If you hold a Health and Care Worker visa and are working in the NHS, social care, or a related healthcare setting, buying a home in the UK is more accessible than you may have been told. This visa category — a sub-type of the Skilled Worker visa — is specifically named by certain lenders, including Harpenden Building Society, in their mortgage criteria.
Mortgage Knight is a whole-of-market broker with Harpenden Building Society on our lender panel. We place Health and Care Worker visa mortgage applications regularly and understand exactly what each lender requires.
The Health and Care Worker visa was introduced in 2020 as a dedicated route for overseas professionals working in eligible health and social care roles. It is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa.
Eligible roles include: doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, dental practitioners, social workers, care workers, and support and auxiliary NHS roles.
Holders pay reduced visa fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The visa is granted for up to 5 years, with a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five continuous years of residence.
Beyond Harpenden, several other lenders will consider Health and Care Worker visa applicants:
applies their foreign national LTV framework. Up to 95% LTV where income exceeds £50,000 (individual) or £75,000 (joint) and the applicant has been in the UK for at least one year. No minimum income threshold for IT contractors; standard non-IT thresholds apply.
accepts Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa holders. Generally requires 2+ years UK residency for the most favourable terms. Up to 75% LTV where neither applicant has settled status.
requires a minimum of 10% deposit for visa holders. Generally requires 2 years UK residency.
a range of specialist lenders accessible only through brokers offer broader criteria in certain circumstances, particularly for shorter residency periods or lower deposit amounts.
Harpenden Building Society (HRBS) is one of the most favourable lenders in the UK for Health and Care Worker visa holders. Their criteria, available through Mortgage Knight as an intermediary:
| Situation | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|
| Any residency — Harpenden BS | 10% (90% LTV) |
| 1+ year UK residency — Harpenden BS | 5% (95% LTV) |
| 1+ year UK residency, income ≥£50k — Halifax | 5% |
| Income ≥£75k, any residency — Halifax | 5% |
| Less than 1 year residency — most other lenders | 25% |
| Buy to let | 25% |
Register on the electoral roll at your UK address immediately
Open a UK current account with regular direct debits
Use a UK credit card and pay in full monthly
Avoid multiple credit applications in the months before your mortgage application
Yes. Harpenden Building Society specifically accepts Health and Care Worker visa holders with no minimum time in the UK, no minimum income and up to 90% LTV.
With Harpenden Building Society, there is no minimum UK residency requirement. Other lenders generally require at least 12 months.
With Harpenden Building Society, there is no minimum income requirement. Halifax requires individual income of at least £50,000 (annualised) after one year of UK residency for 95% LTV.
Yes. Harpenden Building Society and several other lenders accept agency and locum income alongside direct NHS employment income.
10% with Harpenden Building Society regardless of time in the UK. 5% after one year of UK residency with Harpenden, or with Halifax where income exceeds £50,000.
