African nationals face mortgage barriers that are leading to a fall in the number applying for home loans in the UK.
A study from Afin Bank found that over half of African nationals – especially in healthcare industries – in the UK on work visas feel that they are financially excluded, with some saying this would lead to them wanting to leave the UK.
Tippie Malgwi (pictured), head of diaspora banking for Afin Bank, said people working in “important sectors” such as healthcare, as well as well-paid professionals, are effectively being excluded from mortgages because they don’t fit rigid criteria.
Credit history and visa issues
Malgwi said some lenders demand that applicants have a longer period of time left on their visa and reject applicants because they don’t have several years of UK credit history.
“That is why Afin Bank was created, as we know the demand is there from foreign nationals. It is our mission to help them get a mortgage to show them that they are valued and welcome in the UK,” he noted.
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Afin Bank will consider someone from overseas when they have been working in the UK for at least six months, even if they have a limited credit footprint. The bank will also consider overseas funds and gifted funds for a deposit, as well as offering mortgages to qualified professionals that are up to 6.5 times their income.
New year, same barriers
Afin Bank surveyed 500 Africans living and working in the UK on a valid visa and compared its findings with similar research the bank carried out in 2025.
The percentage of respondents with a mortgage had fallen by 10 percentage points to 38%, and the numbers considering applying have fallen too.
Just under a quarter (24%) of respondents planned to apply for a mortgage in the next 18 months, compared with 36% in 2024. Some 23% were planning to remortgage in the coming 18 months, compared with 31% in 2025. A fifth had applied for a mortgage in the last 18 months, compared with 38% in 2025.
The challenges faced
Afin Bank also asked what challenges prevented African nationals on working visas from getting a mortgage.
Over a fifth (22%) were concerned they would be rejected because of their nationality, compared with 24% in 2025. A similar percentage were worried their lack of UK credit history would be a problem, compared with 20% in 2025.
Other concerns included visa status and non-standard income, such as self-employment or multiple income streams, compared with 22% in 2025. Meanwhile, a fifth (19%) were also worried UK lenders would not accept a gifted deposit or overseas funds towards their deposit.
The results of exclusion
The study found that many of the one-and-a-half million nationals felt financially excluded and that this would result in them leaving the UK.
Some 39% said not being able to buy their own home would be a barrier to them wanting to put down roots in the UK – this rose to 77% among doctors. Just under a third (32%) said it would make them want to leave the UK in the short to medium term – this rose to 44% among respondents who were nurses and 80% among social workers.
Over a quarter (27%) said they would not want to stay in the UK for the long term if they couldn’t get a mortgage, while just over a third (34%) felt the difficult mortgage situation would discourage skilled people from overseas from coming to the UK.
