Non Uk Clients Buying At 90 With Limited Time In The Uk

The client:
A couple purchasing their first home approached us looking for 90% loan-to-value borrowing. Both clients were foreign nationals without Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and had been in the UK for less than five years — circumstances that can often limit mortgage options.

 

The challenge:
Many lenders impose strict criteria for foreign nationals, typically requiring a minimum length of UK residency or specific visa status before considering higher loan-to-value applications. On the surface, this could have restricted the clients to specialist lenders with higher rates and limited product choice.

 

Key requirements:

• Secure a competitive 90% LTV mortgage despite visa restrictions

 

• Access a high street lender rather than a specialist

 

• Keep monthly repayments affordable over the long term

 

• Minimise upfront costs with a transparent fee structure

 

The solution:
By reviewing lender criteria in detail and assessing the clients’ strong income position, we identified a high street lender willing to make an exception. Their household income was comfortably above the threshold required, allowing us to proceed despite the shorter UK residency period. This provided access to mainstream pricing and terms not typically available in such circumstances.

 

The outcome:
The clients successfully purchased their first home with the following mortgage facility:

 

• Loan: £450,000
• Interest rate: 4.26% fixed
• Term: 35 years
• Monthly repayment: £2,067.17
• Arrangement fee: £999
• LTV: 90%

 

This outcome highlights how strong affordability can offset residency restrictions when handled strategically. By navigating lender criteria effectively, we secured a high street solution that delivered excellent value, enabling the clients to step onto the property ladder with confidence.