Spouse Visa
Mortgages
Can You Get A Mortgage On A Spouse Visa?
If you are living in the UK on a spouse visa, you may be wondering whether you can buy a home or get a mortgage.
The simple answer is yes, it is possible.
However, the rules are different from standard residential mortgages, and not all lenders will consider applicants on a spouse visa.
At Drummonds Finance Group, we regularly help clients on spouse visas secure mortgages across the UK, including in Oxford, Bicester and surrounding areas.
This page explains how it works, what lenders look for, and how to improve your chances of approval.
Getting a Spouse Visa in the UK
Yes, you can get a mortgage on a spouse visa.
Most lenders will consider your application if:
• You are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain
• You hold a valid spouse visa
• You meet affordability requirements
• You have some UK credit footprint
Some lenders will lend at 90 to 95 percent loan to value in strong cases. Others may require a larger deposit.
The key is placing the case with the right lender from the start.
How Much Deposit Do You Need For A Spouse Visa Mortgage?
The deposit required for a spouse visa mortgage depends on several key factors, including how long remains on your visa, the strength and stability of your income, your overall credit profile, and whether you are applying alone or jointly with a British or settled spouse.
Lenders assess risk differently. Where there is strong, stable employment, a good credit history and a clear pathway to settlement, it is often possible to secure a mortgage with a deposit of 5 to 10 per cent. In more complex scenarios, such as when visa terms are short remaining, limited UK credit history, or variable income, lenders may require a larger deposit, typically 15 to 25 per cent.
Each case is assessed individually, which is why lender selection and application structure are so important. The right placement can significantly reduce the deposit requirement compared to a poorly matched application.
If you are a first-time buyer, you may also wish to read our First Time Buyer Mortgage guidance for additional support around deposit planning, affordability and the overall buying process.
Do You Need Indefinite Leave To Remain To Get A Mortgage?
No, you do not need Indefinite Leave to Remain to get a mortgage.
However, having a settled status increases lender choice and may reduce deposit requirements.
Many lenders are comfortable with spouse visa applicants, especially where:
• The British spouse is a joint applicant
• There is a clear path to settlement
• Employment is stable
If you are unsure whether your visa status qualifies, we assess this at the start.
Does The Length Of Time Remaining On Your Visa Matter?
Yes, visa length is one of the most important factors.
Some lenders require:
• At least 12 months remaining at application
• Evidence of renewal history
• Confirmation of a route to settlement
Other lenders are more flexible, particularly if your spouse is a UK citizen and affordability is strong.
Incorrect lender selection here is one of the biggest reasons applications are declined.
Can I Get A Mortgage On A Spouse Visa With Bad Credit?
Yes, but lender choice becomes more limited.
If you have:
• Missed payments
• Defaults
• A County Court Judgment
• Limited UK credit history
Specialist lenders may still consider your case, particularly if your British spouse has strong credit.
If this applies to you, see our Mortgages With Bad Credit page for more details.
Can I Get A Mortgage On A Spouse Visa If I Am Self Employed?
Yes, it is entirely possible to obtain a mortgage on a spouse visa if you are self-employed, but it does introduce an additional layer of assessment. Lenders will look more closely at both your immigration status and the stability of your business income before making a decision.
In most cases, lenders expect to see at least two years of accounts or SA302s, supported by corresponding tax year overviews. They will assess whether income is stable or increasing and whether the business demonstrates consistency. A clear UK trading history is particularly important, as this provides reassurance that your income is sustainable and not short-term.
If you have only recently become self-employed in the UK, or if part of your income is derived from overseas contracts or foreign currency payments, lender selection becomes even more important. Some mainstream lenders are cautious in these scenarios, particularly when there is limited UK credit history or a short remaining visa term. However, there are lenders who take a more considered view when the case is presented properly.
Will Being On A Spouse Visa Affect My Mortgage Interest Rate?
Many high street banks apply rigid internal policies that are not designed for visa holders. Even where affordability is strong, automated underwriting systems can flag spouse visa applications as higher risk and restrict loan to value or decline the case altogether.
Visa length is another common hurdle. Some lenders require a minimum amount of time remaining, without properly considering renewal history or a clear pathway to settlement. Others simply do not manually review cases that fall outside standard UK residency criteria.
This means applications are often declined not because the applicant is unsuitable, but because the lender is not the right fit.
At Drummonds Finance Group, we assess your visa status, income structure and long-term plans before selecting a lender that actively supports spouse visa applicants. By placing the case correctly from the outset, we reduce the risk of unnecessary declines and significantly improve approval outcomes.
Can I Buy A House In The UK If I Have Just Arrived On A Spouse Visa?
This is increasingly searched online.
In most cases, lenders prefer:
• At least 3 to 6 months of UK bank statements
• UK employment history
• A credit footprint
However, there are exceptions, particularly if your spouse is well established in the UK.
Early advice is important in this scenario.
Spouse Visa Mortgage In Oxford And Bicester
Oxford has a strong international community, particularly connected to:
• Oxford University
• The NHS
• Research and science sectors
We regularly assist clients buying in Oxfordshire who are on spouse visas, including first-time buyers and professionals relocating to the area.
If you are buying locally, you may also wish to visit our Mortgage Broker Oxfordshire page.
Why Many High Street Banks Decline Spouse Visa Applications
Many high street banks rely heavily on automated underwriting systems. These systems are designed for straightforward UK resident applications and often struggle with anything outside standard criteria. When a spouse visa is involved, the case may be flagged automatically, even if the applicant is financially strong.
Some lenders also require a longer period remaining on the visa than is strictly necessary, or they may apply rigid internal policies that do not allow for flexibility. In many cases, applications are declined not because the client is unsuitable, but because the case has been placed with a lender that does not fully understand or support spouse visa scenarios.
A specialist mortgage broker approaches this differently. Instead of relying on automated decisions, we assess your visa status, income structure, credit profile and long-term residency plans before selecting the most appropriate lender. This reduces the risk of unnecessary declines and protects your credit profile.
At Drummonds Finance Group, we regularly work with foreign nationals, NHS professionals, airline staff and clients with complex or high-income structures. That experience allows us to position spouse visa applications correctly from the outset, improving approval chances and ensuring the process runs smoothly.