Many expats assume they won’t qualify for an expat mortgage, let alone a standard UK mortgage, but this case study proves otherwise. 

A teacher based in the UAE was initially told they wouldn’t be eligible for HSBC’s international mortgage products. But not only did we secure them with HSBC, we went one step further—managing to place them on HSBC UK’s standard mortgage range. 

This meant a lower interest rate and significant cost savings (likely tens of thousands), and access to future UK mortgage products throughout the entire mortgage term.

Note: we can’t guarantee a UK product for every client, but we think it’s worth speaking to us to see if you may be eligible.

The Client

Our client was a teacher living and working in the UAE who had been advised by a trusted broker that they wouldn’t qualify for HSBC’s international mortgage products. 

Seeking a second opinion, they approached us, and after a full assessment—including credit profile, address history, living habits and supporting documentation—we identified a way to secure them not just an expat mortgage, but HSBC UK’s standard mortgage range.

This was a game-changer, as it meant securing a standard UK high street rate despite living overseas.

How We Helped

The key challenge was proving UK residency for enough time to qualify for a UK product, but our experience in handling complex cases allowed us to build a strong case. By using flight stubs, bank statements, and other supporting documents, we demonstrated that the client had lived in the UK long enough to qualify.

This level of service and specialist knowledge is rare, and even the client had been convinced they wouldn’t qualify for HSBC’s international products—let alone HSBC UK’s standard range.

On top of that, HSBC’s senior underwriter made a special exception to accept the client’s quarterly housing allowance as part of their affordability assessment. This was a first, made possible through our persistence and relationships.

The client was purchasing a £415,000 property and needed a £250,000 mortgage. By securing a UK high street rate rather than an international mortgage, we achieved a rate difference of around 0.8-1%, saving them tens of thousands over the course of the mortgage.

The key benefits included:

  • Lower Interest Rate: 0.8-1% lower than HSBC’s international mortgage rate.
  • Significant Cost Savings: Tens of thousands saved over the mortgage term.
  • Future Retention Benefits: The client can now keep remortgaging with HSBC UK’s retention products, ensuring continued access to competitive UK rates.

This case demonstrates that specialist mortgage advice makes all the difference.