Bridging Loans for Foreign Nationals

Bridging Products — Foreign Nationals

We lend to foreign nationals borrowing against property in England and Wales, whether or not you have any UK residence or credit history, £50,000 to £25,000,000, with a same-day decision.

Loan Size£50k – £25m
SecurityUK legal charge
PropertyEngland & Wales
UK Credit HistoryNot required
DecisionSame day
Foreign NationalsCross-BorderUK Property

Can a foreign national get a UK bridging loan?

Nationality Is Not a Barrier

Yes. Because the loan is secured on the UK asset and underwritten on the asset and the exit, your nationality is a due-diligence and structuring question rather than a barrier.

Foreign national or expat — the difference

The two are often confused. An expat is usually a British national living overseas; a foreign national is a non-UK citizen, who may live in the UK or abroad. Both can borrow with us, but the checks differ. This page is for non-UK nationals, if you are a British citizen living abroad, our offshore lending and expat bridging page is the better fit.

How we lend to foreign nationals

We underwrite the UK asset and the exit, so overseas income, an overseas structure or a thin UK credit history are things we work with rather than reasons to decline. We take a legal charge over the England and Wales property, supported by personal, corporate or debenture guarantees as appropriate, and coordinate with UK and overseas solicitors to keep completion moving. Every case is assessed on its merits and subject to underwriting.

Who we work with

Cross-border cases, handled methodically.

Lending is on England and Wales investment property only, for business and investment purposes.

  • Non-UK nationals buying or refinancing investment property in England and Wales
  • Overseas-resident and UK-resident foreign nationals
  • Borrowers using UK or offshore companies, SPVs and trusts
  • Brokers placing cross-border cases that need careful due diligence

How it works

Three steps to completion.

1: Tell us about the deal

Share the property, the amount and your exit, and we give an honest same-day decision in principle.

2: Identity and source-of-funds checks

We complete ID, AML and source-of-funds checks and issue indicative terms.

3: Legals and completion

We take a legal charge over the England and Wales property and coordinate with UK and overseas solicitors to complete.

ID, AML and source of funds

Handled up front, so it speeds the deal up.

As a firm registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations, we carry out thorough identity, anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds checks, plus standard sanctions screening, on every foreign national borrower. This is handled methodically and up front: having your identification, proof of source of funds and structure details ready is the single biggest factor in a fast completion.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

Can I borrow if I am not a UK citizen?
Yes. We lend to foreign nationals against investment property in England and Wales, whether you live in the UK or abroad, subject to identity and source-of-funds checks.
Do I need a UK credit history or UK bank account?
A UK credit history is not required, because we underwrite the asset and the exit rather than credit-scoring you. Practical banking arrangements are handled case by case.
What documents will you need for AML and source of funds?
Typically proof of identity, evidence of your source of funds, and details of any corporate structure. We confirm the exact checklist for your circumstances when you enquire, having these ready up front is the biggest factor in a fast completion.
Is this regulated lending?
No. Berkeley Credit lends for business and investment purposes only, on property the borrower does not occupy, and is not fully FCA authorised. We do not provide regulated advice.