Mortgages for Non-UK Residents: A Guide for Buyers in Asia

01 · What is different

How a non-resident mortgage differs

Many UK high-street lenders only lend to UK residents.

So overseas buyers rely on international banks, expat specialists and brokers who handle non-resident cases.

Fewer

01 / Lenders

A smaller market

International banks, expat lenders and specialist brokers.

25–40%

02 / Deposits

Bigger deposits

One broker’s view of the typical non-resident range; often 35–40% for foreign nationals.

Up to 25%

03 / Currency

Foreign income discounted

Some lenders count less of income paid in another currency.

Lists

04 / Where you live

Country lists change

Lenders publish accepted countries, and they change.

02 · One lender

HSBC UK’s published criteria

HSBC UK is one of the few large lenders with a published non-resident range (HSBC UK).

It accepts applicants living in 14 countries and territories, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Mainland China is not on its list.

HSBC’s expat arm also offers buy-to-let to its expat customers, at up to 60% or 75% loan-to-value and for terms up to 25 years.

As published in October 2026. Criteria change; check with the lender or a broker.

Home to live in

Buy-to-let

Minimum income

£75,000 basic

£50,000 (£75,000 if self-employed)

Deposit or loan-to-value

Up to 75% loan-to-value

25% deposit (40% on loans over £1m)

Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia residents

✓

Mainland China residents

–

Swipe to compare

03 · Deposits

How much deposit you need

Expect to put down more than a UK buyer would.

The bars show one lender’s minimum and one broker’s view of the wider market (Joseph Mews).

HSBC UK non-resident, home to live in (minimum)25%

Typical non-resident deposit (broker view)25–40%

Foreign nationals, often (broker view)35–40%

Sources: HSBC UK (October 2026); Joseph Mews, 23 July 2026.

04 · Other routes

Other ways to borrow

If the big lenders say no, there are other routes.

A broker who handles non-resident cases can see lenders that do not deal directly with the public.

Specialist lenders

Brokers name Skipton International and Molo among lenders active with non-residents.

05 · Paperwork

What lenders will ask for

Start gathering these early; translations and certified copies take time.

For buy-to-let, we can write a rental estimate for flats in Elephant & Castle, SE1 and SE17.

Ticked0/5

Tick what you already have.

06 · Costs

Costs to budget for

On top of the deposit, budget for stamp duty including the 2% non-resident surcharge, legal fees, the lender’s valuation and any broker fee.

If you let the flat, your agent deducts tax from the rent under the Non-Resident Landlord scheme unless you are approved to be paid gross.

Mortgage interest relief for individual landlords is given as a basic-rate tax credit, not a full deduction.

01DepositOften 25–40%
02Stamp dutyIncluding the 2% surcharge
03Legal feesConveyancing and checks
04ValuationThe lender’s survey
05BrokerIf you use one

What a non-resident buyer pays before the keys.

FAQ · mortgage for non-UK residents

Questions, answered

What owners, buyers and parents abroad ask us first.

Yes. Singapore is on several lenders’ accepted lists, including HSBC UK’s non-resident range as of October 2026.

It is harder. Mainland China is not on HSBC UK’s non-resident list, so speak to a broker who handles non-resident cases.

Usually more than a UK buyer. HSBC UK lends up to 75% loan-to-value to eligible non-residents, and one broker puts typical non-resident deposits at 25% to 40%.

Often yes, but some lenders count less of foreign-currency income to allow for exchange-rate risk.

Yes. HSBC UK’s non-resident buy-to-let range, for example, asks for a 25% deposit and £50,000 minimum income as of October 2026.

Next · keep reading

Where to go from here

International propertyBuying UK property from abroadCan foreigners buy UK property? Stamp duty, the 2% surcharge, tax and the checks.Read →International propertyNon-Resident Landlord schemeHow HMRC taxes your London rent while you live abroad, and how to be paid in full.Read →International propertyElephant Park guideEvery phase of Lendlease’s 3,200-home regeneration, from Trafalgar Place to The Wilderly.Read →International propertyLetting in Elephant & CastleThe area, the buildings, the regeneration and the local rules for landlords in SE1 and SE17.Read →International propertyStudent flats near LSBU and LCCHalls, private flats, guarantors and the 2026 rent-in-advance rules, for students and parents.Read →International propertyInternational property hubLondon lettings and property help for owners in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.Read →

Sources · every fact on this page

Where the facts come from

General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.

[1]Mortgages for non-UK residentsHSBC UK · accessed 5 Oct 2026

[2]Buy-to-let mortgagesHSBC Expat · accessed 5 Oct 2026

[3]Non-resident mortgage criteria 2026Joseph Mews · 23 Jul 2026

[4]Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-UK residentsHMRC · updated 1 Apr 2025

Cantonese or Malay on request

Buying to let? We will write your rental estimate.

A short call in English, or in Cantonese or Malay if you ask when you book. Tell us what you own or want to buy, and where you live, and we will tell you plainly what we would do.

01Pick a slot that suits your time zone

02Tell us about the flat or the plan

03We let and manage it, advise you, or introduce a partner we trust

Pick a day that suits

Book twenty minutes →

Opens our calendar to confirm a live slot.