Mortgage options for Students on a Tier 4 Visa in the UK

This article is aimed at foreign students on a Tier 4 Visa who are in the UK who are looking to buy a property to live in financed by a mortgage.

These must be exciting times for you living and studying in the UK seen as one of the world’s premier countries for education. However, it is also an expensive place to live and paying rent is “dead money” as you have nothing to show for it.

Buying a property in the UK for many is pure fantasy. The prices are sky high and deposit requirements often too great.

To make matters worse mortgages for foreign students on a Visa is a poorly serviced sector by Mortgage Lenders unlike for their Tier 1 and Tier 2 Visa foreign compatriots.

To get an insight into whether you will be eligible for a mortgage for Students on a Tier 4 Visa read through the following frequently asked questions section below and speak to a foreign national mortgage expert such as Niche Advice.

Frequently asked questions on mortgage for Students on a Tier 4 Visa

Q) Does this article relate to Tier 4 general Visas for students?

A) Yes.

Q) What is the minimum amount of time need to be living in the UK to qualify for a student Visa mortgage?

A) Two years in total. They do not have to be the last two years or indeed two consecutive years.

Q) What is the minimum deposit for a mortgage for foreign students on a Visa.

A) 10% deposit. So if you are looking at buying a property for £150,000 you would need to put in £15,000 as a deposit.

Q) Do I need to put in the whole deposit myself or can others contribute towards my student Visa mortgage?

A) No, the Foreign National Mortgage Lenders will accept “gifts” from people strongly connected to you e.g. parents siblings, uncles, aunts and even good friends. The gift would need to be non-repayable and the donor cannot have a financial interest in the property.

Q) Can the deposit come from abroad on the mortgage for foreign students scheme?

A) Yes, including “gifts”; the key is to being able to justify the originating source of the funds e.g. if its land sold in India any legal documents that evidence this would be helpful.

Q) Is the deposit size restricted?

A) No, mortgage for foreign students on a Visa start from a minimum if £25,001. The chances are you’ve on a student visa this likely to your first home in the UK and as such scrutiny on the deposit will be greater as the proceeds will not be coming from a property sale which is a safest traceable form.

Q) Can crypto currency be used as the deposit?

A) This could be the originating source but it would need to be in a standard bank account ahead of applying for the mortgage.

Q) How is the affordability for the mortgage for foreign students assessed?

Q) If I'm on a Tier 4 Student Visa can I buy with someone else to improve the borrowing?

Q) Q) How many applicants can I buy with?

A) Up to 4 applicants can go on the mortgage however only the highest two earners will be used in the affordability calculation. Also, if you are thinking of grouping in with other students and putting locks on internal bedroom doors this might be problematic when you try to remortgage as the Foreign National Mortgage Lenders might not be clear that the property is solely residential and not part let.

Q) Can I have lodgers?

A) Normally the Foreign National Mortgage Lenders will allow lodgers provided the lodger number is equal or less than the applicant number however the income cannot be used towards the mortgage affordability.

Q) I have been given a bursary can this be used towards my mortgage affordability?

A) No, this money is meant for your study. It also is not ongoing regular income and a mortgage is a long term financial commitment that needs to be serviced by regular income throughout its duration.

Q) My parents have given me a large monthly allowance since I've been in the UK can this be used for mortgage affordability?

A) Yes.

Q) My job is an hours as required zero hours contract can this income be used for mortgage affordability?

A) Yes, potentially provided there has been regular work for the last 12 months, ideally with the same employer, and supported by payslips and bank credits. Ad hoc and casual work would not be usable.

Q) I work for a family business can I use the income towards my mortgage for foreign students?

) A Yes, the employer would need to be based in the UK and as a guide I would say a 6 month track record would be needed. All taxes will need to have been paid by you and the employer. Also you must be within the Visa restrictions on the number of hours you can work.

Q) Does the Country I originate from affect my chances of a Tier 4 student visa mortgage?

A) The Foreign National Mortgage Lenders do not have country restrictions. And, the fact you are here means you passed the Visa programmes own rules. Behind the scenes they may carry out extra checks on students from “Sanctioned Countries” particularly an eye on the deposit.

Q) Do I need to be able to read, write and understand English to qualify for the mortgages for foreign students scheme?

A) The Mortgage Lenders will not ask for qualification certificates or ask you to sit a test but it is strongly advisable that ALL applicants have a good grasp of English as a mortgage is a large financial commitment and you need to understand and appreciate the terms and your responsibilities. This should hopefully be a non-issue, as normally, as part of the Visa entrance programme a reasonable level of English comprehension is required.

Q) Are the interest rates higher for mortgages for Foreign Students?

A) A) There is very limited choice but the rates are competitive and the choice is normally good: two year trackers, term trackers, two, three, five and even on occasions ten year fixes.

Q) How old do I have to be to qualify for the mortgages for foreign students scheme?

A) I appreciate the Tier 4 Visa scheme is normally open to students from the age of 16 years however the Foreign National Mortgage Lenders will not grant mortgages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

Q) I’m a mature student do I still qualify for the mortgages for foreign students scheme?

A) Yes, mortgages are normally available to retirement age however the shorter the term the hasher the affordability requirements.

Q) Are buy-to-let mortgages available for Foreign Students?

A) In my opinion it is likely that you will need to buy with someone else who has a higher grade of Visa such as a Teir 1 or Teir 2 .

Selection of Fixed Rates

Deposit level	25% equity	15% equity	10% equity
Initial rate	2.45%	2.70%	2.85%
Subsequent reversionary rate	4.24%	4.24%	4.24%
The total amount you must pay back, including the amount borrowed is	£178,046.81	£196,270.31	£208,951.28
Overall cost of comparison APRC	4.0%	3.7%	3.8%
Type and initial benefit period	Fixed rate to 31/08/2024	Fixed rate to 31/08/2027	Fixed rate to 31/08/2027
Loan-to-value	75%	85%	90%
Lender valuation fee	Free	Free	Free
Lender booking fee	£Nil	£Nil	£Nil
Lender product fee	£Nil	£Nil	£Nil
Cashback from the Lender	£Nil	£Nil	£Nil
Basic legal costs	Payable	Payable	Payable
Our broker fee charge	From 0.5% of the loan size

WE DON’T HAVE TO MEET YOU

We can deal with all our clients by Phone, Whatsapp, Skype, Email and Post.

NOTES

* Rates as at 30/4/2022.
* Figures produced using Twenty7tec software.
* True Cost factors in the interest rate, mortgage set-up costs and any cashback rebates. It assumes the product fee is paid and is no greater than £2,500.
* The comparison is based on an assumed purchase price of £150,000 over a 25 year mortgage term.
* It looks at repayment method of “capital and Interest” for residential mortgages.
* Eligibility will depend on your own personal circumstances.

Health Warning

Your Property is at Risk if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments.

Niche Advice arranges mortgages and is not a Lender.

Author: Payam Azadi

Payam Azadi is a partner at Niche Advice who are whole of the market Independent Mortgage Brokers. His role is very much focused on Property financing both on residential and commercial lines. To get in contact with him please click here.

Twitter Facebook Linkedin