Mortgages for Skilled Worker visa holders.
You do not always need indefinite leave to remain to get a UK mortgage. Lenders assess your visa, UK residency, income and deposit differently, so we’ll check the criteria before you apply and compare suitable mortgage options.
- A 5% deposit may be possible in the right circumstances
- Options may be available without indefinite leave to remain
- Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker and other visa routes considered
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
What lenders actually look at.
Every lender will assess your income, affordability and credit history. For applicants without permanent residency, three additional details can significantly affect which lenders are available:
• Time remaining on your visa. Some lenders require a minimum remaining term, while others have no set minimum if their income or UK residency requirements are met.
• Time living in the UK. Some lenders require an established UK address and employment history, while others will consider applicants who have arrived more recently.
• Your deposit. Some lenders restrict applicants without permanent residency to 75% or 85% loan to value, while others may consider 90% or 95% in the right circumstances.
For example, the difference between a 5% and 25% deposit on a £300,000 property is £60,000. This does not mean that every applicant can access 95% lending, but it demonstrates why checking the criteria before applying is so important.
Which visas and statuses can lenders consider?
Having a time-limited visa does not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage. Depending on the lender and the rest of your circumstances, options may be available for:
- Skilled Worker visas, formerly Tier 2 General
- Health and Care Worker visas
- Global Talent and other qualifying work visas
- Partner, spouse and family visas
- UK Ancestry visas
- Settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Not every lender accepts every immigration route. Indefinite leave to remain or settled status will usually open up more of the market, while some lenders also apply their standard criteria to applicants with pre-settled status.
Doctors, nurses and NHS staff.
Working for the NHS can make your employment and earnings easier for the right lender to understand, but it does not override their visa rules.
We know which lenders understand NHS contracts, training pathways, overtime, on-call payments and allowances. If you are also employed on a fixed-term training contract, our contractor mortgage page is worth reading.
What you will need.
The exact documents depend on the lender, but we will usually ask for:
- Your passport
- Your eVisa details and an immigration status share code
- Your employment contract and, if relevant, sponsorship details
- Three months of payslips and bank statements
- Details of your UK address history
- Evidence of your deposit and where it came from
Having these ready means we can check the criteria properly before recommending a lender.
Check the criteria before you apply.
Avoid making several mortgage applications simply to discover which lenders accept your visa or residency status.
Depending on the lender, an Agreement in Principle may use either a soft or hard credit search. A full mortgage application will normally leave a visible search on your credit file.
Buying a home while working in the UK?
If you’re here on a Skilled Worker visa, we’ll explain how lenders may consider your visa term, time in the UK, income and deposit, then compare suitable mortgage options. Your first conversation is free, with no pressure to proceed.
Call 01225 258900Questions
Your VISA questions, answered.
Can I get a mortgage on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, potentially. A number of high-street and specialist lenders consider Skilled Worker visa holders without indefinite leave to remain. The available options will depend on your visa term, time living in the UK, income, deposit, credit history and whether you are applying alone or jointly.
How much deposit do I need on a visa?
It depends on the lender and your wider circumstances. Some lenders restrict applicants without permanent residency to 75% or 85% loan to value, while others may consider 90% or 95%.
A larger deposit will usually provide a wider choice of lenders and products, but you should not assume that a 25% deposit is always required.
How much time do I need left on my visa?
Lender requirements vary. Some require a minimum period remaining, while others have no set minimum if their other income and UK residency criteria are satisfied.
If your visa is approaching renewal, the lender may also consider your employment, sponsorship and anticipated route to further leave or settlement.
Is Tier 2 the same as a Skilled Worker visa?
The Skilled Worker route replaced the Tier 2 (General) route on 1 December 2020. Some lender criteria still refer to Tier 2, but your current immigration status and eVisa details will be assessed.
Does applying with a UK national or settled partner help?
It can. Some lenders apply their standard criteria where one applicant is a UK national or has permanent residency, settled status or indefinite leave to remain. Other lenders will still assess both applicants’ residency and immigration status individually.
Ready when you are.
Whether you’re arranging a mortgage or protecting what matters, tell us what you need and we’ll explain your options clearly. Your first conversation is free and there’s no obligation.
