to apply for a mortgage after moving to the U

01:35 – Understanding the UK credit score system for mortgage

02:02 – How to build your credit file in the UK as a newcome

02:38 – Why UK job stability helps mortgage approval chance

03:01 – Minimum UK residency: Is 3 to 6 months enough

03:18 – What else affects your UK mortgage eligibility

03:40 – Free UK Mortgage Mentor Scheme – How to join

04:03 – Tips for buying your first UK home – Subscribe no

04:15 – Final advice for UK homebuyers from oversea

Video Transcript

Hello, I’m Ifthikar Mohammad. I was once in your position—I came from overseas, and I got my first dream home through a mortgage. Today, I run a mortgage broker firm and have helped over 4,000 applicants in my career.

Let’s dive into the details.

No Strict Minimum Requirement

The positive news is: some lenders don’t have a minimum requirement for how long you must have lived in the UK before applying for a mortgage.

There’s also no minimum number of months you must have worked with an employer.

If you have a strong employment history overseas and are continuing the same type of job in the UK, some lenders may still consider your application.

Rule of Thumb: 3–6 Months

While there’s no fixed rule, we usually recommend:

Wait 3 to 6 months before applying for a mortgage.

This is not because of the lenders themselves, but because of the UK credit scoring system.

Why Credit History Matters

Your credit file only starts building once you have financial activities linked to it. This includes:

Making payments through direct debit
Having and using a credit card
Being registered on the electoral roll (voters register)

When these start showing on your credit file, your credit score improves.

For someone new to the UK, this process can take weeks or months, which is why waiting helps strengthen your application.

Why Staying Longer Helps

The longer you stay in the UK, the more established your credit history becomes.

The longer you’ve held your job in the UK, the more confidence it gives lenders that you can manage your role successfully.

This reassurance increases your chances of mortgage approval.

Other Key Factors

Keep in mind, lenders also consider other aspects such as:

Your income
Your spouse’s income
Overall financial situation

It’s never just about how long you’ve been in the UK.

Our Goal: Helping You Get Your First Dream Home

Through this channel, we aim to educate people on how to buy their first dream home in the UK with minimum effort.

If you’d like hands-on guidance, we run a Mortgage Mentor Scheme—a free program where we support people step by step in getting onto the property ladder.

Final Note

If you want to make your UK dream home a reality, consider subscribing to our channel. We’ll share plenty of valuable tips to help you along the way.

Thank you for watching.

This is Ifthikar Mohammad, signing off.