Spouse Visa Mortgage

According to data collected by the UK government, around 3,057,654 visas were granted to foreign nationals in the year ending March 2023.

Many of these were spouse visas granted to spouses of UK residents residing and working in the country for a certain period.

And while such a visa helps foreign nationals stay with their partner, it can pose certain difficulties, like when getting a mortgage for purchasing a house.

That’s where a spouse visa mortgage can help, which allows procuring funds even if either partner is not a permanent resident of the UK. Let’s take a look at how this works. 

What Is A Spouse Visa Mortgage?

A spouse visa mortgage is a mortgage offered to those residing in the UK for a certain period on a spouse or family visa. 

The main difference between a regular mortgage and a mortgage on a spouse visa is that the eligibility requirements for the latter can be slightly more stringent.

Standard lenders set stringent requirements when offering a loan to an individual residing in the UK on a spouse visa. 

These may include large deposits and a significant validity period remaining on the visa. The lenders may even need the applicant to have spent a certain amount of time in the country. 

To avoid these issues, you can apply for a joint or single-person mortgage while on a spouse visa with lenders who specialise in this type of enquiry, depending on your circumstances.

Such lenders do not have such strict eligibility requirements and may even be willing to provide a loan with just a 5% deposit and only 12 months of stay.

Deposit Required For A Mortgage On Spouse Visa

As mentioned above, most lenders will require a larger deposit when you apply for a mortgage on a spouse visa. 

That said, it may be possible to find mortgage providers willing to provide a loan with just a 5% deposit. For that, certain conditions need to be met. 

These may involve having lived in the United Kingdom for at least 12 months and having a validity of more than six months on your visa as an example. 

Additionally, the application process may involve applying with someone (your spouse) who has indefinite leave to remain in the country. 

If you apply for a mortgage alone or your spouse also does not have permanent residency, the deposit required tends to be generally around 25%. 

Getting A Joint Mortgage Vs. Getting A Sole Applicant Mortgage On A Single Spouse Visa

Getting a joint mortgage may be easier if one partner has a spouse visa and the other is a British resident or has settled permanently in the region. 

Additionally, having an income of £100,000 or more individually or jointly and putting down a deposit of 25% or more can make things simpler. 

In comparison, getting a sole applicant mortgage on a spouse visa can be more difficult when just one partner applies for the loan. 

The reason for that is such a situation may raise concerns about your loan affordability, as your spouse does not share responsibility for repayment.

So, while it is still possible, it might be better to consult an expert before picking this option. 

How Much Can You Borrow On A Spouse Visa Mortgage?

Lenders usually consider loan affordability and their individual lending criteria when determining the amount of loan provided. In most cases, the total amount offered lies between 3.5 and 4.5 times your annual gross salary. 

For a joint mortgage, the salaries of both individuals are added to determine the amount that can be borrowed. 

If you have credit commitments like credit cards or a car loan to be repaid, the amount available will be smaller. Similarly, it will be less if you have adult dependents or children. 

Documents Required For A Mortgage On A Spousal Visa

Lenders require certain documents when assessing your loan application, which can vary from one provider to another but generally include the following:

• Copy of your VISA or immigration share code
• Credit report
• Proof of deposit
• Bank statements for the past three months
• Proof of income

Can I Get A Spousal Visa Mortgage Without Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR)?

It is still possible to get a spousal visa mortgage even if both you and your spouse do not have indefinite leave to remain in the country. However, in such a case, certain additional requirements need to be met.

The annual joint income of you and your partner might need to be at least £100,000, or one partner should have been residing in the UK for the past five years. 

Alternatively, both individuals should have lived in the country for the past three years and should have at least two years remaining on their visas. 

Each lender has different criteria you must meet and some lenders may be more lenient than others so if you don’t meet the requirements listed above then we’d recommend consulting an experienced Mortgage Advisor as there may still be options out there for you. 

How To Get a Mortgage With A Spouse Visa

The process of getting a mortgage while you or your partner is living in the UK on a spouse visa is similar to applying for a regular mortgage. 

First, proper research is required to find a suitable lender who offers mortgage plans with favourable interest rates and other loan terms. 

Consulting a mortgage expert can help you with this. Once such a loan provider is identified, find out what documents are required and make arrangements accordingly. Apply for the mortgage while submitting all the required documents to the lender.

After conducting thorough checks into your and your partner’s financial history and other aspects, like the period of stay, the lender will determine whether to accept or reject the application. 

FAQs

1. Can you get a mortgage on a spousal visa as a first-time buyer?

It is possible to get a spouse visa mortgage as a first-time buyer, though lenders consider whether you own property abroad when assessing your application.

2. Is it possible to invest in a buy-to-let (BTL) property through a spouse visa mortgage?

Purchasing a BTL property using a spouse visa mortgage requires additional conditions to be met. These generally include a minimum of three years of residence in the UK, at least a year remaining on your visa, and a minimum deposit of 25%, among others.

3. Does having bad credit limit your options when it comes to spousal visa mortgages?

As with other loans, having bad credit can make it considerably difficult to get a mortgage on a spouse visa. However, depending on the severity of the issues causing bad credit, it may still be possible to get a loan. 

4. How can you improve your chances of getting a mortgage on a spouse visa?

The best way to improve your chances of getting a mortgage on a spouse visa is through proper preparation. Make sure to have all the necessary documents, ensure that they are error-free, and check that your credit report is up to date. 

5. Which are the best loan providers for a spouse visa mortgage?

Some of the most popular loan providers that offer a spousal visa mortgage include Barclays, Halifax, Natwest, and Santander.  

Final Thoughts

So, it’s possible to purchase a home in the UK even if you or your partner holds a spouse visa. Just remember, when applying for a mortgage, lenders may have different eligibility criteria, but finding the right provider can make things a lot easier. 

Also, if possible, consider putting down a larger deposit, which can make more lenders willing to consider your application. Taking the help of an experienced mortgage broker is another step that can simplify the process, though they will require payment for their services.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

All content is written by qualified mortgage advisors to provide current, reliable and accurate mortgage information. The information on this website is not specific for each individual reader and therefore does not constitute financial advice.