Can I Get a Mortgage on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes. Skilled Worker visa holders are accepted by most major UK mortgage lenders, including HSBC, Halifax, Barclays, NatWest, Nationwide and many building societies. Lenders typically want at least 6–12 months of UK address history, a clean UK credit file, a deposit of 10–15% (sometimes more for newer arrivals), and a remaining visa length of 6 months to 2 years. Specialist lenders cover earlier arrivals.

This is what each lender looks for from a Skilled Worker visa applicant — and how to position yourself for the best chance of approval — using 2026/27 market practice.

What is a Skilled Worker visa and why does it matter for mortgages?

The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa from December 2020. It allows skilled professionals from outside the UK to work for an approved employer (the “sponsor”) in an eligible occupation. The visa is typically issued for up to 5 years and can be extended; after 5 years on the route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — which puts you on a par with UK citizens for mortgage purposes.

Lenders look at Skilled Worker visa holders favourably because:

• The visa requires sponsored employment with a minimum salary threshold.
• The employer has been vetted and approved by the Home Office.
• The route has a clear progression to ILR after 5 years.
• The visa is renewable, so most holders are long-term UK residents.

What deposit do Skilled Worker visa holders need?

The deposit threshold depends on time in the UK and the lender:

Time in UK	Typical minimum deposit
Less than 6 months	Specialist lenders only, often 25%+
6 to 12 months	15–25% with mainstream lenders
12 to 24 months	10–15% with most mainstream lenders
24 months+	5–10% (95% LTV deals selectively available)

The deposit can usually come from:

• UK savings (current accounts, ISAs, savings accounts).
• Overseas savings transferred to the UK — most lenders accept this with source-of-funds documentation.
• A gift from a family member — accepted by most lenders with a signed gifted-deposit letter.

What lenders are cautious about:

• Deposits from a country with US, EU or UK sanctions exposure.
• Deposits that appear in your UK account within days of the mortgage application — they want a paper trail showing the money is genuinely yours.

A common approach for new arrivals: transfer overseas savings to a UK account 3–6 months before applying, so the funds “season” in the UK account.

How much can I borrow on a Skilled Worker visa?

The borrowing maximum is broadly the same as for UK citizens: 4 to 4.5× gross income with mainstream lenders, up to 5–5.5× for higher earners or specialist lenders.

What counts as income for Skilled Worker applicants:

• Base salary — fully counted.
• Bonuses and commission — typically 50–100% of recent year, depending on regularity.
• Allowances (housing, car) — varies by lender; some count, some don’t.
• Joint applicant income — fully counted, but both applicants are assessed.
• Foreign income — most mainstream lenders don’t count it, but a few specialists do. See our overseas income article.

How long does my visa need to be valid?

Lenders take different views, but a common pattern:

• At least 6 months remaining — minimum threshold for most mainstream lenders.
• 12+ months remaining — preferred; more lenders to choose from.
• 2+ years remaining — full mainstream market.
• Visa expires within 6 months and not yet extended — most mainstream lenders will decline; specialists may help.

If you’re close to a renewal, it’s often worth waiting until the renewal is processed before applying — the new visa gives lenders certainty.

Credit history is critical

Most UK lenders run a credit check via Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the things lenders look for:

• UK address history of at least 6–12 months on the electoral roll or via address records at credit agencies.
• At least one UK financial product (current account, credit card, mobile contract) showing on-time repayment history.
• No missed payments, defaults, CCJs or bankruptcies in the last 6 years.

If you arrived in the UK recently, your credit file is thin or empty. Lenders treat “no credit history” cautiously — they can’t see whether you’re a good or bad payer. Building UK credit before applying for a mortgage is one of the highest-leverage things newer arrivals can do.

See our building UK credit from scratch guide for the specifics.

Are mortgage rates the same for Skilled Worker visa holders?

In most cases, yes. The lender’s rate sheets are based on LTV (loan-to-value), term and product type — not on immigration status. A 90% LTV 5-year fix priced at 4.45% is offered at that rate to UK citizens, ILR holders and Skilled Worker visa holders alike, provided the application meets the lender’s criteria.

The difference appears when you fall outside mainstream criteria — for instance, very short UK history or self-employment on a visa — and need a specialist lender. Specialist rates can be 0.5–1.5 percentage points higher.

Can I get a Help to Buy or shared ownership mortgage on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, in principle:

• Help to Buy — the equity loan scheme closed to new applicants in March 2023. If you’re an existing borrower, the rules continue. New buyers can’t use the scheme.
• Shared ownership — most housing associations and shared-ownership providers accept visa holders. The mortgage portion is provided by a participating lender with standard visa criteria. The shared-ownership provider may have its own additional rules.
• Lifetime ISA — if you’re aged 18–39 and UK resident, you can use a LISA toward a first-home deposit. See our first-time buyer route map.

Common reasons a Skilled Worker visa application is declined

A few patterns:

1. Too little UK history. Fewer than 6 months in the UK is hard to overcome with mainstream lenders.
2. Thin credit file. Even with 12+ months in the UK, applicants with no UK current account or credit card may not score well.
3. Probation period. Some lenders won’t lend until you’ve passed probation; others count income from day one.
4. Visa near expiry, not yet renewed. Lenders prefer to see the renewal in hand.
5. Foreign-currency income only. Most lenders need GBP salary.
6. Overseas debts that don’t show on UK credit files but are declared on the application.
7. Self-employed via Skilled Worker route — technically you’re sponsored employment, so this is mostly a non-issue, but income outside the sponsoring employer can complicate matters.

Worked example: Skilled Worker visa, 14 months in UK, £65k salary

Priya is on a Skilled Worker visa, has been in the UK 14 months, earns £65,000, has £45,000 saved. She wants to buy a £350,000 property.

Position:

• 14 months UK history — meets most mainstream lenders.
• Has UK current account and a UK credit card paid in full for 12 months.
• Recently registered on the electoral roll (eligible because she has settled status due to family route).
• Visa has 3.5 years remaining.

Borrowing:

• LTI 4.5× = £292,500 maximum.
• Property £350,000 − Deposit £45,000 = £305,000 mortgage. Slightly above her LTI max.
• She could borrow £292,500 with a £57,500 deposit (16.4% LTV), or borrow £305,000 if a lender goes to 4.7×.
• Stress-tested at 8%, £292,500 over 30 years = ~£2,150/month. Affordable on £65k gross.

Likely outcome: mainstream lender approval at 85% LTV with a 5-year fix at then-current rates, no specialist lender needed.

If Priya had only been in the UK 4 months, she’d need a specialist lender or to wait to build more UK history.

Internal links

• Can I get a mortgage on a visa in the UK?
• Can I get a mortgage with ILR?
• Can I use overseas income for a UK mortgage?

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This guide is information, not regulated financial advice. UK mortgages are regulated by the FCA — speak to a regulated mortgage adviser or broker before applying. Lender criteria for visa holders changes regularly; verify with the lender at the time of application.