Introduction.
You can buy a home in the UK on most work and family visas. The question is which lenders, and on what terms.
Thousands of people living and working in London on a visa buy property every year. Lenders do treat you a little differently from a UK national, but far fewer doors are closed than most people expect.
Lenders look at your visa type, how long you have been in the UK, how long your visa has left, your UK credit history and your deposit. Each lender weighs these differently, which is why the right introduction matters.
This guide explains how each of those points is assessed, the evidence that helps, and how to plan your purchase around your visa.
Some lenders will consider you from your first months in the UK, with the right deposit and credit profile.
01What lenders look at.
No two lenders apply the same rules. These five points decide which ones are open to you.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Work and family visas are widely accepted; short-term visas are not |
| Time in the UK | Some lenders need one to three years’ residence, others none |
| Time left on your visa | Some want a minimum, such as 12 months; others look past it |
| UK credit history | A thin file limits choice more than the visa itself |
| Deposit | A larger deposit opens up more lenders and better rates |
Adviser’s note
Many people are told “no” by their own bank and assume that is the market’s answer. It usually is not. Lender appetite for visa holders varies widely.
Your income, job and outgoings are assessed in the same way as any other applicant once the residency points are satisfied.
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- 02Visa types and settled status
- 03Building your UK credit history
- 04Deposits and how much you can borrow
- 05Planning around your visa
- 06The evidence lenders ask for
- 07A visa purchase, illustrated
- 08Checklist and glossary
02Visa types and settled status.
Settled status is treated much like citizenship. Beyond that, each visa type has its own group of lenders.
| Status | How lenders typically view it |
|---|---|
| Indefinite leave to remain | Treated much like a UK national |
| EU settled status | Treated much like a UK national |
| EU pre-settled status | Accepted by many lenders |
| Skilled Worker | Widely accepted, with visa and residency conditions |
| Global Talent | Widely accepted, often viewed favourably |
| Spouse or partner visa | Accepted by many lenders |
| Graduate visa | A smaller group of lenders |
Indicative of lender attitudes, November 2026. Criteria vary and change.
Applying with a partner
Couples can apply together even if they hold different visas. The lender will usually apply the stricter of the two sets of conditions, so it can make sense to compare applying jointly with applying alone.
Applying for ILR soon?
If you are close to qualifying for indefinite leave to remain, we will look at whether waiting widens your options enough to be worth it.
03Building your UK credit history.
For many visa holders, a short UK credit history is a bigger hurdle than the visa. A few simple steps make a real difference.
- Register on the electoral roll if you can. Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can. If you cannot, lenders rely more on other proof of address.
- Use a UK credit card lightly. Spend a little each month and clear it in full.
- Keep accounts in your own name. Utility bills, phone contracts and council tax all help confirm your address.
- Avoid lots of new applications. Several credit searches in a short period can count against you.
- Check all three reports. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion can each hold different information.
Main UK credit reference agencies. Lenders may use any of them.
Overseas credit history
UK lenders rarely use credit history from abroad. A strong record at home does not transfer, so start building a UK one early.
04Deposits and how much you can borrow.
Visa holders can often borrow at 90% or even 95% of the price, but the choice of lenders grows quickly with each extra 5% of deposit.
| Deposit | Choice of lenders |
|---|---|
| 5% | Limited, usually with settled status or long residence |
| 10% | A reasonable choice for many visa types |
| 15% | A wide choice |
| 25% or more | The widest choice and best rates |
Indicative only. Depends on visa, residence and credit history.
Income multiples
Once accepted, you are assessed like any other borrower: usually around four and a half times income, and more for some professionals and higher earners. Bonus, commission and share income may count too.
Deposit from abroad
Money transferred from overseas needs a clear paper trail. Allow time for transfers and keep statements from the sending account.
05Planning around your visa.
The timing of your purchase can matter as much as the property. These are the points we plan around.
Before you search
We check which lenders accept your visa, residence and deposit, and agree a budget.
An agreement in principleVisa renewal coming up
Some lenders want a minimum period left. Renewing first can widen your choice.
Plan the orderChanging jobs
A new employer may mean a new sponsorship and a probation period. Many lenders want this behind you.
Time it carefullyYour ILR date
Qualifying for settlement can open up the whole market.
Sometimes worth waitingFixed rate length
A fix that ends near a visa renewal can be sensible, or not. We discuss it with you.
Match your plansMoving abroad later
If you might leave the UK, ask about letting the property before you buy.
Consent to letStamp duty
Buyers who are not UK resident for tax purposes pay a 2% surcharge on stamp duty in England. Residence for this is based on days spent in the UK, so check your position early.
06The evidence lenders ask for.
A complete, well-ordered file is the quickest route to an offer when you hold a visa.
The core documents
- Your passport and biometric residence permit or eVisa share code
- Proof of address in the UK
- Your employment contract and sponsorship details
- Three months’ payslips
- Three to six months’ bank statements
- Evidence of your deposit and where it came from
Helpful extras
- A letter from your employer confirming your role and any intention to support future visa renewals.
- Your previous UK addresses since arriving.
- Details of any share schemes, bonuses or allowances.
eVisas
Physical residence permits have largely been replaced by eVisas. A share code from the Home Office service lets your lender and solicitor check your status online.
07A visa purchase, illustrated.
A software engineer on a Skilled Worker visa
Two years in London, with 18 months left on his visa and a 10% deposit saved, buying a £600,000 two-bedroom flat.
- Status
- Skilled Worker visa, two years’ UK residence
- Credit
- UK credit card and contracts for 20 months, no missed payments
- Income
- £125,000 salary plus restricted stock units
- Deposit
- £60,000, transferred partly from abroad with a full paper trail
- Outcome
- A lender comfortable with his visa term, a five-year fix and an offer in under three weeks
This example is illustrative and does not describe a real client.
08Checklist and glossary.
Documents to have ready
- Passport and eVisa share code
- Proof of UK address and address history
- Employment contract and sponsorship details
- Three months’ payslips
- Bank statements, including any overseas accounts
- Evidence of your deposit and its source
- Your three UK credit reports
- Details of any planned visa renewal or ILR date
Glossary
- ILR
- Indefinite leave to remain: permanent permission to stay.
- Settled status
- The EU Settlement Scheme’s equivalent of ILR.
- Pre-settled status
- Temporary status that can lead to settled status.
- eVisa
- An online record of your immigration status.
- Share code
- A code that lets others check your status online.
- Sponsorship
- An employer’s licence to employ you on a work visa.
- Credit file
- Your record of borrowing and repayments.
- LTV
- Loan to value: the loan as a percentage of the price.
Related: Foreign national mortgages · Overseas Buyers Guide · All guides