If you’ve been told a bank “doesn’t do” mortgages for visa holders, that’s about that bank’s own risk appetite, not a general rule. I compare mortgages across 120+ lenders, including specialist lenders who work with visa holders regularly, and we’ll be straight with you about realistic options based on your visa type, time remaining and deposit.
HTG Mortgages
Visa and Foreign National Mortgages
Last Updated: August 2026
Featured in The Telegraph • Daily Mail • The Times • Sky News
Not having indefinite leave to remain doesn’t rule you out of getting a mortgage in the UK, but it does mean the choice of lender matters a lot more than it would for a British national. Most of the cases we see are Skilled Worker visa holders with somewhere between 6 and 12 months left before their visa needs renewing, which is exactly the point where a lot of people assume they have no options. In most cases, they do.
Lenders who will consider you without indefinite leave to remain, based on time left on your visa
Speak directly to Harry, not a call centre, no passing you around
Decisions in principle done with a soft search, not a hard credit check
As featured in…
Meet your Advisor
Harry Goodliffe
- FCA Authorised
- Director & Mortgage Advisor
“I‘m not about confusing jargon or passing you from person to person. From our first chat to the day you get the keys, you’ll deal directly with me. I‘ll keep you updated, answer any burning questions, and do everything I can to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.”
Let’s Talk About Your Mortgage
The visa and foreign national mortgage process
1
Step 1
First Chat
Contact us for a straightforward chat about your visa type, how much time is left on it, and your deposit.
2
Step 2
Research
We’ll match your visa status and time remaining against lender criteria to find realistic options before anyone runs a hard search.
3
Step 3
Application
Once you’ve chosen a mortgage, we’ll handle the application process, liaising with the lender on your behalf.
4
Step 4
Completion
After approval, we’ll ensure a smooth transition to your new mortgage, keeping you informed at every step.
About
Our approach.
Why choose HTG Mortgages?
Getting a mortgage without indefinite leave to remain comes down to a handful of factors a lender will look at closely. Here’s what matters most:
Time left on your visa is the key factor.
Most lenders that consider visa holders want to see a minimum amount of time remaining, commonly around 12 months, though some will consider less if you can show a clear intention and eligibility to extend. If you’re inside that window, as many of our clients are, it narrows the field rather than closing it.
Deposit size widens your options.
Broadly, the smaller your deposit, the fewer lenders are open to you as a visa holder, and the larger your deposit, the wider your choice becomes. A deposit of 25% or more tends to open up the widest range of lenders; smaller deposits are still possible but with fewer lenders to choose from.
Time already spent in the UK matters too.
Most lenders that lend to visa holders want to see at least 12 months of UK residency, sometimes with a higher income requirement if you’ve been here for less than that.
Skilled Worker visas can run up to 5 years.
You have the right to apply to settle permanently after 5 years of continuous residence, so being partway through that period, rather than right at the start or end, is a completely normal position for a lender to work with. Source: gov.uk, Skilled Worker visa guidance.
How HTG Mortgages Can Help
At HTG Mortgages, we start with your visa position, not a generic application form. As an independent, whole-of-market broker we match visa holders to lenders whose minimum requirements they actually meet. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Visa-first assessment: we start with your visa type and time remaining, and match you to lenders whose minimum requirements you actually meet, so you’re not applying somewhere that was always going to say no.
- Deposit-led options: where a larger deposit opens up more lenders, we’ll set out clearly what changes at each deposit level so you can make an informed choice.
- Broker-only access: several of the lenders most active in this space aren’t available directly to the public.
- Straight answers on timing: if your visa renewal is approaching, we’ll tell you honestly how that affects your options rather than leaving you to find out from a declined application.
Who visa and foreign national mortgages can help
Visa and foreign national mortgages exist because time left on a visa, not nationality, is what lenders actually assess. They could be the right route if:
- You’re on a Skilled Worker visa, including care sector or NHS sponsorship, without indefinite leave to remain.
- You have somewhere between 6 months and a few years left on your current visa.
- You’ve been in the UK for 12 months or more, or you have a strong income that can offset a shorter UK history.
- You’re wondering whether your deposit is big enough, or whether you’d need a much larger one.
- You’ve already been declined or told to come back once you have indefinite leave to remain.
Whatever your visa route into the UK, from Skilled Worker to Health and Care Worker sponsorship, the right lender match is what makes the difference, not your nationality.
If you are buying your first home in the UK, our first-time buyer page covers deposits and the application in more detail. We work with clients across Hampshire, including Southampton.
Why use HTG’s mortgage services?
Available 24/7, so we are always there to help when you need us
We are an independently owned, whole-of-market mortgage broker offering first-charge mortgages
We provide unrivalled customer service, ensuring that you get the care you deserve
Let’s get your mortgage sorted
Written by Harry Goodliffe
Director & Mortgage Adviser, HTG Mortgages · FCA Authorised (1017945)
CeMAP Qualified · Featured in National Press · South England Prestige Awards 2026/27 winner