Skilled Worker Visa Mortgage

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Can You Get a Mortgage on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes. If you hold a skilled worker visa (formerly Tier 2) and work in the UK, you can get a mortgage. There is no legal restriction preventing visa holders from buying property, and a growing number of lenders now offer products specifically designed for skilled worker visa applicants.

That said, getting approved is not always straightforward. Most high street lenders apply stricter criteria to visa holders than to UK citizens or those with indefinite leave to remain. The deposit you need, the lenders available to you, and the rates you can access will depend on how long you have lived in the UK, how much time remains on your visa, your income, and your credit history.

Working with a specialist mortgage broker gives you access to lenders who actively lend to visa holders on competitive terms, including some who accept deposits as low as 5%.

What Is a Skilled Worker Visa?

The skilled worker visa is a UK immigration route that allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for roles that meet a minimum skill and salary threshold. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 and is the most common work visa route into the UK.

To hold a skilled worker visa, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence, and the role must meet the minimum salary requirement (currently £38,700 per year, or the going rate for your occupation if higher). The visa is typically granted for up to five years and can be extended. After five years of continuous residence, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as settled status.

For mortgage purposes, lenders treat the skilled worker visa favourably compared to most other visa types because it is tied to verified employment and a guaranteed minimum income.

Deposit Requirements by Tier

The deposit you need depends on which lenders you can access, and that depends on your overall profile. Here is a breakdown of what is available at each deposit level.

5% Deposit (95% LTV)

A small number of lenders (currently three) will consider skilled worker visa holders with a 5% deposit. Two of these require a minimum income threshold and a clean credit score. One lender has no minimum income requirement or credit score threshold, but you will typically need at least 12 months of UK residency. Hinckley and Rugby Building Society offers up to 95% LTV with one year of UK residency and no minimum time remaining on your visa.

Getting approved at 5% is possible, but the criteria are tight. A broker can assess whether you qualify and which lender is the best fit.

10% Deposit (90% LTV)

At 10%, significantly more lenders open up. You can qualify with less than 12 months in the UK in some cases, and the rate options improve. Dudley Building Society, for example, offers up to 90% LTV for skilled workers with 12 months of UK residency, 12 months remaining on the visa, and a minimum income of £30,000. Several high street lenders also consider applications at this level.

15% Deposit (85% LTV)

HSBC accepts foreign national mortgage applications at up to 85% LTV, but requires a minimum individual income of £75,000 (or £100,000 joint income). At this deposit level, you access a wider range of mainstream lenders with competitive rates. Most will require at least 12 months of UK residency and a reasonable credit profile.

25% Deposit or More (75% LTV)

With a 25% deposit, you have the broadest range of lenders available. Many high street banks and building societies will consider your application at this level, even with limited UK residency or a shorter remaining visa term. Rates are typically the most competitive at 75% LTV and below.

UK Residency Requirements

Most lenders require you to have lived in the UK for a minimum period before they will consider your mortgage application. This is primarily so you have built up enough UK address history and credit data for them to assess you properly.

12 months: The most common minimum. Several lenders, including Dudley Building Society and Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, require at least one year of UK residency.
Less than 12 months: A small number of lenders will consider applicants who have been in the UK for less than a year, but typically only with a larger deposit (25%) or a high income (£60,000 or above).
Two to three years: Some mainstream lenders, including several high street banks, prefer applicants to have two or three years of UK address history. This is not a universal requirement, but it does open up more options.

If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months but have a strong income and a larger deposit, options still exist. A broker can identify which lenders will work with your specific circumstances.

Visa Duration Requirements

Lenders want to know that your right to live and work in the UK will continue for a reasonable period beyond the mortgage start date. Requirements vary.

No minimum remaining: Hinckley and Rugby Building Society has no minimum visa duration requirement, though if less than six months remain, you will need to confirm your intention to extend.
12 months remaining: Most lenders require at least 12 months left on your visa at the point of completion.
Two years remaining: Some lenders offering lower deposits (particularly at 5%) require at least two years remaining.

If your visa is due to expire soon but you plan to extend or apply for ILR, some lenders will accept evidence that an extension application has been submitted or that you are eligible to apply. This is assessed on a case by case basis.

Income Assessment for Visa Holders

Lenders assess your income in broadly the same way as any other applicant, but there are some additional considerations for visa holders.

Basic Salary

Your basic salary is the starting point. Most lenders will multiply your gross annual salary by a factor (typically 4 to 4.5 times) to determine the maximum loan amount. Since skilled worker visa holders must earn at least £38,700 to qualify for the visa, you already meet the minimum income threshold that most mortgage lenders require.

Overtime, Bonuses, and Commission

Some lenders will include additional income such as overtime, bonuses, or commission. The rules vary. Monthly bonuses are typically considered after three months of evidence. Annual bonuses usually require two years of employment history with the same employer. Not all lenders include variable income, so if bonuses form a significant part of your earnings, it is worth finding a lender who will factor them in.

Professional and NHS Income

If you work in healthcare, education, finance, engineering, IT, or another professional field, some lenders offer enhanced terms. NHS employees, in particular, are viewed favourably by several building societies and specialist lenders. Dudley Building Society specifically lists healthcare, education, engineering, IT, legal, finance, and science roles among their accepted professions for skilled worker visa mortgages.

Immigration Health Surcharge and Affordability

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid by most visa applicants to access NHS services. As of 2026, the IHS costs £1,035 per year per adult and £776 per year for dependants under 18. For a five year skilled worker visa with a partner and one child, the total IHS cost can exceed £14,000, paid upfront at the point of visa application.

This matters for mortgage affordability because lenders assess your committed expenditure as part of the affordability calculation. If you have recently paid a large IHS bill, it may temporarily reduce your available savings or deposit. Some lenders treat the IHS as a one off cost that does not affect ongoing affordability, while others may factor it into their assessment of your financial commitments.

If you are planning to buy a property, it is worth budgeting for the IHS alongside your deposit and other purchase costs so there are no surprises at the application stage.

Credit History Requirements

One of the most common challenges for skilled worker visa holders is a limited UK credit history. If you have recently arrived in the UK, you may have little or no data on UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), which makes it harder for lenders to assess your creditworthiness.

Building a UK Credit Profile

There are practical steps you can take to build a credit profile before applying for a mortgage:

Register on the electoral roll at your UK address (you can register as an overseas national)
Open a UK bank account and use it as your main account for salary and bills
Set up and pay a UK mobile phone contract or utility bills in your name
Consider a credit builder card, used for small purchases and paid off in full each month

Lenders Who Do Not Require a Credit Score

Some lenders do not use traditional credit scoring. Instead, they perform a credit search to check for adverse entries such as missed payments, defaults, or county court judgements. If your record is clean (even if thin), you may still qualify. This approach is particularly helpful for applicants who have been in the UK for 12 months or less.

Documents Needed for a Skilled Worker Visa Mortgage

You will need to provide the following documents when applying for a mortgage as a skilled worker visa holder:

Passport: Valid passport with your visa details
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa: Proof of your immigration status and right to work
Visa share code: Generated from the UK government’s online immigration status service
Payslips: Usually the most recent three months, though some lenders ask for six months
Bank statements: Three to six months of statements from your UK bank account showing salary credits and regular spending
Employer letter: A letter from your employer confirming your role, salary, employment start date, and contract type
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number: Some lenders request this to verify your sponsor
Proof of deposit: Evidence of your savings, including source of funds if the deposit comes from overseas
Proof of address: Utility bills or council tax statements at your current UK address

If your deposit includes gifted funds from family overseas, you will also need a gifted deposit letter and evidence of the donor’s source of funds.

Skilled Worker Visa vs Other Visa Types

Lenders treat different visa types differently when assessing mortgage applications. Here is how the skilled worker visa compares.

Skilled worker visa: Widely accepted by lenders. Tied to verified employment with a minimum salary threshold. Considered lower risk than most other visa types.
Ancestry visa: Accepted by many of the same lenders. No employment requirement, but holders have the right to work freely in the UK.
Spouse visa: Accepted by most lenders who consider visa holders. Often assessed on the basis of the sponsoring partner’s income and immigration status.
Global talent visa: Well regarded by lenders due to the endorsement requirement. Often treated similarly to skilled worker visa holders.
Student visa: Very limited mortgage options. Most lenders will not consider student visa holders due to the temporary nature of the visa and typical lack of full time UK employment.
Graduate visa: Some lenders will consider applications, but options are more limited than for skilled worker visa holders because there is no employer sponsorship.

If you are on a different visa type, see our guides for ancestry visa mortgages, spouse visa mortgages, and global talent visa mortgages.

What Happens If Your Visa Is Renewed or Extended

A common concern for visa holders is what happens to their mortgage if their visa circumstances change during the mortgage term.

Visa renewal or extension: If you extend your skilled worker visa during your mortgage term, this does not affect your existing mortgage. Your mortgage contract remains in place regardless of changes to your immigration status. Lenders do not typically monitor your visa status after completion.

Switching to ILR or citizenship: If you obtain indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship during your mortgage term, this strengthens your position. When your fixed rate ends and you come to remortgage, you will have access to the full range of lenders and products available to UK residents.

Visa expiry without renewal: If your visa expires and you do not extend it, you would lose your right to work in the UK. This could affect your ability to make mortgage repayments. Lenders expect you to maintain your immigration status, but the mortgage itself does not automatically default. You would need to address the situation, either by extending your visa, switching to another visa route, or selling the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a mortgage with less than 12 months in the UK?

Yes, but your options are more limited. You will typically need a larger deposit (25% in most cases) or a high income. Some lenders will consider applicants with as little as four months of UK residency if other criteria are strong.

Do I need to be on the electoral roll to get a mortgage?

It is not a strict requirement, but being on the electoral roll significantly improves your credit profile and makes it easier for lenders to verify your address. You can register as an overseas national at your UK address.

Can I buy with my partner if they are on a different visa?

Yes. Joint applications are common. If one applicant has settled status (ILR or British citizenship), the lender criteria are often less restrictive and you may access lower deposit requirements. If both applicants are on visas, the lender will assess both visa statuses.

Will changing employers affect my mortgage application?

It can. Since your skilled worker visa is tied to a specific employer, changing jobs means you need a new certificate of sponsorship from your new employer. Most lenders want to see that you are settled in your role, so it is advisable to complete any job changes before applying for a mortgage rather than during the process.

Are mortgage interest rates higher for visa holders?

Not necessarily. If you meet a lender’s standard criteria, you access the same rates as any other applicant. The rates available to you depend more on your deposit size (LTV) and the product you choose than on your visa status. Where your options are limited to specialist lenders, rates may be slightly higher, but mainstream lenders do not typically charge a premium for visa holders.

Can I get a buy to let mortgage on a skilled worker visa?

Yes, but the criteria are stricter. Most lenders require a minimum 25% deposit for buy to let, and some require a minimum personal income of £25,000. The rental income from the property must also meet the lender’s interest coverage ratio. Fewer lenders offer buy to let products to visa holders compared to residential mortgages.

What if I am a first time buyer on a skilled worker visa?

Being a first time buyer does not prevent you from getting a mortgage on a skilled worker visa. You may also be eligible for government schemes such as the first time buyer stamp duty relief (no stamp duty on properties up to £300,000). Many of the lenders who accept visa holders also work with first time buyers.

Can my deposit come from overseas?

Yes, but you will need to provide a clear paper trail showing the source of funds. This means bank statements from the overseas account, evidence of how the funds were accumulated (savings, property sale, gift), and records of the transfer into your UK bank account. Lenders and solicitors are required to verify the source of all deposit funds as part of anti money laundering checks.

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