Can I Get a Mortgage with ILR? (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

Yes. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) holders are treated essentially the same as UK citizens by every major UK mortgage lender. There’s no expiry on ILR (provided you don’t spend more than two years outside the UK), so lenders treat ILR holders as long-term UK residents with no visa-related uncertainty. Standard mortgage criteria apply: deposit of 5–25%, lender stress-tested affordability, and a UK credit file with a clean history.

This is what the mainstream lender market actually offers ILR holders, with 2026/27 criteria.

What is ILR and why does it matter for mortgages?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (sometimes called “settlement”) is the immigration status that gives you the right to live and work in the UK without time restrictions. It’s usually granted after 5 years on a qualifying visa route (Skilled Worker, Spouse, Family, Global Talent, etc.) or after long residence.

Unlike a visa, ILR doesn’t expire. It can be lost if you spend more than two consecutive years outside the UK, but otherwise it’s effectively permanent.

For mortgage purposes, ILR removes the lender concern about “what happens if your visa isn’t renewed”. Mainstream lenders treat ILR holders identically to UK citizens for:

• LTI multiples (typically 4–4.5× gross income).
• Deposit thresholds (95% LTV deals accessible).
• Interest rates (no premium).
• Product range (full mainstream menu).

The biometric residence permit (BRP) or your eVisa is the evidence of ILR that lenders ask for.

Do I need to be a UK citizen to get the best mortgage rates?

No. The interest rate you’re offered is based on:

• Loan-to-value (LTV) — the deposit you put down.
• Term length — typically 25 to 35 years.
• Product type — fixed vs tracker vs variable, and the length of the fix.
• Credit profile — your UK credit score.

None of these are affected by citizenship vs ILR. A UK citizen and an ILR holder with the same deposit, term and credit profile will be offered the same rate.

The only slight difference is how the lender records you in their system — but this doesn’t change pricing.

How much deposit do I need with ILR?

Standard market access:

Deposit %	Available to ILR holders
5% (95% LTV)	Yes, with most mainstream lenders
10% (90% LTV)	Yes, full mainstream market
15% (85% LTV)	Yes, full mainstream market
25%+ (75% LTV)	Yes, best rates available

The 95% LTV market is selective — even UK citizens face stricter affordability and credit checks at this LTV — but ILR holders compete on the same terms as UK citizens.

A few common deposit sources accepted:

• UK savings in current accounts, ISAs, savings accounts.
• A gift from a family member — accepted by virtually all lenders with a gifted-deposit letter.
• Equity from selling a previous UK home.
• Overseas savings transferred to the UK — with source-of-funds documentation. A 3–6 month “seasoning” period in the UK account is usually preferred.
• Help to Buy ISA / Lifetime ISA proceeds (if held and within scheme rules).

How long does my UK credit history need to be?

Most lenders want at least 12 months of UK address history on the electoral roll or via credit reference agency records, and at least one UK financial product showing on-time repayment.

For ILR holders who’ve been in the UK for 5+ years (the typical route to ILR), this is almost always satisfied:

• 5+ years of UK address history on the electoral roll.
• UK bank account(s), often multiple.
• UK credit card(s) and/or mobile phone contract showing payment history.

For ILR holders who came via the Long Residence route after 10 years on various visas, the file is typically deep and lenders see no issues.

The case where ILR alone isn’t enough is when an applicant has been outside the UK for a long stretch within the ILR period — gaps in credit history can be an issue. The fix is usually to wait a few months while UK activity resumes and the file rebuilds.

Can I use my ILR documentation when applying?

Yes, and lenders specifically ask for it. The standard documents are:

• BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) — the older card-based proof of ILR.
• eVisa share code — the new digital format being rolled out from 2024/25.
• A “No Time Limit” (NTL) document for older grants.

Some lenders also ask for the original ILR letter from the Home Office. Most accept the BRP / eVisa alone.

If you’re unsure of your ILR documentation status (paper documents being phased out), the gov.uk eVisa page explains how to access the digital version.

How does income work for ILR holders?

Standard UK criteria apply:

• 4 to 4.5× gross annual income with mainstream lenders.
• Some lenders stretch to 5–5.5× for higher earners, professionals (doctors, accountants, lawyers), or specific products.
• Joint applications use combined income.
• Bonuses, commission and overtime typically counted at 50–100% depending on regularity.
• Self-employment usually requires 2+ years of UK tax returns or SA302 forms.

A higher-earning ILR holder is often eligible for the professional mortgage products that some lenders offer — higher LTI multiples (5–5.5×) for specific qualifying occupations. These aren’t restricted to UK citizens.

What about credit scoring for ILR holders?

Credit scoring uses the same UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) regardless of citizenship. What the lender sees:

• Your electoral roll registration (helps for credit scoring, but only for UK citizens, Irish citizens, EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status, and certain Commonwealth citizens — see gov.uk: register to vote).
• Your financial products — accounts, cards, loans — and the repayment history on each.
• Any defaults, CCJs, IVAs or bankruptcies in the last 6 years.
• Your address history at credit-reference-checked addresses.

ILR holders who’ve been here 5+ years generally have files that look identical to UK citizens. The only structural difference is that ILR holders may not be on the electoral roll if they’re not from an eligible Commonwealth country — but this is a minor scoring factor compared to actual financial behaviour.

Worked example: ILR holder, joint application, £450k property

Anu and Sam both have ILR (Anu via Skilled Worker route, Sam via Family/Spouse route, both granted in 2023). Combined gross income £95,000. Deposit £45,000. Want to buy a £450,000 property.

LTV: £450,000 − £45,000 = £405,000 mortgage. £405,000 / £450,000 = 90% LTV. LTI: £95,000 × 4.5 = £427,500 maximum. £405,000 is within range. Stress test at 8%: monthly payment on £405,000 over 30 years ≈ £2,972/month. Affordable on £95k gross.

Likely outcome:

• Mainstream high-street lender approval at 90% LTV.
• Standard 5-year fix at then-current 90% LTV rates.
• No specialist lender needed.
• Standard application fees and conveyancing.

Anu and Sam are treated identically to a UK-citizen couple with the same income, deposit and credit profile.

When ILR doesn’t change anything

For practical mortgage purposes, ILR and UK citizenship are equivalent. The only situations where the distinction matters:

• Voting in general elections — ILR holders can’t (unless they’re Commonwealth or Irish citizens).
• Some employment in restricted sectors (intelligence services, certain civil service) — irrelevant for mortgages.
• Time outside the UK — losing ILR after 2 years abroad has no immediate mortgage impact unless you’re applying as a non-resident.

For mortgages, the lender simply needs to see evidence of ILR. The pricing, products and process are identical to UK citizens.

Internal links

• Can I get a mortgage on a visa in the UK?
• Can I get a mortgage on a skilled worker visa?
• How much can I borrow on my salary UK?

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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.