Mortgages for non-UK nationals and non-residents: can you buy a home in the UK?

Yes, you can get a mortgage in the UK without a British passport. If you live here, many mainstream lenders will lend to you as long as you have the right to live in the UK, have been here long enough and have a UK credit footprint. If you live abroad, you can still buy, but far fewer lenders will help, deposits are bigger and you'll pay extra stamp duty in England and Northern Ireland. Where you live and your immigration status matter much more than your nationality.

Updated on 17 September 2026 for current lender criteria, eVisas and stamp duty rules.

Settled status or ILR

Like a UK national

Most lenders treat permanent residents the same as British buyers

Visa or pre-settled status

From 10% deposit

With some lenders, usually with rules on time in the UK and income

Living outside the UK

25%+ deposit

Typical minimum, with a much smaller choice of lenders

Stamp duty if non-resident

+2%

Surcharge in England and Northern Ireland, on top of any other rates

First: do you live in the UK or abroad?

Lenders treat these as two separate markets. Your nationality isn't the test: where you live, and your right to be here, are.

Mortgages for non-UK citizens living in the UK: how your status affects you

Lenders sort applicants into those with a permanent right to live in the UK and those with limited leave. This is roughly how each group is treated.

What lenders look for if you don't have permanent status

Criteria vary a lot between lenders. For example:

• Time in the UK. Many lenders want at least 12 months' UK residency, and some ask for a three-year UK address history. HSBC, for instance, lends up to 85% of the value to foreign nationals who have lived here for 12 months, or to newer arrivals on higher incomes.
• Deposit. Santander raised its maximum for applicants without a permanent right to reside from 75% to 90% loan to value in June 2026, with minimum incomes of £50,000 for a single applicant who has lived here a year.
• Time left on your visa. Some lenders want a set period remaining, often around 12 months. Others are more flexible if your employer is sponsoring an extension or you're close to ILR.
• Income. Usually a permanent UK job. Contractors and the self-employed on visas have fewer options.

If you're an NHS worker on a Health and Care Worker visa, our guide to mortgages for NHS staff covers your wider options too.

Can you buy a house with pre-settled status?

Yes. Pre-settled status gives you the legal right to buy, and many lenders accept it. The Home Office now extends pre-settled status automatically by five years if it's about to run out, and is converting many holders to settled status without a new application.

Your time in the UK, credit history and deposit usually decide your options. If you're close to settled status, waiting a few months may widen your choice of lenders.

Proving your status: eVisas and share codes

The UK has replaced most physical immigration documents, including biometric residence permits (BRPs), with eVisas. An eVisa is an online record you access through a free UKVI account.

• Lenders, solicitors and landlords may ask for a share code from the "View and prove your immigration status" service. Codes are valid for 90 days, so generate one close to when you apply.
• An expired BRP isn't proof of your status on its own. Make sure your UKVI account shows your current passport.
• EU Settlement Scheme holders already have digital status and use the same service.

Documents and credit history

Documents checklist

Identity

Passport and a share code, or visa documents

Address

UK address history, often for three years, and proof of address

Income

Payslips, P60 or tax returns, and your employment contract

Bank

Usually three months of statements showing your salary paid in

Deposit

Where it came from, especially if it was sent from abroad or gifted

Non-residents

Overseas payslips or accounts, tax documents, and sometimes an overseas credit report, translated if needed

Money transferred from overseas gets close scrutiny under anti-money laundering rules, so keep a clear paper trail. Our guide to gifted deposits and other sources of deposits explains what lenders ask for.

How to build a UK credit history

Credit history from abroad doesn't usually follow you here, so a thin UK file is a common hurdle for newer arrivals.

• Register to vote if you can. In England and Northern Ireland that includes Commonwealth citizens, some EU citizens and others with permission to stay. In Scotland and Wales, most people with permission to stay can register.
• Put bills in your name, such as a mobile contract, energy or broadband, and pay them on time.
• Use a credit card lightly and clear it each month.
• Avoid lots of credit applications in the months before you apply.

Read more in why your credit score matters when applying for a mortgage.

Getting a mortgage in the UK as a non-resident

If you live abroad, you can still get a UK mortgage, but expect a narrower, more expensive market. UK expats are generally in a better position than foreign nationals with no UK history, because more lenders cater for them.

As an example, HSBC lends to non-residents in a list of approved countries, including the UAE, USA, Singapore and Hong Kong. For a home it asks for a minimum income of £75,000 and lends up to 75% of the value, so a 25% deposit. For buy-to-let the minimum income is £50,000 with at least a 25% deposit.

How foreign currency income is treated

If you earn in another currency, many lenders count only part of it, often discounting it by 10% to 25% or more to allow for exchange rate swings. Some lenders don't accept foreign currency income at all. Remember that if sterling strengthens, your monthly payments cost you more in your own currency.

Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Whether yours is regulated will depend on your circumstances and the purpose of the loan.

Stamp duty for non-UK residents

In England and Northern Ireland, buyers who are not UK resident pay a 2% surcharge on top of normal Stamp Duty Land Tax. It stacks with the 5% higher rate for additional properties, so a non-resident who already owns a home anywhere in the world pays up to 7% more than the standard rates.

The test is time spent in the UK, not nationality. You count as non-resident if you weren't in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before buying, so British expats pay it too. If you're buying with a spouse or civil partner who is UK resident, you're both treated as resident.

Stamp duty on a £300,000 home in England

Rates from 1 April 2025, no first-time buyer relief

If you move to the UK after buying and are in the UK for at least 183 days in a continuous 365-day period ending no later than a year after completion, you may be able to reclaim the 2% surcharge. The claim must be made within two years of the purchase.

Scotland and Wales don't charge a non-resident surcharge. Both have their own higher rates for additional homes, including an 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement in Scotland.

We are not tax advisers. Stamp duty figures in this article are general illustrations based on the rates published at the time of writing, not a guarantee of what you will pay. Your solicitor or conveyancer will confirm the amount due, and you should take advice from a qualified tax adviser on your own circumstances.

Can non-UK nationals use shared ownership or First Homes?

The national rules for shared ownership and First Homes in England don't require British citizenship. They're based on income (£80,000 or less, or £90,000 in London) and, for First Homes, being a first-time buyer. In practice you still need a mortgage lender that accepts your status, and some housing providers set their own residency rules, so check before you reserve a property.

How to get a mortgage as a non-UK national: step by step

1. Check your statusLog into your UKVI account, confirm your details are up to date and note when your leave ends.
2. Get your credit file in orderCheck all three credit reference agencies and fix any errors.
3. Build your deposit and paper trailKeep evidence of savings and any money sent from abroad.
4. Speak to a broker before applyingLender criteria differ widely, and a declined application can leave a mark on your file.
5. Get an agreement in principleFrom a lender that accepts your status, so estate agents take your offer seriously.
6. Apply and budget for costsInclude stamp duty, legal fees and, if relevant, currency transfer costs. Our mortgage timeline shows what happens next.

Mortgages for non-UK nationals: FAQs

Can I get a mortgage with pre-settled status?

Yes. Many lenders accept pre-settled status, some on the same terms as British buyers. Your time in the UK, income, credit history and deposit usually decide which lenders are open to you.

Can I get a mortgage with indefinite leave to remain?

Yes. Most lenders treat ILR, and settled status, the same as British citizenship, so you can access standard deals and low-deposit mortgages.

Can a non-UK resident get a mortgage in the UK?

Yes, but from a much smaller group of lenders. Expect to need a deposit of 25% or more, provable income and, with some lenders, to live in an approved country.

How long do I need to live in the UK to get a mortgage?

There's no legal minimum. Many lenders want at least 12 months, some ask for up to three years' UK address history, and a few will consider new arrivals on higher incomes.

Do non-UK citizens pay more stamp duty?

Not because of citizenship. The 2% surcharge in England and Northern Ireland depends on whether you've spent 183 days in the UK in the year before buying. A foreign national living here doesn't pay it.

How Quick Mortgages can help

Your nationality rarely stops you getting a UK mortgage, but the right lender depends on your status, time in the UK, income and where you live. We search the whole of the market, including specialist lenders who work with visa holders and non-residents, and there are no broker fees for our advice. We're based in Birmingham and help clients across the UK.

See our first-time buyer, specialist lending and buy-to-let pages, or check today's mortgage rates.

Speak to an adviser

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Disclaimer:

This article is for general guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Mortgage products and their terms can vary, and it is important to seek advice from a qualified, regulated professional who can assess your individual circumstances. Please ensure you consider your unique needs before making any financial decisions.

While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided on this blog is accurate and up-to-date, we do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The mortgage market can change rapidly, and the information on this blog may become outdated. We recommend verifying any information before acting on it and seeking tailored advice.

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