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Intra-Company Transfer Visa Mortgage UK: The Complete 2026 Guide to Deposits, Lenders and Eligibility

A complete guide for Intra-Company Transfer (Senior or Specialist Worker) visa holders buying a UK home - deposits, income, visa limits and lenders, explained clearly.

Visa Mortgages Team· FCA registered5 min read
Intra-Company Transfer Visa Mortgage UK

Key Takeaways

  • Intra-Company Transfer visa holders - now formally the Senior or Specialist Worker route - can get a UK mortgage, and a high salary threshold works strongly in your favour with most lenders.
  • Unlike many other work visas, this route doesn't lead directly to settlement, so lenders pay closer attention to your visa's remaining time and any plan to switch onto a settlement route.
  • Deposits often sit in the 20–25% range, though strong income and a longer remaining assignment can bring this down with the right lender.
  • If part of your income is paid overseas or in a different currency, this needs to be evidenced carefully - some lenders discount or "haircut" non-UK income.

Can You Get a Mortgage on an Intra-Company Transfer Visa?

Yes. If you're in the UK on an Intra-Company Transfer visa - now officially the Senior or Specialist Worker route under the Global Business Mobility framework - you can get a UK mortgage. This route is designed for senior managers and specialists transferred to a UK entity by their overseas employer, and it comes with a notably high salary threshold, currently £52,500 or the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher.

That salary floor is one of the strongest points in your favour with lenders. However, this visa has a feature that sets it apart from most other work visas covered in this series: it doesn't lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain. Holders are capped at a maximum stay of 5 years in any 6-year period (9 years in 10 for high earners on £73,900 or more), and settlement only becomes possible by switching onto a different route, such as Skilled Worker.

Good to know

Intra-Company Transfer visa holders are exempt from the English language requirement that applies to most other work visas, and some may remain partly on an overseas payroll during their UK assignment. Both of these are useful to flag early to your mortgage adviser, as they shape which lenders are the right fit.

The Deposit: What You'll Actually Need

Deposit requirements for this visa category are shaped less by income - which is often strong - and more by the visa's fixed, capped nature.

20–25% deposit - This is the range most lenders will expect for a sole applicant, reflecting the visa's temporary assignment structure rather than any concern about affordability.

15% deposit or below - Achievable in some cases, particularly with several years remaining on the visa, a long track record with the same multinational employer, or a joint application with a partner who holds ILR, settled status, or British citizenship.

Above 25% - More likely where the remaining visa term is short, income includes a significant overseas or non-GBP component, or there's no clear plan to switch onto a longer-term visa route before this one expires.

A strong salary gets you in the door, but with this visa it's the plan for what happens after the assignment that often decides which lenders will say yes.

Why the Lack of a Direct Settlement Route Matters

This is the single biggest difference between an Intra-Company Transfer mortgage application and one on a route like Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker. Because this visa is capped and doesn't lead to ILR on its own, lenders want reassurance about your position once the assignment or cap is reached.

Applicants who can show a realistic intention to switch onto the Skilled Worker route, or who are early in a long-term UK posting with several years remaining, are generally viewed more favourably than those applying very close to the visa's cap with no clear next step.

Adviser tip

If your employer has indicated they'd support a switch to a Skilled Worker sponsorship once your Intra-Company Transfer assignment progresses, gather that evidence early - even an informal statement of intent from your employer can meaningfully strengthen how a specialist lender views your application.

Overseas Income and Currency Considerations

Because this route is built around transferring existing staff from an overseas entity, some applicants are paid partly or wholly through an overseas payroll, sometimes in a different currency. This is manageable, but it needs the right lender.

Most mainstream lenders want to see your income paid into a UK bank account in GBP. Where income is paid overseas or in another currency, some lenders will still consider it, but typically apply a "haircut" - discounting the recognised income by a percentage - to account for currency fluctuation risk. Getting your UK-based salary formalised through UK payroll, where possible, generally simplifies the mortgage process considerably.

Building UK Credit History as an Intra-Company Transfer Visa Holder

Even with a strong, high-value role, a thin UK credit file is a common reason applications take longer than they should - and one of the easiest things to address early.

Practical steps that make a genuine difference

  1. Register on the electoral roll at your current address as soon as you're eligible.
  2. Open and actively use a UK bank account, ideally the one your UK salary is paid into.
  3. Take out a UK credit card and repay it in full every month by direct debit.
  4. Set up direct debits for regular bills - utilities, phone contracts, subscriptions.
  5. Check your credit report through one of the main UK credit reference agencies and correct any errors before you apply.

International credit history generally doesn't transfer to the UK, so this applies even to senior professionals with an excellent financial record built up abroad.

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How Much Can You Borrow?

Income multiples for Intra-Company Transfer visa holders are broadly in line with the rest of the market - typically four to five times annual income - and given the high salary threshold attached to this route, many applicants are working with a considerably larger borrowing base than other visa categories from the outset.

If part of your compensation includes bonuses, allowances, or benefits tied to the assignment, make sure these are clearly documented, as treatment varies significantly by lender - some will include a proportion of regular bonus income, others will not.

Documents You'll Need

Your document checklist

  1. Valid passport and your digital immigration status (share code) confirming your Senior or Specialist Worker visa
  2. Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference and evidence of the linked UK and overseas entities
  3. Latest three to six months of payslips, in GBP where possible
  4. Your UK employment contract or assignment letter
  5. Three months of UK bank statements
  6. Proof of deposit and, where relevant, a gifted deposit letter confirming the source of funds
  7. A current UK credit report

Avoid this costly mistake

Applying too close to the visa's stay cap with no switching plan evidenced, assuming overseas income will be accepted at full face value by every lender, and approaching a generic high-street bank unfamiliar with the Global Business Mobility framework are the most common - and most costly - mistakes. A single unsuccessful application can leave a mark on your credit file before you've found the right lender.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a mortgage if my Intra-Company Transfer visa doesn't lead to settlement?

Yes. Many lenders will still consider your application, particularly with a strong salary and several years remaining on your visa. Some prefer to see evidence of a plan to switch to a settlement route, such as Skilled Worker, closer to the cap.

Will my overseas salary be accepted in full?

Not always. Some lenders apply a discount, or "haircut", to income paid overseas or in a foreign currency, to account for currency risk. Where possible, having your UK role paid through UK payroll in GBP simplifies the assessment considerably.

Do I need a bigger deposit on this visa than a Skilled Worker visa?

Often, yes. Because the route is capped and doesn't lead directly to settlement, many lenders ask for a higher deposit - commonly 20–25% - though this can come down with a strong income profile, more time remaining on the visa, or a joint application with a settled partner.

What happens if I switch from Intra-Company Transfer to a Skilled Worker visa after buying a home?

Your existing mortgage isn't affected by a visa switch. If anything, moving onto a route with a clearer path to settlement can improve your options when you come to remortgage in the future.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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Use our free calculator for an instant snapshot of your borrowing potential, or book a consultation with our visa mortgage specialists.