International & Expat · Mortgage
Residential mortgage secured for a non-UK national on a Skilled Worker visa with no indefinite leave to remain
A financial services professional from overseas had been working in London for two years on a Skilled Worker visa. He wanted to purchase rather than continue renting — but without indefinite leave to remain, most lenders would not consider his application at all.
Reviewed by Yazdaan Hussain · CeMAP qualified · LLB
1 June 2025
The Situation
Our client had relocated to London from overseas to take up a senior role at a financial services firm in the City. He had been in the UK for just over two years on a Skilled Worker visa, with more than three years remaining on his current leave. His income was strong, his credit position in his home country was clean and he had built a small but clean UK credit file since arriving. He wanted to purchase a two-bedroom flat in East London at £395,000 with a 15% deposit.
The Challenge
The majority of standard mortgage lenders require indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship. A Skilled Worker visa — even with several years remaining — falls outside their automated criteria and triggers a decline at DIP stage. The lenders who do consider visa holders typically apply a higher minimum deposit (often 25%), restrict the loan-to-value, and price the rate higher to reflect what they categorise as increased risk. The client's strong income and clean credit position counted for little once the visa type filtered him out of the mainstream market.
Our Approach
We targeted lenders with explicit, published Skilled Worker visa policies and a track record of offering competitive terms — rather than those who technically accept visa applications but in practice apply heavy restrictions. We verified the remaining visa length, the client's employer's licence status and the salary documentation requirements upfront, so the submission was complete on first contact. We also identified that one lender's policy allowed 85% LTV for Skilled Worker holders in certain employment categories — which the client's role qualified for — and structured the application around that product.
The Outcome
Mortgage offered at 85% LTV on competitive terms. The client purchased the flat. He has since obtained indefinite leave to remain and remortgaged onto a standard residential product at a lower rate.
Outcome
Mortgage offered at 85% LTV on competitive terms. The client purchased the flat. He has since obtained indefinite leave to remain and remortgaged onto a standard residential product at a lower rate.
This case study is anonymised. The outcome shown is specific to this client's individual circumstances and is not indicative of results in other cases. Your mortgage is not guaranteed until a formal offer is issued. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Lockhart Murphy Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- Skilled Worker visa
- foreign national
- no ILR
- international
- London
- visa mortgage
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