Can I Get a Mortgage with Only 1 Year Left on My Visa?

If you’re holding a UK visa that’s set to expire in a year, you might be wondering whether getting a mortgage is even possible. The short answer is: maybe — but it’s tricky, and your options will be more limited. In this article, I’ll walk you through what lenders typically look at, how having one year left affects your chances, which visas are more “acceptable,” and what you can do to improve your odds.

Why Lenders Worry About Visa Expiry

Mortgage lenders are in the business of risk control. When someone doesn’t have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent status, lenders see an added risk: what if your visa isn’t renewed and you leave the UK? Could repayments falter, could repossession be harder, could the value of the property suffer? Because of that, lenders tend to apply stricter rules for visa holders.

Some key risk-factors they’ll scrutinise:

• Duration remaining on the visa — the more time left, the safer you look.
• Visa type and whether renewal is likely
• How long you’ve lived in the UK (your credit history, stability)
• Size of your deposit (Loan-to-Value ratio, LTV)
• Income level, job security, documentation

If you only have one year left, many lenders will see that as short. Some will decline outright; others may consider you if other parts of your application are very strong.

What the Rules and Trends Say

Nationwide’s change: 12 months minimum

Nationwide Building Society now accepts residential mortgage applications from visa holders who have at least 12 months remaining on their visa. This is a recent loosening of their prior requirement, which had been 2 years 6 months.
This means, for some lenders, having exactly 12 months left may just meet the threshold. But that’s a minimum and not a guarantee.

“Some lenders accept less than 12 months”

There are anecdotal reports and specialist lenders who may accept you with less than a year left — especially if your employer confirms renewal or if your deposit is very strong. For example, a mortgage adviser blog suggests that some “Tier 2 (now Skilled Worker) visa mortgages” may be possible even with less than three months remaining.

General guidance: 12 months is a common boundary

Many sources agree that 12 months is a commonly expected minimum. Some lenders insist on 1–2 years remaining (or evidence of renewal).

So, With Only 1 Year Left — What Are Your Chances?

Your chances with just one year left on your visa depend heavily on your circumstances. Below are the factors that will make or break your application.

Strong factors (that could help you succeed)

• A large deposit — the higher your deposit (lower LTV) the lower risk for the lender. Some lenders for visa holders ask for 15–25 % deposit or more.
• Good income, stable employment, preferably in a role likely to continue
• Employer assurance or evidence of visa renewal (if your employer can show you’ll be eligible to extend)
• A strong UK credit history and financial stability
• Choosing lenders that specialise in “visa holder” or “foreign national” mortgages rather than mainstream high-street lenders

Weaknesses (that could block you)

• If your visa is due to expire and renewal is uncertain
• A small deposit, or high LTV applied to you
• Limited UK credit or address history
• Employment that is short term or insecure

If your application is marginal, you may either be refused or offered a more expensive deal (higher interest rate) or more restrictive terms.

Visa Types Matter

Not all visas are viewed equally by lenders. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2) — many lenders accept this, sometimes asking for 12+ months remaining unless renewal is certain.
• Spouse or family visas — some lenders accept them, though they may require larger deposits or joint applicants.
• Student visas — often difficult; many lenders reject student visas because they signal shorter stays.
• Other temporary work visas — acceptance depends heavily on how long the visa allows and how likely renewal is.

If your visa type is viewed less favourably, having stronger compensating factors (bigger deposit, higher income, more stability) becomes more critical.

What You Can Do to Improve Your Chances

Here are practical steps to raise your odds:

1. Use a specialist mortgage broker: A broker experienced in visa/immigration-status mortgages will know which lenders will even consider someone with one year left.
2. Strengthen your deposit: If you can bring a 20–25 % deposit (or more) that shows you have “skin in the game,” many lenders will view you more favourably.
3. Get employer confirmation or a renewal plan:
If your employer can provide a letter confirming that they will sponsor your visa renewal, it may make lenders more confident about your future in the UK.
4. Build up UK credit / address history: Make sure your credit file is clean, you pay bills and utilities on time, and maintain a UK bank account with consistent account history.
5. Apply early:
Don’t wait until you have only a few months left—apply when you still comfortably exceed the minimum period (e.g. 12+ months).
6. Consider joint application: If your partner is a UK citizen or has permanent status, applying jointly can open more doors and favourable terms.
7. Choose lenders open to foreign nationals / visa holders:
Some lenders specialise in non-standard cases and are more flexible. Use your broker to target them.

Real World Examples

• One user on a forum got a mortgage from Barclays with 85 % LTV while on a Skilled Worker visa with less than two years left.
• Another forum post warns that less than six months on the visa is risky: many lenders may refuse in that scenario.
• On Reddit, someone shared that a lender refused because their “right to reside” couldn’t be verified — not strictly visa expiry but an allied issue in immigration status checks.

These show that exceptions exist, but risk is real.

Key Takeaways

From a UK perspective, here’s your bottom line:

• Yes, it is possible to get a mortgage with one year left on your visa — but it’s not guaranteed, and it will depend on other strong elements of your application.
• Many lenders expect at least 12 months remaining, so having exactly one year may just meet that threshold with the right supporting factors (deposit, income, stability).
• If you have less than 12 months remaining, your chances narrow significantly, unless you have a compelling case.
• Using specialist lenders and mortgage brokers is vital — standard high street lenders may not accept you.
• Every visa case is different — your specific visa type, the possibility of extension, employment, deposit, and credit history all play a critical role.

If you like, I can look up a list of UK lenders right now who are known to lend to visa holders with about 12 months remaining — that might help you see exactly who you can approach. Would you like me to do that for you?

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