Foreign Nationals

Guide to mortgages for foreign nationals

At a glance

We’re increasing the range of visas we'll accept to give your customers greater options when it comes to buying a property: 

  • Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visas, Health & Care Worker visas and individuals with Pre-Settled Status are accepted up to 90% LTV with three years UK address history. 
  • Spousal visas are accepted up to 90% LTV with three years UK address history, where supported by another applicant who is eligible to be a sole applicant in their own right. 
  • Dependent visas are accepted up to 90% LTV with three years UK address history, where supported by a Skilled Worker applicant.
  • Foreign nationals with three years UK address history applying for shared ownership are supported up to 95% of the borrowers share of the property for houses and 85% of the borrowers share of the property for flats including new build. 

  • You’ll need to add the clients visa type in the notes section as soon as you have completed the DIP.

 * These criteria points are only available to those applying for a specialist Foreign National product.

What you need to do when applying:

  • To begin with, please contact your BDM to help guide you through the process if you’re unsure.
  • If your client is on a Health & Care Worker visa or Spousal/Dependent visa you’ll need to select Skilled Worker visa and note the correct visa type in the note section.
  • At product selection, you need to select a ‘Foreign Nationals’ product. If any of the applicants are foreign nationals, core products will not be approved. Selecting a core product will delay the process.
  • You’ll need to add your client’s visa type in the notes section before the application is placed.
  • Once the DIP is accepted, push the DIP through to ‘DIP Illustration Produced’ in order for the DIP to be secured by logging into the portal and clicking PROCEED once.
  • Once the FMA is accepted, push the application through to submission by logging into the portal and clicking PROCEED.
  • At both DIP and FMA stage, the case will be referred to our specialist underwriters. This will also occur if you make any amendments once the DIP has been approved. But don't worry, this is our standard process.
  • The DIP will be reviewed by an underwriter, and an answer will be relayed back to you by email within 24 hours.
  • Everything else will follow the standard process for your client. Below you’ll find answers to our frequently asked questions.

Your key questions answered:

I cannot see my clients visa type on the list what do I need to select?

If the visa is on our new approved list, then you should select Skilled Worker visa and add a note to the case to specify exactly what the visa type is e.g. Health & Care Worker visa app 1: Spousal visa app 2.

Can the deposit be gifted?

Yes, the deposit can be gifted as per our standard criteria. Read our Lending and Security Guidelines - WBFI.

My client is on a Spousal visa, can they apply in their sole name?

This would be outside of policy for us, as we need the application to be supported by another applicant who is eligible to be a sole applicant in their own right. That is: a UK national, or an applicant with Indefinite Leave to Remain / Enter (ILR/ILE), Settled Status (SS), Pre-Settled Status (PSS), or on a Skilled Worker (SWV) or Health and Care Worker visa (HCWV). 

What rates are applicable for my clients?

If any of the applicants are classed as a foreign national, then you'll need to choose a specific product labelled ‘Foreign Nationals’. This also includes for shared ownership and new build applications. If you choose a product from our standard range, you'll be asked to change this to a foreign national product as part of the application process.

For more information on our foreign nationals criteria, please see our FAQs and general information.