Mortgages for Skilled Worker visa holders.
You do not need indefinite leave to remain to get a mortgage in the UK. The right lender will depend on your income, deposit, time in the UK and how long remains on your visa. We know which high street and specialist lenders are likely to fit and how to present your application properly.
- A 5% deposit may be possible in the right circumstances
- Options available before you get indefinite leave to remain status
- Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker and a variety of other visas considered
What lenders actually look at.
Every lender will assess your income, affordability and credit history. For visa holders, three additional details often decide which lenders are available:
- How long is left on your visa. Some lenders require a minimum remaining term. Others have no minimum if you meet their income or UK residency criteria.
- How long you have lived in the UK. Some lenders want an established UK address history, while others will consider you much sooner.
- Your deposit. Some lenders restrict visa holders to 75% or 85% loan to value. Others may lend up to 95% in the right circumstances.
That difference matters. On a £300,000 property, a 5% deposit is £15,000; a 25% deposit is £75,000. Choosing the wrong lender could mean finding an additional £60,000 unnecessarily.
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 checking your credit!
Do not make several formal mortgage applications simply to discover which banks accept your visa. Most Agreements in Principle use a soft credit search, but some use a hard search, and a full mortgage application will normally be visible 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. Some lenders require permanent residency, but plenty of others, including high street names, will lend to Skilled Worker visa holders. The criteria that vary most are how much time is left on your visa, how long you have lived in the UK, and how much deposit you need.
How much deposit do I need on a visa?
It varies enormously. Many lenders want 25% from visa holders. Some will lend at 95%, the same as a UK national. On a £300,000 property that is the difference between £15,000 and £75,000, so which lender you approach matters more than almost anything else.
How much time do I need left on my visa?
Some lenders want 12, 24 or 36 months remaining. Others have no minimum requirement whatsoever. If your visa is approaching renewal, this is the criterion that decides where you should apply.
Is Tier 2 the same as a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. The Tier 2 (General) visa was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa in December 2020. Many lender criteria documents still use the old name.
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.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.
