95% Visa Mortgage with 5% deposit to buy

Published 3 January 2017 · Last reviewed 1 May 2026

Foreign National Mortgages – 5% deposit for Visa Applicants to help get a 95% Visa Mortgage NOT under Help to buy.

Well what a wonderful way to kick off 2017 a brand new facility for 95% Visa Mortgage for foreign national applicants on a Visa, thats right a Mortgage with 5% deposit for Visa Applicants! The Visa must provide the ability to “work” to the applicant as the mortgage will need to be serviced.

So what does this mean? See the table below which gives you an idea of the deposit needed (provided your status is acceptable to the Lender).

What can the 5% Foreign National Deposit consist of?

The 5% deposit can be funded by the following:

Dividend from a UK company.
Gift from a family member who is related to at least one of the applicants by: birth; blood; marriage; civil partnership; step children; adopted children; in-laws; as ‘Common Law’ partners or co-habitees.
Sale of property.
The proceeds can originate in the UK or from abroad (certain countries may be excluded).

The deposit cannot come from borrowing elsewhere.

Alternative Solutions

If the deposit can be increased to 90% then we can also help the following:

Spousal Visa applicants (call for details).
Student Visa applicants purchasing with another applicant who holds either s Tier 1 Visa; Tier 2 Visa or has permanent rights to remain in the UK.
Refugee Visa purchasing with another applicant who has permanent rights to remain in the UK.

For more criteria information on Mortgage with a Visa please click here.

Foreign national 95% Visa Mortgages — frequently asked questions

Straight answers from a whole-of-market mortgage broker.

Can foreign nationals on a visa really get a 95% LTV mortgage in the UK?

Yes, in specific circumstances. A small number of specialist building societies and lenders offer 95% LTV mortgages to foreign nationals on appropriate visas, where the applicant has the right to work in the UK and meets the lender’s residency, income, and credit criteria. The product range is narrower than for ILR holders, but it does exist.

What types of visa qualify for the 95% LTV scheme?

Visas that grant the right to work and have meaningful time remaining typically qualify. Skilled Worker, Spouse, Tier 2 (Health and Care Worker), and ILR-track visas are most often accepted. Student visas and short-duration visas are usually outside the 95% LTV scheme and may require a higher deposit (90% LTV or below).

How long do I need to have lived in the UK before applying?

Lenders typically look for a minimum UK address history of two to three years, although some specialist lenders accept shorter histories where the visa and income profile is strong. The amount of time remaining on the visa often matters more than the time already in the UK — most lenders prefer at least two years of visa remaining.

Can my deposit come from overseas?

Yes, in most cases. The deposit can originate from your home country, provided source-of-funds evidence is clear (sale of property, savings, family gift documented appropriately). Some lenders restrict deposits from specific countries due to anti-money-laundering rules, so the country of origin matters. A broker can map this against the current lender appetite.

What if my visa has less than 2 years to run?

The lender pool narrows significantly when visa time remaining is under 2 years, but does not disappear entirely. A small number of specialist lenders accept applicants with less time remaining provided the renewal probability is high and the income, employer, and credit profile are strong. The deposit requirement may be higher in these cases.

Do specialist lenders accept day-rate or contractor income on a visa?

Yes — but the lender shortlist depends on the specific contract structure and history. IT contractors on Skilled Worker visas with at least 9–12 months of contract history at the current rate are typically accepted by specialist lenders that use a day-rate income formula. Other contracting structures may be assessed differently.

Can I use family gifts as my 5% deposit?

Yes — gifts from immediate family (parents, siblings, in-laws, civil partners) are generally acceptable to most lenders. The gift must be unconditional (not a loan), and a signed gifted deposit letter from the gifter is required. Where the gifter is overseas, additional source-of-funds evidence may be needed depending on the country and amount.

Will I be eligible if I’m on a Spouse Visa or Tier 4 / Student Visa?

Spouse Visa applicants are typically accepted by 95% LTV foreign-national products provided the income and credit profile meets the lender’s criteria — joint applications with a UK-settled spouse can broaden the lender shortlist further. Tier 4 / Student Visa applicants generally require a higher deposit (typically 10% or above) and joint application with a settled or Tier 2 partner.

What’s the difference between this and Help-to-Buy?

Help-to-Buy was a UK government scheme that ended for new applications in March 2023. The 95% Visa Mortgage products described here are standard high-LTV mortgages from specialist lenders, not part of any government scheme — eligibility depends on the lender’s commercial criteria rather than scheme rules.

What if I have minor adverse credit?

Minor historic adverse credit (small defaults or CCJs over 2 years old, now satisfied) does not necessarily disqualify a 95% LTV foreign-national application, but it narrows the lender pool further. Recent or unsatisfied adverse credit typically requires a higher deposit. See our Foreign National Bad Credit Mortgage page for more on adverse credit cases.

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