Indefinite Leave to Remain Mortgage
Achieving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK is the most significant milestone in the foreign national mortgage journey.
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What happens next
- Fill in the form (2 minutes).
- We'll match you with the right specialist for your situation.
- A specialist independent broker will contact you to discuss your options.
About Indefinite Leave to Remain Mortgage
With ILR, you access the full mainstream UK mortgage market on the same terms as UK citizens - all lenders, all products, standard deposit requirements, and standard rates. The visa-related barriers that constrained your options are removed at ILR.
The options available
Full Mainstream Market
ILR holders access Halifax, Barclays, HSBC UK, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander, Lloyds, and all other mainstream lenders on the same terms as UK citizens. No visa-related restrictions on products, LTV, or rates.
First-Time Buyer with ILR
First-time buyer schemes - First Homes, shared ownership, mortgage guarantee scheme - are accessible to ILR holders on the same basis as UK citizens. ILR is the threshold for most first-time buyer scheme eligibility.
Standard Deposit Options
ILR holders access 5-10% deposit mortgages from mainstream lenders. The elevated deposit requirements that applied under a time-limited visa are no longer relevant with ILR. LTV up to 95% for eligible residential purchases.
Buy to Let with ILR
BTL mortgages at standard UK resident terms. The specialist expat BTL lenders used before ILR are no longer necessary - standard BTL lenders (Nationwide, Santander BTL, The Mortgage Works) all accessible.
Remortgage After ILR
If you had a mortgage under a time-limited visa, ILR creates an opportunity to remortgage to a better rate with mainstream lenders who previously could not consider your application. The brokers we work with advise on the optimal remortgage timing after ILR grant.
High Value Mortgages with ILR
ILR holders seeking large mortgage loans (£1m+) access private banks and high-value mortgage specialists on the same basis as UK citizens. Overseas income may still be a factor for very large loans, but ILR removes the visa barrier entirely.
How We Help
ILR confirmation
The specialist we introduce you to confirms your ILR grant and establishes your UK credit profile, employment, and income. For most ILR holders, the application process is straightforward - similar to a standard UK citizen application.
Mainstream lender comparison
The specialist broker we introduce you to can compare products from mainstream lenders. With ILR there is no need to restrict to specialist lenders - most of the UK market is available.
Application
Standard UK mortgage application process. ILR verification via share code or the ILR card (if issued before the eVisa transition).
Completion
Standard timeline - 6-10 weeks for a residential purchase or remortgage.
Speak to our international mortgage specialists
Call 0204 6211776 · Introductions to specialist expat brokers · All expat locations
Frequently asked questions
Does ILR give me the same mortgage access as a UK citizen?
Effectively yes - ILR holders access the full UK mortgage market with the same products, rates, and LTV ranges as UK citizens. Some lenders note nationality in their credit assessment but this does not typically affect the outcome. The visa-related constraints (minimum remaining validity, restricted lender pool, elevated deposits) no longer apply.
Can I apply for a mortgage immediately after getting ILR?
Yes - ILR takes effect on the date of grant. You can approach mainstream mortgage lenders immediately after your ILR is confirmed. There is no waiting period. If you have a UK credit history and employment income, a mainstream application can start the same week your ILR is granted.
Should I remortgage after getting ILR if I have an existing mortgage?
Potentially yes - if you took your original mortgage on a time-limited visa and paid a specialist lender premium, ILR gives you access to mainstream lender rates that may be 0.5-1.5% lower. The optimal time to remortgage is when your existing fixed rate expires. Your specialist broker assesses whether remortgaging is worthwhile based on your existing rate, remaining term, and the current mainstream market.
Is ILR the same as settled status for EU nationals?
For mortgage purposes, yes - settled status (granted under the EU Settlement Scheme) is equivalent to ILR for mortgage eligibility. Both provide indefinite right to remain and both give access to the full mainstream mortgage market. Pre-settled status (the temporary version) is treated similarly to a time-limited work visa.
What is the difference between ILR and British citizenship for mortgage purposes?
There is no meaningful difference for mortgage purposes. British citizenship does not provide additional mortgage benefits over ILR. The full mortgage market is accessible from ILR - citizenship is not required and confers no mortgage advantage.