If you’re living in the UK on a visa and thinking about buying a home, one of the most common questions we hear is:
“What do I actually need to get approved?”
Whether you’re on a Skilled Worker visa, Spouse visa, Health & Care visa or anything in between, getting a mortgage comes down to four essential criteria. These aren’t just tips. These are the foundations every lender looks at before approving your application.
In this blog, we’ll walk through each one in detail, so you know where you stand and where to focus next.
1. Residency Status
This is the first checkpoint in every mortgage application.
Lenders will ask:
- What type of visa are you on?
- How long have you been in the UK?
- How much time is left on your current visa?
It might seem simple, but this is often where many foreign nationals get incorrect advice.
- Some lenders will only consider you if you have indefinite leave to remain.
- Others are open to applicants with just 6–12 months of UK history.
- A few even accept foreign nationals with no permanent UK residency yet, as long as the rest of the profile is strong.
What’s important to understand is not all lenders treat visa holders the same. High street banks often have rigid rules that exclude people who are more than qualified. But there are lenders in the market who take a more realistic view, and this is where a specialist mortgage broker can make a big difference.
“Many of our clients are told they can’t get a mortgage, only to discover they absolutely can, once they’re matched with the right lender.”
2. Deposit Amount
Technically, the minimum deposit required for foreign nationals is 5%, depending on your visa and income type.
But here’s what we’ve seen across hundreds of applications:
- 5% deposit = fewer lender options and slightly higher rates
- 10% deposit or more = better rates, more flexibility, and a stronger overall profile
If you’re saving for a property, aim for at least 10% of the purchase price. It gives you more control and shows lenders that you’re financially prepared, something they look at closely when assessing risk.
Example: A £300,000 home with a 5% deposit means borrowing £285,000. With a 10% deposit, you’re borrowing £270,000, and that small difference could unlock lower rates, saving you thousands over time.
We’ve even helped clients use gifted deposits from family overseas, but it’s important that it’s documented properly and accepted by the lender in advance.
3. Income & Affordability
Your income affects how much you can borrow, but it’s not just about the number on your payslip.
Here’s how lenders assess income:
- Most offer 4.5x your household income as a borrowing limit
- Some specialist lenders may go higher if your profile is strong
- Variable income (like overtime or bonuses) is treated differently by each lender
- Lenders deduct any monthly debts (like car finance or student loans) from your affordability
Many foreign nationals assume their income is too low, or worry that being new to a UK employer will hurt them. But this isn’t always true.
For example, we’ve helped Skilled Worker visa clients get approved after only 3 months in a new job, as long as their visa and income were stable.
We’ll also work with you to identify which income lenders will include (for example: second jobs, shift allowances, or overseas income in some cases).
4. Credit Score & UK Credit History
Now let’s talk about the one that causes the most anxiety, credit.
We’ve seen clients hold off for years, thinking they need a “perfect” UK credit score before applying. That’s not true.
Here’s what lenders are really looking for:
- No recent missed payments or defaults
- No CCJs (County Court Judgements)
- A basic level of UK credit activity (e.g. mobile bill, utility bill, credit card)
If you’re new to the UK and haven’t built much credit yet, that’s okay. Some lenders are open to thin credit files as long as the other areas are strong.
And if your credit needs work, we’ll give you a step-by-step plan to build it up fast, so that you’re ready within months, not years.
What This Means for You
Every successful mortgage application, no matter the vis, rests on these four pillars:
- Your residency and visa type
- The deposit you’ve saved
- Your income and monthly financial commitments
- Your UK credit score and payment history
And the good news is: you don’t need to have them all perfect.
Lenders look at your application as a whole. So if one area is weaker, for example, you’ve only been in the UK for 6 months, we’ll focus on strengthening the others to balance it out.
Our Fees (And How We Support You Beyond the Mortgage)
At First Time Finance, we don’t charge upfront. Our Mortgage Offer Fee is £495, and you only pay this once your mortgage is approved. There’s no risk, just expert, ongoing support.
We’ll help you:
- Secure your mortgage as a foreign national
- Understand overpayment options
- Avoid early repayment charges
- Create a long-term payoff strategy
What Makes First Time Finance Different?
We’ve helped hundreds of foreign nationals buy their first home, many of whom were told by banks that they weren’t eligible. Our approval rate is over 99% once we’ve submitted the application, and we’ve secured over £130 million in UK mortgages for clients on all types of visas.
If you’re unsure where you stand, or just want to know what’s realistically possible, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Talk to a Mortgage Specialist
