Which UK Lenders Lend If You've Been in the UK Less Than 1 Year?
Most UK lenders require at least 1, 2 or 3 years of UK residency or address history before they'll consider a mortgage. A minority — mostly building societies and specialists, plus Halifax, HSBC, NatWest and Santander — will look at applicants who've been here less than a year — typically with an LTV cap, a visa requirement, and address-history evidence that can include the applicant's overseas address.
As of 2026-09-13, published criteria from 17 of the 75 UK lenders whose published criteria we track indicate they may consider this scenario — 5 high-street, 9 building societies and 3 specialist — with minimum deposits from 5%.
Data refreshed 2026-09-13. Information only — not advice.
Your situation
High Street Lenders
- AIB— Northern Ireland properties only. Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa holders: min 6 months in the UK, up to 80% LTV under 1 year, min £41,700 salary
- Halifax— Up to 75% LTV; no minimum UK time
- HSBC— Up to 85% LTV with a 15% deposit from own funds; under 12 months in the UK only where one applicant earns £75,000+ or £100,000 joint
- Natwest— Up to 75% LTV without permanent right to reside; no minimum UK time, subject to credit score
- Santander— Without a permanent right to reside: up to 75% LTV, no minimum UK residency; 90% needs £200,000 income if under 1 year in the UK
Building Societies
- Accord— Without ILR: up to 90% LTV if one applicant earns £50,000+, otherwise 75%
- Buckinghamshire BS— British citizens only on this page: visa or pre-settled applicants need 3 years lived and worked in the UK. British returning expats have no minimum time in the UK, though the LTV may be limited
- Darlington BS— Up to 90% LTV (Professionals product); no minimum UK time; foreign address history accepted
- Hanley BS— Visa holders: up to 80% LTV; no minimum UK residency
- Harpenden BS— Settled status or ILR only (Tier 2 / Skilled Worker visas not accepted; a spousal visa only with a UK-national spouse). Up to 85% LTV; 3-year address history (overseas counts), no minimum UK time
- Hinckley Rugby BS— Visa range: up to 90% LTV with no minimum UK residency; min £41,700 income (single)
- Nottingham BS— Up to 90% LTV with UK (2yr+) or approved overseas credit data, 75% without — no minimum UK time, no minimum visa remaining
- Swansea BS— Up to 80% LTV; UK nationals, or applicants with ILR or EU settled status, only
- Teachers BS— Not for visa holders: non-EU/EEA nationals and anyone arriving after 2020 need ILR, permanent right of residence or settled status; then 6 months living in the UK, up to 95% LTV
Specialist Lenders
- Gatehouse— Visa holders: up to 90% LTV with 12+ months left on the visa; 6 months living in the UK
- Hodge— Up to 95% LTV, no minimum UK residency
- Norton— Up to 85% LTV, no minimum UK residency
A lender name is only half the answer — the amount each might lend varies by tens of thousands — our figures are indicative estimates, not offers.
See your figuresWhy some lenders say no
- Most UK lenders require 2 or 3 years of continuous UK address history before they'll lend.
- Overseas credit history rarely transfers, so a thin UK credit file usually narrows the pool further.
- High-LTV products are normally restricted to applicants with permanent right to reside or 5+ years in the UK.
Related reading: Foreign nationals mortgage guide
See an estimate of what lenders might lend you
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The check uses 57 lenders' affordability calculators, so it isn't the same list as the lenders above.
Run My Affordability CheckFrequently asked questions
Can I get a UK mortgage with less than 1 year in the UK?
It can be possible, but the pool is small. Nottingham Building Society explicitly has no minimum time in the UK, lending up to 90% LTV where you have UK (2yr+) or approved overseas credit data, and 75% without any credit data. Darlington Building Society's Professionals page advertises up to 90% LTV with no minimum UK time and no minimum time remaining on the visa. Halifax can lend at up to 75% LTV without a UK residency minimum, and goes higher if you have at least 1 year in the UK plus £50k+ income.
Do I need to be on a specific visa?
Most of the lenders that accept new arrivals require a Tier 2 / Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Spouse, Ancestry or BNO visa. Visitor visas and student visas are typically declined.
Will my overseas address history count?
Some lenders (including Darlington) accept a 3-year address history that includes time spent overseas. Others require all of it to be UK-based. Always check the lender's specific evidence requirements.
Why does Halifax cap me at 75% LTV?
Halifax classes applicants without permanent right to reside, who have less than 5 years in the UK, as higher-risk. They will lend up to 75% LTV without further conditions, or up to 95% LTV if you have at least 1 year UK residency plus £50k+ single / £75k+ joint income — or PR/ILR.