Buying Property on a Skilled Worker Visa: UK Guide
Buying a home in the UK while on a Skilled Worker visa is possible but comes with specific challenges, particularly around mortgages. This guide explains your options, what lenders look for, and practical considerations.
- Section
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Reading time
- 10 min
- Last checked
- 14 March 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- No legal restriction on buying property on any visa type.
- Mortgage availability varies by lender; specialist brokers help.
- A larger deposit improves your chances.
- The 2-percentage-point stamp duty surcharge turns on a 183-day presence test, not tax residence.
- Property ownership is not affected if your visa expires.
There are no legal restrictions on Skilled Worker visa holders buying UK property. The main challenge is obtaining a mortgage, as some lenders prefer applicants with permanent status. Specialist brokers can help, and a larger deposit improves your options.
Your Right to Buy
UK law does not restrict property ownership based on nationality or immigration status. Whether you hold a Skilled Worker visa, a Spouse visa, or settlement (indefinite leave to remain), you can buy property. See our general guide on buying property as a visa holder for broader context.
Getting a Mortgage
The main challenge for Skilled Worker visa holders is obtaining a mortgage. Key factors lenders consider:
- Visa length remaining: Lenders prefer applicants with at least 2-3 years remaining on their visa.
- Path to settlement: Showing that you are on a route to settlement reassures lenders about long-term repayment.
- Deposit size: Lenders generally ask visa holders for a larger deposit than they ask settled buyers for.
- Income stability: A stable, well-paying job with a reputable employer helps.
- Credit history: Build a UK credit history by using a credit card responsibly and paying bills on time.
Some high-street banks lend to visa holders while others do not — building a strong UK credit score improves your options. Specialist mortgage brokers who work with international clients can identify suitable lenders. See also mortgages after settlement for how things change once you have settled status.
Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty Land Tax applies to property purchases in England and Northern Ireland. Rates are set by the purchase price. Rates for a non-UK resident buyer are 2 percentage points higher than the rates for a UK resident buyer.
The test is a day-count, not the usual tax-residence test. For this surcharge, an individual is treated as non-UK resident if they were not present in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before the purchase.
If you pay the surcharge and then spend at least 183 days in the UK during any continuous 365-day period inside the window that begins 364 days before the purchase and ends 365 days after it, you can claim a refund. You do that by amending the Stamp Duty Land Tax return, and the amendment must be made within 2 years of the effective date of the transaction. See the GOV.UK guidance on rates for non-UK residents and the GOV.UK stamp duty calculator for current rates.
Scotland and Wales have their own taxes on property purchases, with their own rates and their own rules for buyers from outside the country.
Practical Considerations
- Visa expiry: If your visa expires or you need to leave the UK, you still own the property. You can sell, rent, or hold it.
- Rental income: If you rent out the property, self-assessment tax returns apply.
- Legal fees: Budget for solicitor fees, searches, surveys, and other purchase costs. Ask for a written quote before you instruct anyone.
- Insurance: Buildings and contents insurance is required by most mortgage lenders.
When to Buy
Some visa holders choose to wait until they have settlement before buying, as mortgage options improve. Settlement does not by itself decide the stamp duty question, though — that turns on the 183-day presence test described above. Others prefer to buy earlier to get on the property ladder. There is no right answer: it depends on your financial situation, visa timeline, and personal preferences.
Next Steps
Speak to a specialist mortgage broker to understand your options. Start building your credit history and saving for a deposit. Be sure to factor in visa fees for future extensions when planning your finances. You will need your eVisa to prove your status to solicitors and lenders. Biometric residence permits stopped being issued at the end of 2024, so status is now proved online with a share code, which lasts 90 days. Research areas where you might want to buy.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Can I buy a property on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. There are no immigration restrictions on buying property in the UK. Anyone, regardless of visa type or nationality, can purchase residential or commercial property. The challenge is typically getting a mortgage, not the legal right to buy.
Can I get a mortgage on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but it may be more difficult than for permanent residents. Some lenders are reluctant to offer mortgages to those on temporary visas. Specialist lenders and brokers who understand immigration status can help. Having a large deposit and stable income improves your chances.
Do I pay extra stamp duty as a non-UK resident?
In England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax rates for a non-UK resident buyer are 2 percentage points higher than the rates for a UK resident buyer. The test is a day-count: you are treated as non-UK resident if you were not present in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before the purchase. If you pay the surcharge and then spend 183 days in the UK during a continuous 365-day period in the window running from 364 days before the purchase to 365 days after it, you can claim a refund by amending the return within 2 years of the transaction.
What happens to my property if I leave the UK?
You retain ownership of the property regardless of your visa status. If you leave the UK, you can sell the property, rent it out, or keep it. Rental income would be subject to UK tax, and non-resident landlords have specific tax reporting requirements.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.