We often have clients who have been turned down by their bank because they don't have Indefinite Leave to Remain. That is rarely the end of the story. Here is how UK mortgages for visa holders really work, and what has changed this autumn.
Have you been turned down at the bank? You are not alone.
You moved to the UK for a good job. You pay your rent on time, your salary is solid and your employer wants you to stay. Then you ask your bank about a mortgage and the answer comes back as a polite no, usually because you don't have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or you haven't been here for three years.
That is rarely a judgement on you. Many high street applications are scored automatically, and a visa end date or a short UK credit file can trip the system before a person ever looks at your case.
However, it's important to note that holding a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa does not, on its own, stop you getting a mortgage. What it changes is which lenders you should be talking to, and how your application needs to be put together.
What is happening with rates and rents right now.
On 5 November 2026 the Bank of England raised Bank Rate from 3.75% to 4%, its first rise since August 2023. If you have been waiting for rates to fall before buying, that is understandably frustrating. A few things are worth keeping in mind.
- Fixed rates don't simply follow the base rate. Lenders price fixed deals on where they expect rates to go over the next few years, so they can move ahead of, or differently from, Bank of England decisions. They can change quickly, which is why up-to-date advice matters.
- Rents are still climbing. According to the ONS, the average UK private rent reached £1,406 a month in the year to September 2026, up 3.8%. In England the average was £1,466, up 4%, with the North West rising fastest at 5.7%.
- Rent builds no equity. Every rent payment covers a roof over your head, but none of it comes back to you. Part of every mortgage payment reduces the debt on a home you own.
That does not mean buying is automatically right for everyone. Owning comes with its own costs: your deposit, Stamp Duty where it applies, legal fees, surveys, maintenance, and payments that can go up when a fixed deal ends. Nobody can promise where rates or house prices go next.
What we can do is show you, in real numbers, what a mortgage could look like for you today compared with what you pay in rent, so you can decide with clear eyes.
And the lending market is more open than many people think. Over the past year or two, a number of building societies and specialist lenders have widened their criteria specifically for skilled visa holders. The market has not closed to you. You just need to know where to look.
Three myths that stop visa holders even asking.
Myth 1: You need ILR or settled status
Many lenders will consider applicants on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa without ILR. A common starting point is around 12 months living in the UK and at least 12 months left on your visa, but criteria vary widely. Some lenders set no minimum time remaining at all, as long as you can show you will apply to extend if your visa is close to running out.
ILR still opens up more lenders and products, but it is not the locked gate many people believe it to be.
For more on why mortgage eligibility and ILR are separate questions, see our guide, Question migrants don't realise they can ask.
Myth 2: You must put down a 25% deposit
A bigger deposit may give you more choice and usually better rates, so 25% is a great position to be in however, it is not a requirement. A number of lenders will lend up to 90% of the property value to visa holders, meaning a 10% deposit, and a smaller number will go to 95% once you have been in the UK for a year or more.
Minimum income rules also vary more than people expect. Some lenders set no minimum at all for visa holders; others look for around £30,000 or £50,000. The right lender for you depends on your whole picture, not one number.
Myth 3: You need three to five years of UK credit history
A thin UK credit file can trip an automated system, but it does not have to sink your application. Lenders who underwrite cases manually look at the bigger picture such as a steady employment, payslips and bank statements, and how you have managed rent, bills and any credit since arriving.
A few simple steps can help, including keeping a UK current account running smoothly, paying bills by direct debit, and if eligible, registering on the electoral roll (for example, as a Commonwealth or Irish citizen).
What a strong visa mortgage application looks like
Lenders are not looking for a perfect applicant. They are looking for a clear, well-evidenced one. These are the four areas that matter most.
Your residency and visa
Expect to be asked how long you have lived in the UK, your visa type and expiry date, and who your sponsoring employer is. If your visa is due for renewal soon, tell us early. It changes which lenders fit, and timing your application around an extension can make a real difference.
Your deposit
Every lender, and every regulated broker, has to check where your deposit came from as part of anti-money laundering rules. That is standard, not suspicion. Savings built up overseas are fine, but expect to show the trail: statements showing the money building up and moving to the UK.
Gifts from family, including family abroad, are often accepted with a signed gift letter and ID from the person giving it, though some lenders restrict gifts from overseas. Avoid moving money between lots of accounts just before you apply. A simple trail is a quick trail.
Your income
A basic salary is straightforward. Bonuses, overtime, allowances and relocation packages are treated differently from lender to lender, and some will only count part of them. If you are still in a probation period, or your pay is partly in another currency, that narrows the field but rarely closes it.
Your paperwork
Having these ready speeds things up:
- Passport and proof of your immigration status (now usually your eVisa share code)
- Your latest payslips (typically three months) and most recent P60
- Your employment contract
- Three to six months of bank statements
- Evidence of your deposit and where it came from
- Proof of your UK address
Why the right broker changes the outcome
Applying to banks one by one can do more harm than good. A full application usually leaves a hard search on your credit file, and several declines in a short space of time can make the next lender more cautious.
A specialist broker turns that around. We match you to lenders whose criteria actually fit your visa, deposit and income before anything is submitted, and where it helps, we put your case in front of lenders who have a real person review it rather than a scorecard. Fewer applications, fewer surprises, and a much better chance of the right answer first time.
See what is possible for you
Buying a home in the UK on a visa is not a long shot. For many skilled professionals it is a practical next step that brings stability, a home you can make your own, and protection from rising rents.
Our initial conversation, research and agreement in principle are free. A fee of £495 is payable when your full application is submitted.
Get in touch today and we will tell you honestly what is possible, and what to do next.
Lending criteria mentioned in this article are examples, correct as at November 2026, and change regularly. We do not give immigration advice; please check the latest visa and settlement rules on GOV.UK.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.