Can a foreign national get a mortgage in the UK?

Yes. There is no legal bar on foreign nationals buying property or taking a mortgage in the UK, and many lenders offer mortgages to borrowers without British citizenship. The choice of lender depends mainly on whether the borrower lives in the UK or abroad, their visa or residence status, their income and the size of their deposit.

Foreign nationals living in the UK with settled status or indefinite leave to remain are usually treated like British citizens. Those on visas, and those living abroad, face more checks and a smaller group of lenders. The foreign national mortgages section explains each route in more detail.

Foreign nationals living in the UK on a visa can often get a mortgage once they have a UK job, a UK bank account and some UK credit history. Lenders look at the visa type, time left on it and time spent in the UK. A longer stay and a bigger deposit widen the choice of lenders.

Skilled Worker, family and graduate visas are all accepted by some lenders, with conditions that vary from lender to lender. Building a UK credit record early, by keeping accounts in good order, makes later applications easier.

Foreign nationals living abroad can buy UK property with a non-resident mortgage from lenders that accept overseas borrowers. These lenders check overseas income, currency, country of residence and nationality, and they usually ask for at least a quarter of the price as a deposit. Buy-to-let is a common purpose, assessed mainly on the expected rent.

Some countries and nationalities are accepted by few lenders, often because of sanctions rules or difficulty verifying documents. Documents not in English need certified translations.

Buyers who are not UK resident pay a 2% non-resident surcharge on Stamp Duty Land Tax in England and Northern Ireland (GOV.UK, accessed 20 Oct 2026), on top of the higher rates for additional dwellings where they already own a property anywhere in the world. Residence is tested on days spent in the UK, not on nationality or visa status.

Legal fees, valuation fees, currency transfer costs and document certification add to the money needed. Lenders check the source of the deposit, including money moved from abroad, so keeping a clear record of savings and transfers helps.

Foreign nationals can apply through a broker or directly with lenders that accept their circumstances. Documents usually include a passport, visa or proof of status, proof of address, payslips or accounts, bank statements and evidence of the deposit. Applications from abroad can usually be completed remotely, with valuations and legal work done in the UK.

Allowing extra time for document checks, translations and time zones keeps the purchase on track. Getting an agreement in principle before making an offer shows sellers that finance is likely.