Can I Get a Mortgage on a Visa?

If you are living in the UK on a visa and thinking about buying a home, one of the first questions you will have is simple. Can I get a mortgage on a visa? The answer is yes. Many lenders are happy to offer mortgages to visa holders, but the rules can vary depending on your visa type, your time in the UK and your financial situation.

This guide explains everything you need to know so you can understand your options clearly and confidently.

Yes, you can get a mortgage on a visa

Lenders will look at your income, your deposit, your credit history and your visa status. As long as you meet their criteria, there is no reason you cannot get a mortgage.

People commonly buy homes in the UK while on:

• Skilled Worker visas
• Health and Care Worker visas
• Spouse or Partner visas
• Family visas
• Graduate visas
• Global Talent visas
• Ancestry visas

The key thing lenders look for is that you are legally allowed to work and live in the UK, and that you have stable income.

How long do you need left on your visa?

Every lender is slightly different, but most want you to have a certain amount of time left on your visa when the mortgage starts.

Typical requirements include:

• at least 6 months remaining
• some lenders prefer 12 months remaining
• the most flexible options appear when you have 24 months remaining

The more time left on your visa, the stronger your application will look.

What if my partner has ILR or is a British citizen but I am on a visa?

This situation actually gives you more options, not fewer.

If one applicant has:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Settled Status
• British citizenship

and the other is on a visa, lenders usually treat the application more favourably. The partner with ILR or British citizenship provides long term stability, which makes lenders more comfortable.

This can mean:

• lower deposit requirements
• better choice of lenders
• more competitive interest rates
• easier affordability assessments

Your visa will still be checked, but lenders are often far more flexible when one applicant already has permanent residency or citizenship.

This is one of the most common arrangements we see at Turtle Mortgages, and it rarely causes problems when handled correctly.

How your deposit affects your chances

Here is how deposits work for visa holders:

5 percent deposit
Possible for some visa holders, but lender choice will be limited.

10 percent deposit
More lenders, more flexibility and better rates.

15 to 25 percent deposit
This level opens up the strongest lender options and often the best interest rates.

The higher your deposit, the lower the risk for the lender, which is especially helpful when visas are involved.

Does your visa type matter?

Yes, your visa type can make a difference because some visas give lenders more confidence due to long term work rights. Visas such as the Skilled Worker route, the Health and Care Worker route, the Spouse visa, Ancestry visas and the Global Talent visa are generally seen as more stable, which often gives you a wider choice of lenders and more competitive rates.

Other visas are considered a little more restrictive. For example, Graduate visas, temporary work visas and student visas may require a higher deposit or a bit more documentation to satisfy a lender’s criteria.

If you are unsure which category your visa sits in or how lenders will view your application, your adviser can confirm this quickly and guide you to the most suitable options.

Final thoughts

Getting a mortgage on a visa is absolutely possible. Your visa type, your deposit and your documents will shape which lenders you qualify for, but thousands of people buy homes in the UK every year while on visas.

If your partner has ILR or is a British citizen, your application becomes even stronger.

If you want to know exactly which lenders will accept your visa and how much you can borrow, we can walk you through it in simple, clear steps.