Finding an international mortgage broker with genuine whole-of-market access and specialist knowledge of cross-border lending is not easy. Most high street brokers are set up for straightforward UK residents. If your situation involves overseas income, foreign passports, non-UK credit history, or buying from abroad, you need a broker who understands how international mortgage applications actually work. For more information, see HMRC guidance for overseas income.
What Is an International Mortgage Broker?
An international mortgage broker helps clients who live abroad, earn income in foreign currencies, or hold non-UK passports to access UK mortgage lending. Unlike a standard broker, an international specialist understands how lenders assess foreign currency income, which lenders will consider applicants with no UK credit history, visa and residency requirements for different lender tiers, and the difference between expat mortgages and foreign national mortgages.
Who Uses an International Mortgage Broker?
Our clients typically include UK expats living in Dubai, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, USA, Canada, or Switzerland who want to buy UK property; foreign nationals who have recently moved to the UK and need a mortgage despite limited UK credit history; overseas investors buying UK buy-to-let property from abroad; and couples with complex residency arrangements.
International Mortgage Lenders in the UK
Not all UK mortgage lenders accept international applications. The market for expat and foreign national mortgages is served by a smaller pool of specialist lenders, including certain building societies, specialist banks, and private lenders. Access to these lenders requires a qualified broker with the right panel relationships. A whole-of-market international mortgage broker can compare rates and criteria across all available options.
UK Mortgage with Foreign Income
Most lenders accept income in major currencies (USD, EUR, AED, SGD, AUD, HKD, CHF) with a 10-20% haircut to account for exchange rate risk. Some lenders accept offshore income without any haircut if it is paid in GBP. Self-employed international applicants require two to three years of accounts or tax returns.
UK Mortgage with No UK Credit History
Foreign nationals and long-term expats often have thin or no UK credit files. This rules out most high street lenders. However, specialist international mortgage lenders will consider applications without UK credit history, assessing instead financial track record in the country of residence, asset strength and deposit size, employer stability, and visa type and remaining validity.
How The Mortgage Story Helps International Clients
The Mortgage Story is a specialist whole-of-market broker with direct experience placing complex international mortgage applications across the UK. We work with clients in over 30 countries, handling applications for residential purchases, buy-to-let investments, remortgages, and limited company structures. We manage the full process remotely, with digital document submission and video consultations available in all time zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an international mortgage broker do?
An international mortgage broker assesses your situation (residency, income currency, nationality, visa status) and matches you with the UK lenders most likely to approve your application, at the best available rates.
Can I get a UK mortgage if I live abroad?
Yes. UK expats and foreign nationals living overseas can access specialist UK mortgage products. Criteria vary by lender but typically require a 25% or greater deposit and verifiable foreign income.
Do international mortgage brokers charge more?
Not necessarily. The Mortgage Story charges a standard broker fee of typically 495 GBP, the same for international and UK-resident clients. Many lenders also pay broker commission, which can sometimes offset the fee entirely.
Which countries can you help clients from?
We work with clients based in the UAE, USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Germany, France, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, China, Ireland, and many other countries.
How long does an international mortgage application take?
International applications typically take 6 to 12 weeks from application to offer, depending on the lender and complexity of the case.
Speak to a Specialist
The Mortgage Story arranges mortgages for expats, foreign nationals, and overseas investors across the UK. Whole-of-market access. No obligation consultation.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The Mortgage Story is a trading style of The Mortgage Story Ltd, which is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 991223). This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.
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