Mortgages for New Arrivals to the UK: How Soon Can You Buy a Home?

Moving to the UK is a huge step, and for many new arrivals, the thought of buying a home feels like the ultimate sign of stability. One of the first questions I’m asked is: “Do I need to wait years before I can get a mortgage?” The encouraging answer is: not necessarily.

It used to be the case that lenders wanted to see at least two or three years of UK residency before they would even look at an application. They liked long track records, established credit files, and plenty of payslips. That’s still the “safe” preference for some high street banks, but it’s far from the whole story. In today’s market, many lenders are open to considering applicants who have been in the UK for as little as twelve months — and in some cases, even sooner.

This comes as a surprise to a lot of newcomers. Just because you’re new to the country doesn’t mean you’re locked out of home ownership for years. If you have stable employment and can show you’re financially settled, the doors open a lot quicker than people expect.

The deposit is where myths often take hold. A common belief is that new arrivals must have a huge deposit — 20 or 30 per cent — before they can even think about buying. That isn’t true. I’ve helped clients secure mortgages with a five per cent deposit after only twelve months in the UK. Others, who’d been here a shorter time, managed with ten per cent. Of course, there are situations where a larger deposit may be needed — such as when someone has only just arrived and has no track record here at all — but it’s important to know that five and ten per cent deposits are realistic for many new arrivals.

Your visa or residency status is part of the picture, but again, there isn’t one hard rule. Some lenders like to see at least a year remaining on a work visa; others will accept shorter terms, particularly if your income is strong or your employer is well-established. If you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status, the process can be more straightforward, but being on a visa doesn’t automatically hold you back. Different lenders have different appetites, and that’s where specialist advice can make all the difference.

Ultimately, what matters most is being able to demonstrate stability. A regular income paid into a UK bank account, payslips that show continuity of work, and

everyday signs of financial life here — such as bills in your name — all help build confidence with lenders. It’s less about how long you’ve been here and more about proving that you’re genuinely establishing yourself.

This is where working with a mortgage adviser who understands the market is invaluable. One lender might turn you down simply because you’ve not been here long enough, while another would be happy to consider you under the same circumstances. Knowing where to apply, and how to package your application, can be the difference between a rejection and a smooth approval.

If you’re new to the UK and feel home ownership is years away, take heart: it may be much closer than you think. With the right approach, many of our clients have bought their first UK home within a year of arriving, some with only a five per cent deposit. Others have succeeded even sooner with ten per cent.

At Welcome Mortgages, we specialise in helping new arrivals navigate the mortgage market. Whether you’ve been here a year or just a few months, we can show you the options that suit your circumstances and help you take the first step towards owning your own home.

📞 Ready to explore your mortgage options?

Call us today on 01268 902 916 or 07393 132129 and we’ll guide you through the process.