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Am I Ready for a Mortgage? Readiness Check for Visa Holders
Answer 8 quick questions about your job, visa, deposit and credit. You'll see straight away whether you look mortgage-ready, and get a personal checklist of anything to sort before you apply.
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The 8 things lenders check before you apply
Visa holders can get a mortgage in the UK without indefinite leave to remain. What decides how many lenders you can choose from, and how quickly an application goes through, is how you look on these eight points.
- 1
Employment
Lenders need income they can verify and expect to continue. Most want you past probation, or with a few months in the role; self-employed applicants usually need two years of accounts.
- 2
Time left on visa
Many lenders set a minimum time left on your visa (often 6 to 12 months) so the loan isn't assessed against a visa about to expire. ILR or settled status removes this check entirely.
- 3
Deposit
Visa-friendly lenders typically start at a 5–10% deposit, and a bigger deposit opens up more lenders and better rates. You also need money for fees, surveys and Stamp Duty.
- 4
Deposit source
Anti-money-laundering rules mean every lender checks where your deposit came from. Savings held in the UK for three months or more are simplest; overseas funds and gifts need a paper trail.
- 5
UK credit history
Lenders score you on your UK credit file. New arrivals often have a thin file (not a bad one), which some lenders accept and others don't.
- 6
Credit problems
Missed payments, defaults and CCJs stay on your file for six years. Older or settled issues matter less, but recent ones narrow the lender choice.
- 7
Monthly credit repayments
Affordability is worked out after your monthly credit repayments. The more you already owe each month, the less a lender will offer.
- 8
Documents
Having your passport, Home Office share code, payslips, bank statements, proof of deposit and credit report ready is what turns a quote into a full application quickly.
Documents you'll need for a visa mortgage
Getting these together early is the simplest way to become mortgage-ready. Your adviser will confirm anything extra your visa route or lender needs.
- Passport, plus your Home Office share code
- Last 4 months’ payslips (or 2 years’ accounts / SA302s if self-employed)
- Last 4 months’ bank statements, including the account holding your deposit
- Proof of deposit
- Your credit report
- Proof of address for the last 3 years
- A gifted-deposit letter, if family are helping with the deposit
Mortgage readiness: common questions
How do I know if I am ready for a mortgage as a visa holder?
You are usually ready when you have stable, provable income, enough time left on your visa for lenders on your route, a deposit of at least 5% held in a UK account, a UK credit history with no recent missed payments, and your documents to hand. Our free readiness check walks through each of these in about two minutes.
Do I need ILR to get a mortgage in the UK?
No. Many UK lenders offer mortgages to people on visas such as Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent and Health and Care Worker without indefinite leave to remain. ILR widens the choice of lenders, but it is not a requirement.
How much time do I need left on my visa?
It depends on the lender. Some want 6 to 12 months remaining, others will lend with less if you are on a route to settlement. If your extension is due soon, an adviser can tell you whether to apply now or after it is granted.
Can I get a mortgage with no UK credit history?
It is harder but not impossible. A thin credit file is common for people who have recently moved to the UK, and some lenders accept a limited history. Building it up with a credit card or phone contract paid on time for a few months widens your options.
Can I use a deposit held overseas or gifted by family?
Usually yes, but lenders must see where the money came from. Move overseas savings to a UK account early and keep statements from both banks. A family gift needs a signed gifted-deposit letter, the giver’s ID and proof of their funds.
Does the readiness check affect my credit score?
No. The check only uses the answers you give. It does not search your credit file and leaves no footprint. It is a guide, not a mortgage offer or decision in principle.
Ready, or nearly there?
A free consultation with a visa-mortgage specialist is the quickest way to turn your checklist into an application.
- Access to a range of mortgage lenders
- Specialists in mortgages for visa holders
- No obligation
This check is a guide based on your answers. It is not a mortgage offer, a decision in principle or financial advice. Lenders make their decision after a full application.