On a UK visa and contracting? A mortgage is within reach.
You don't always need indefinite leave to remain to buy in the UK. Several lenders accept Skilled Worker and other visa holders, and specialist contract-based lenders will assess your day rate rather than demand years of UK accounts. The variables are your visa type, time left in the UK, deposit and credit footprint — all of which we match to the right lender. As a whole-of-market, FCA-authorised brokerage, we place foreign national contractors every week.
- Assessed onDay rateYour current contract, not years of accounts
- Income multiple~4.5×Applied to annualised income
- Annualised over46 weeksSix-week buffer for gaps/holidays
- AdviceWhole-of-marketDirectly FCA authorised
What lenders look at for visa holders
Lenders weigh your visa type and remaining validity, length of UK residence, deposit size (often 10–25% for visa holders, sometimes 5%), and UK credit history. Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2), Health and Care, and settled/pre-settled EU status are widely accepted; the fewer years you've been here, the more the deposit matters.
Contractor income on a visa
As a contractor you can usually borrow on your annualised day rate via contract-based underwriting — see what is contract-based underwriting? and the 46-week rule. Combined with a visa-friendly lender, this lets you buy without a long UK accounts history.
Building a strong application
A larger deposit, a clean UK credit record (even a short one helps), and time remaining on your visa all widen your options. We'll tell you exactly which lenders fit your status today and how to strengthen the case if it's worth waiting a few months.
What you'll usually need
- Passport and visa/BRP (or share code for status)
- Evidence of UK residence and address history
- Current contract and CV
- Deposit evidence and bank statements
- UK credit footprint where available
Estimate your borrowing
Use the contractor mortgage calculator, then speak to an adviser who will check visa-specific criteria.
Lenders that accept visa-holders — a selection
Lender guides: Halifax · Barclays · HSBC · NatWest · Nationwide · Accord · Clydesdale · Yorkshire BS · Kensington See how we place cases →
What a five-day contract supports
£115,000 × 4.5 = £517,500 indicative borrowing
The 46-week year leaves a buffer for holidays and gaps between contracts — so the figure is sustainable, not optimistic.
Foreign National Contractor Mortgages, answered
Can I get a mortgage on a Skilled Worker visa?+
Yes. Several lenders accept Skilled Worker (Tier 2) and similar visas, and contractors can borrow on their day rate — usually with a deposit of around 10–25%, sometimes less.
Do I need indefinite leave to remain?+
No. ILR widens choice, but many lenders accept time-limited visas, especially with a reasonable deposit and some UK residence.
How big a deposit will I need?+
Often 10–25% for visa holders, though a stronger profile or longer UK history can reduce this, occasionally to 5%.
I have little UK credit history — is that a problem?+
It narrows choice but rarely blocks you. Some lenders accept thin files, particularly with a larger deposit and stable contracting.
Can my day rate be used instead of accounts?+
Yes. Contract-based lenders annualise your day rate, so a long UK accounts history isn't essential.