Tier Two Visa Mortgage

Podcast approved by The Openwork Partnership on 20/05/2025

What is a Tier Two visa?

The Tier Two visa was formally replaced by the skilled worker visa on 1 December 2020. It was a UK immigration category for skilled workers with a job offer in the UK, sponsored by a licensed employer.

This visa route was intended to address gaps in the UK labour market by allowing foreign workers to fill roles that could not be readily filled locally.

How do I qualify for a mortgage with a Tier Two visa in the UK?

To qualify for a mortgage with a Tier Two or skilled worker visa in the UK you typically need to have at least 12 months remaining on your visa, a good credit history, sufficient income and UK residency.

Many lenders also prefer applicants to have been in the UK for at least two years, although some may consider shorter periods depending on the individual circumstances.

Can self-employed individuals get a mortgage on a Tier Two visa in the UK?

Yes. Self-employed individuals with a Tier Two visa can apply for a mortgage in the UK. However, the criteria for self-employed individuals are typically more stringent than for those who are employed.

Lenders will require evidence of sufficient income from the last two years of business accounts and self-assessment tax returns. Additionally, they will assess your deposit, credit history and other factors.

Most lenders also require you to have been self-employed for at least a year, but some may prefer two years to verify a reliable income stream. This is exactly the same as if you are employed on a Tier Two visa.

You need to provide two years of business accounts and self-assessment tax returns. Lenders typically require at least 12 months of UK residency so that you have built a credit history and a stable living situation.

Your deposit amount will significantly impact the availability and terms for your mortgage. Some lenders will have higher deposit requirements for Tier Two visa holders and may consider how much time remains on your visa.

Getting a mortgage as a self-employed individual is possible, but may involve more effort to meet lenders’ requirements, particularly in demonstrating a reliable income stream and having a solid track record of business activity.

Is it necessary to have a certain amount for a deposit when applying for a mortgage with a Tier Two visa?

A deposit is generally required for a mortgage with a Tier Two Visa in the UK. The amount can vary depending on how long you’ve been in the UK and the lender’s specific requirements.

Some lenders might accept as little as 5%, but a 25% deposit is often the minimum required, especially for those who have been in the UK for a short period of time. The main factors influencing deposit requirements are time in the UK and remaining visa time.

What is the minimum and maximum amount one can borrow on a mortgage with a Tier Two visa?

It really depends on your individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria. Generally speaking, lenders offer a mortgage based on a multiple of your annual income – often between four and five times or even as much as 5.5 times.

There’s no strict minimum, and the maximum can vary widely. Some lenders set limits of £600,000 or £1 million, while others may offer more.

Additionally, lenders usually have a Loan to Value limit, which is the percentage of the property value that they will lend. The most important factor is how much you earn and how much deposit you would be able to put into your property.

What documents are required for a Tier Two visa mortgage application?

You need the standard documents required for any mortgage – plus additional documents to demonstrate your visa status and right to work in the UK. This includes proof of identity, residency, income and deposit as well as your visa documents and passport.

For proof of address, you could use recent bank statements, utility bills or council tax statements. Proof of income is usually pay slips for the last three to six months or tax returns for a year, with tax year overviews if you’re self-employed.

For proof of deposit you usually need bank statements showing the origin of your deposit funds. To prove your Tier Two visa, you will need a passport, ideally a certificate of sponsorship and proof of your right to live in the UK, all of which will verify your immigration status. Proof of intent to stay could be also insisted by lenders.

If you have dependents on your visa, you may need to provide marriage or birth certificates. We may also need financial documents to demonstrate your overall financial situation, including monthly outgoings and any other debts.

How long does the Tier Two visa mortgage process take from application to approval?

There’s no specific period of time. Usually the time from application to approval is between one and four working days, if all documentation is provided. It can vary depending on the lender and the complexity of the application – potentially taking up to 10 working days where lenders extra identity checks and property valuations are involved.

Is there anything else we need to know about mortgages on a Tier Two visa?

As always, we would strongly advise people to speak to a mortgage advisor first. We can look at your chances to get the mortgage and what options are available.

It might be that you will need to make some preparations first – we will guide you accordingly, and that initial financial initial advice is always free of charge.

YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 20/05/2025.