Can Non-UK Citizens Get a Mortgage in the UK?

Yes.

Being a non-UK citizen does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a UK mortgage.

However, lenders may assess your application differently from that of a British citizen or someone with settled status.

Common factors include:

Your visa type
How long you have lived in the UK
How long remains on your visa
Whether you have ILR or settled status
Your annual income
Your employment type
Your UK credit history
Your deposit
The property value
Your existing debts
Your affordability
Whether you are buying as an individual or jointly

MoneySuperMarket’s 2026 guidance notes that non-UK citizens can obtain UK mortgages, although lenders may apply stricter criteria, particularly where the applicant has limited UK credit history or a short-term visa.

The important point is that there is no single “foreign national mortgage.”

Instead, different lenders have different policies.

Best UK Mortgage Options for Non-UK Citizens in 2026

There is no single lender that is best for everyone.

The strongest option depends on your circumstances.

Mortgage route	Best for	Typical consideration
Mainstream high-street mortgage	Settled residents	Strongest eligibility
Foreign-national mortgage	Visa holders	Visa and residency criteria
Specialist mortgage	Complex immigration situations	More flexible criteria
International mortgage	Non-UK residents	Often larger deposits
First-time buyer mortgage	New UK homeowners	Deposit and affordability
90–95% LTV mortgage	Buyers with smaller deposits	Strict eligibility
Buy-to-let mortgage	Property investors	Different income/deposit rules

The most important thing is to match your circumstances to lenders before submitting multiple applications.

1. Santander — One of the Most Interesting Options for Foreign Nationals

Santander UK mortgage information

Santander made an important policy change in June 2026.

The lender announced that it could consider lending up to 90% LTV to eligible foreign-national applicants without permanent right to reside in the UK.

Its updated policy introduced different requirements depending on how long the applicant had lived in Britain.

For eligible applicants borrowing above 75% LTV:

Applicants living in the UK for at least one year could potentially qualify with minimum gross annual income of £50,000 for a single applicant or £75,000 jointly.
Applicants living in the UK for less than one year could potentially qualify with gross annual income of £200,000.
Maximum LTV under the stated policy is 90%.

Why this matters

A 90% LTV mortgage means a potential 10% deposit rather than 20%, 25% or more.

On a £300,000 property:

10% deposit = £30,000

Compared with:

25% deposit = £75,000

That’s a £45,000 difference in upfront capital.

Of course, qualifying for a particular LTV depends on the lender’s current criteria and your individual circumstances.

2. HSBC — Strong Option for International and Non-UK Resident Buyers

HSBC UK international mortgages

HSBC has a dedicated international mortgage proposition for certain non-UK residents and foreign nationals.

Its current criteria state that eligible non-UK residents can apply for residential mortgages if they:

Live in an approved country or region
Meet the relevant income requirement
Meet the lender’s LTV requirement

HSBC currently states a maximum 75% LTV for eligible non-UK residents under its international residential mortgage criteria.

That means you may need a deposit of at least:

25% of the property price.

For a £400,000 property:

25% deposit = £100,000

You would then potentially borrow:

£300,000

Who may benefit?

HSBC’s international mortgage route can be particularly relevant to:

Overseas buyers
High-income professionals
Non-UK residents
Foreign nationals who have recently moved to Britain
People buying UK residential property from abroad

HSBC says certain non-UK residents can apply for residential mortgages with a minimum basic annual income of £75,000, subject to country and other eligibility criteria.

3. Halifax — Potentially Attractive for Some Visa Holders

Halifax mortgages

Halifax is another lender worth investigating for foreign nationals.

Current 2026 market comparisons show Halifax offering mortgage products at competitive LTV levels, although the exact mortgage available to a foreign national can depend heavily on residency, income, visa and other underwriting requirements.

This distinction is important.

A mortgage rate advertised to the general public does not necessarily mean that every visa holder can obtain that mortgage.

Your eligibility must be checked against the lender’s criteria.

4. Nationwide — Worth Comparing for Eligible Newcomers

Nationwide mortgages

Nationwide is another major UK mortgage lender that buyers should compare.

Its mainstream mortgage rates can be competitive, particularly for buyers with larger deposits.

However, immigration status and residency can affect eligibility.

This means a foreign national should not simply compare the headline interest rate.

Instead, compare:

Eligibility + LTV + rate + fee + affordability + visa requirements.

A 4.5% mortgage you cannot qualify for is less useful than a 5% mortgage you can actually obtain.

5. Specialist Mortgage Lenders — Best for Complicated Cases

If you have:

A temporary visa
Limited UK residency
Foreign income
Non-standard employment
Limited UK credit history
A large number of international assets
A complex income structure

a specialist lender may be worth considering.

Specialist lenders often operate in areas where mainstream lenders have tighter rules.

This is one reason mortgage brokers can be particularly valuable for foreign nationals.

A broker can potentially identify lenders whose criteria fit your circumstances before you make multiple applications.

What Deposit Do You Need as a Foreign National?

This is one of the most important questions.

There is no universal deposit requirement for non-UK citizens.

Your required deposit can depend on:

Visa
Residency
Income
Credit history
Property
Lender
Loan amount
Employment
Country of origin
Remaining visa duration

MoneySuperMarket’s current guidance says many non-UK citizens may need approximately 15–25%, depending on their circumstances, although some lenders now offer higher LTV options to eligible applicants.

The market has changed significantly.

Current 2026 mortgage research shows that some lenders may go as high as 95% LTV for certain visa holders, while other lenders may cap applicants at 70–75%.

This creates a huge difference in the cash required.

Example: £300,000 UK Property

Suppose you want to buy a £300,000 property.

5% deposit

£15,000

Mortgage:

£285,000

10% deposit

£30,000

Mortgage:

£270,000

15% deposit

£45,000

Mortgage:

£255,000

20% deposit

£60,000

Mortgage:

£240,000

25% deposit

£75,000

Mortgage:

£225,000

The difference between a 5% and 25% deposit is:

£60,000.

That is why finding the right lender can be just as important as saving more money.

Can You Get a 95% Mortgage Without ILR?

Potentially, yes.

This is one of the biggest changes in the 2026 market.

Current mortgage-market research identifies lenders that may consider eligible visa holders at up to 95% LTV under specific circumstances.

However, this does not mean every visa holder can obtain a 95% mortgage.

The lender may require:

Minimum UK residency
Minimum income
Sufficient time remaining on visa
Strong credit
Specific visa categories
Certain employment conditions

The smaller your deposit, the more important your individual eligibility becomes.

Can You Get a Mortgage Without ILR?

Yes.

ILR can significantly expand your mortgage options, but it is not universally required.

Santander’s 2026 foreign-national policy is a clear example: eligible applicants without permanent right to reside can potentially access mortgages up to 90% LTV under specified conditions.

The key question isn’t simply:

“Do I have ILR?”

Instead, ask:

“Which lenders accept my visa and circumstances?”

That is a much more useful way to approach the mortgage market.

Mortgages for Skilled Worker Visa Holders

Skilled Worker visa holders are among the most common groups looking to buy property in Britain.

Lenders may consider:

Salary
Employer
Visa duration
UK residency
Deposit
Credit history
Employment history

A skilled worker with a high salary, strong credit history and a 15–20% deposit may have significantly more options than someone with a lower deposit and only a few months remaining on their visa.

What can improve your application?

Having:

Stable employment
Long remaining visa period
Larger deposit
Clean UK credit history
Consistent income
Manageable debts

can all potentially strengthen an application.

Mortgages for International Students

Getting a mortgage as an international student is substantially more difficult than getting one as an established worker.

The primary issue is affordability.

Most residential mortgage applications require evidence that the borrower can afford the monthly payments.

Students without stable qualifying income may therefore find the market restrictive.

If you are an international student planning to buy property, it may be more realistic to consider:

Building savings
Establishing UK credit
Moving into employment
Increasing your deposit
Applying after your income becomes stable

Mortgages for Global Talent Visa Holders

Global Talent visa holders may have a potentially stronger profile if they have:

High income
Stable employment or business income
Strong deposit
Long-term plans to remain in Britain

However, visa eligibility is only one part of underwriting.

The lender will still consider affordability, credit history and other financial factors.

Mortgages for Spouse and Family Visa Holders

Applicants on family visas may also qualify for mortgages.

A joint application can sometimes strengthen affordability where both applicants have qualifying income.

However, the lender will assess:

Each applicant’s immigration status
Income
Credit history
Employment
Existing debts
Deposit
Remaining visa period

Joint applications can therefore be useful, but they do not automatically guarantee approval.

Can You Get a Mortgage With a Foreign Salary?

Potentially.

However, this is usually more complicated than applying with UK employment income.

Lenders may need to understand:

Currency
Employer
Country
Exchange-rate risk
Tax
Income consistency
Documentation

HSBC’s international mortgage offering is specifically designed to serve certain non-UK residents and international buyers, making it one route worth investigating where foreign income is involved.

What Credit Score Do You Need?

There is no single UK credit-score number that guarantees mortgage approval.

Different credit reference agencies use different scoring systems, and lenders do not simply approve or reject applications based on one score.

Lenders can consider:

Payment history
Existing borrowing
Credit utilisation
Defaults
County Court Judgments
Electoral-roll information
Address history
Income
Affordability

For immigrants, limited UK credit history can be a challenge even when they have excellent financial history in another country.

How New Immigrants Can Build UK Credit Before Applying

If you recently arrived, don’t rush into a mortgage application before your finances are ready.

Start by establishing:

A UK bank account

Use it for regular financial activity.

UK address history

Keep your financial records consistent.

Mobile phone payments

Pay bills on time.

Credit products where appropriate

A suitable credit card, used responsibly, can potentially help establish credit history.

Stable income

Consistent employment can strengthen affordability.

Clean payment history

Avoid missed payments.

Lower existing debt

Mortgage lenders assess affordability, not just salary.

How Much Can You Borrow?

A common rule of thumb is that mortgage borrowing can be related to a multiple of income, but lenders assess affordability individually.

Do not assume:

£50,000 salary = exact mortgage amount X.

Your maximum borrowing can depend on:

Salary
Bonuses
Commission
Self-employment income
Existing loans
Credit cards
Dependants
Childcare costs
Mortgage term
Interest rates
Lender criteria

A mortgage broker or lender’s affordability calculator can give you a more useful estimate.

Current UK Mortgage Rates in September 2026

Mortgage rates are currently moving quickly.

As of September 2026, published market data showed five-year fixed first-time-buyer rates around the mid-4% range for some 60% LTV products, while higher-LTV products were more expensive.

At the same time, broader market reports show average two- and five-year fixed rates around the mid-5% range, reflecting a recent increase in borrowing costs.

The Bank of England Bank Rate is currently 3.75%, with September 2026 polling indicating expectations that it could remain at that level for the rest of 2026.

Why rates matter to immigrants

Suppose you borrow:

£300,000 over 30 years.

At approximately 4.5%, the monthly capital-and-interest payment is roughly:

£1,520

At approximately 5.5%, it rises to roughly:

£1,703

That’s approximately:

£183 more per month

or around:

£2,196 more per year.

Actual mortgage payments vary according to the rate, term, fees and mortgage structure.

Fixed vs Tracker Mortgage for New Immigrants

Fixed-rate mortgage

Your interest rate remains fixed for an agreed period.

Advantages

Predictable payments
Easier budgeting
Protection from immediate rate increases

Disadvantages

Early repayment charges may apply
You may not benefit if rates fall significantly

Tracker mortgage

The interest rate moves in relation to the Bank Rate.

Advantages

Can become cheaper when rates fall
Often has greater flexibility

Disadvantages

Payments can increase
Harder to budget

For newcomers with relatively little financial cushion, predictable payments can be particularly valuable.

What Fees Should You Budget For?

The mortgage interest rate is not the only cost.

Potential costs include:

Mortgage arrangement fee
Broker fee
Valuation fee
Legal fees
Survey
Stamp Duty Land Tax
Property insurance
Moving costs
Early repayment charges

Some mortgages have lower interest rates but higher arrangement fees.

Others may have slightly higher rates with lower fees.

Therefore, compare the total cost, not just the headline rate.

What Is LTV and Why Does It Matter?

LTV means loan-to-value.

If a property costs £400,000 and you borrow £320,000:

£320,000 ÷ £400,000 = 80%

Your LTV is therefore 80%.

Your deposit is:

20%.

Generally, a lower LTV can give you access to more mortgage options and potentially lower rates.

For foreign nationals, however, LTV can also depend directly on immigration status and lender policy.

How Much Does a £500,000 House Cost With Different Deposits?

Deposit	Deposit amount	Mortgage
5%	£25,000	£475,000
10%	£50,000	£450,000
15%	£75,000	£425,000
20%	£100,000	£400,000
25%	£125,000	£375,000

For many foreign buyers, the difference between qualifying for a 75% LTV mortgage and a 90% LTV mortgage can therefore represent tens of thousands of pounds in additional borrowing.

Should You Use a Mortgage Broker?

For a straightforward application, you may be comfortable comparing mortgages yourself.

For a foreign national application, a broker can be particularly useful.

Why?

Because lender criteria can differ substantially.

One lender may say:

No.

Another may say:

Yes, with a 20% deposit.

A third may say:

Yes, with 10%, subject to income and residency requirements.

A specialist broker can help identify lenders that are more compatible with your circumstances.

However, check whether the broker is:

FCA authorised
Whole-of-market or limited
Fee-free or fee-charging
Paid commission
Experienced with foreign-national mortgages

Don’t assume every mortgage broker specialises in visa-holder applications.

What Documents Will You Need?

Prepare as much as possible before applying.

Common documents can include:

Identification

Passport
Visa documentation
Immigration status evidence

Income

Payslips
Employment contract
Bank statements
Tax documents where applicable

Address

Tenancy agreement
Utility bills
Bank statements
Other accepted proof

Deposit

You may need evidence showing:

Where the money came from
How long you’ve held it
Whether it is a gift
Whether it came from overseas

Existing debts

Lenders may ask about:

Credit cards
Personal loans
Car finance
Student loans
Other mortgages

Can Gifted Deposits Be Used?

Potentially.

Many UK lenders accept gifted deposits under specific conditions.

However, the person giving the money may need to provide:

A gift declaration
Proof of identity
Evidence of funds
Evidence showing the money’s source

International transfers can receive additional scrutiny.

Do not move large sums of money immediately before a mortgage application without keeping clear documentation.

What If Your Deposit Comes From Another Country?

This is common for immigrants.

A deposit might come from:

Savings in your home country
Family
Sale of an overseas property
Investments
Employment income
Business proceeds

The key issue is being able to demonstrate the source of funds.

Keep:

Bank statements
Sale agreements
Investment statements
Gift letters
Transfer records
Tax documents

Clear documentation can make the process easier.

Can You Buy a UK Home Before Getting ILR?

Potentially.

You do not necessarily need ILR to buy property.

The real issue is whether a lender is willing to provide the mortgage under your current immigration status.

As the 2026 market demonstrates, some lenders are willing to consider foreign nationals without permanent right to reside, although criteria vary substantially.

Biggest Mistakes Foreign Buyers Make

1. Assuming ILR is mandatory

It isn’t universally mandatory.

2. Applying to multiple banks immediately

Multiple applications can create unnecessary credit-search activity.

3. Looking only at interest rate

Fees can materially change the overall cost.

4. Saving for a deposit without checking lender criteria

A 20% deposit isn’t equally useful if the lender doesn’t accept your visa.

5. Ignoring visa expiry

Remaining visa duration can matter.

6. Forgetting affordability

A high salary does not automatically mean you can borrow a huge amount.

7. Moving unexplained money

Large unexplained transfers can complicate source-of-funds checks.

8. Choosing a property before checking borrowing capacity

Get your finances assessed before committing to a property search.

Step-by-Step UK Mortgage Strategy for New Immigrants

Step 1: Establish your immigration position

Know exactly:

Visa type
Visa expiry
Residency period
ILR/settled status position

Step 2: Check your UK credit history

Identify potential problems before applying.

Step 3: Calculate your deposit

Know your available cash.

Step 4: Estimate affordability

Work out a realistic monthly payment.

Step 5: Research lender criteria

Don’t start with rates alone.

Step 6: Consider a specialist mortgage broker

Especially if your visa or income situation is complicated.

Step 7: Obtain an Agreement in Principle

This can help establish your approximate borrowing capacity.

Step 8: Search for property

Stay within your realistic budget.

Step 9: Make an offer

Once your financing position is clear.

Step 10: Complete legal and mortgage checks

Your solicitor, lender and other professionals handle the required legal and underwriting processes.

Best Mortgage Strategy by Applicant Type

New immigrant with 25%+ deposit

You may have a broader range of lenders available.

Focus on:

Interest rate
Fees
Early repayment charges
Mortgage term
Overall cost

Skilled worker with 10–15% deposit

Focus heavily on foreign-national lender criteria.

Santander’s 2026 policy is particularly notable because eligible applicants can potentially access up to 90% LTV under its stated conditions.

Non-UK resident buying a UK property

Investigate international mortgage products.

HSBC currently offers an international route for eligible non-UK residents, with residential lending up to 75% LTV under its stated criteria.

Buyer with limited UK credit history

Consider building your UK financial profile before applying where possible.

Complex visa or income situation

A specialist mortgage broker may be especially valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners get mortgages in the UK?

Yes. Non-UK citizens can obtain UK mortgages if they meet a lender’s eligibility and affordability requirements.

Do I need ILR to get a UK mortgage?

No. Some lenders consider applicants without ILR, although eligibility can be substantially more restrictive.

Can I get a 90% mortgage as a foreign national?

Potentially. Santander announced in 2026 that eligible foreign nationals without permanent right to reside could potentially borrow up to 90% LTV under specified criteria.

Can I get a 95% mortgage without ILR?

Potentially, depending on the lender and your circumstances. Current 2026 market research identifies some lenders offering up to 95% LTV to certain eligible visa holders.

How much deposit does a foreigner need to buy a UK home?

There is no universal requirement. Depending on your circumstances and lender, you could encounter requirements ranging from around 5% to 25% or more.

Can I get a mortgage with a Skilled Worker visa?

Potentially. Income, visa duration, UK residency, deposit and credit history can all affect eligibility.

Can international students get UK mortgages?

It is possible in some circumstances, but affordability and income requirements can make mortgage approval difficult for students without stable qualifying income.

Can I get a UK mortgage using overseas income?

Potentially, but lender criteria can be more restrictive and additional documentation may be required.

Is it better to wait for ILR before buying?

Not necessarily. Waiting may expand your lender options, but property prices, mortgage rates and your personal circumstances can change. Compare the financial consequences rather than assuming waiting is automatically better.

Final Verdict

For non-UK citizens, the UK mortgage market in 2026 is more accessible than many newcomers realise.

You do not automatically need British citizenship or ILR to buy a home with a mortgage.

The biggest factors are your:

Visa + income + residency + deposit + credit history + lender.

Santander’s expanded 2026 foreign-national criteria show how the market is becoming more flexible for some borrowers, with eligible applicants potentially accessing up to 90% LTV.

For international and non-UK residents, HSBC’s dedicated international mortgage route is another important option to investigate, although its current criteria can require a substantial deposit.

The most important lesson is this:

Don’t save blindly for a deposit and don’t choose a lender based only on the advertised interest rate.

First determine which lenders accept your immigration status.

Then compare:

Maximum LTV
Deposit
Interest rate
Arrangement fee
Affordability
Visa requirements
Residency requirements
Early repayment charges
Total cost

For a foreign national buying in Britain, finding the right mortgage criteria can potentially save tens of thousands of pounds in upfront capital and long-term borrowing costs.

And because mortgage criteria and rates can change quickly, check current lender terms immediately before applying.