First Time UK Purchase for US National Residing in UAE
Featured Snippet: Articus Finance delivered a first time UK purchase for US national residing in UAE, arranging a £1.6m loan at 70% LTV on a £2.3m London apartment through bespoke private bank financing.
Introduction
Completing a first time UK purchase for US national residing in UAE involves navigating regulatory differences, foreign national lending restrictions, and the absence of a live UK financial footprint. Articus Finance specialises in resolving such complexities, leveraging deep private bank relationships to secure favourable solutions for international professionals.
Client Background
The client was a US national based in the United Arab Emirates, working as a private doctor. Having previously lived in the UK, their existing ownership was limited to a buy-to-let that had once served as their primary residence. To strengthen professional and lifestyle flexibility, the client sought to acquire a prime London residence valued at £2.3m, specifically a historically significant three-bedroom apartment near Covent Garden.
The main considerations were clear:
- Challenge: No active UK footprint at the time of acquisition.
- Objective: Financing a first time residential purchase in London while maintaining UAE residency.
- Requirement: 70% LTV mortgage on value of £2.3m—loan size £1.6m.
- Profile: High-earning international professional with specialist residency status.
The Challenge – First Time UK Purchase for US National Residing in UAE
Arranging first time UK purchase for US national residing in UAE presents sector-specific difficulties:
- Foreign national hurdles: US citizens frequently encounter additional lender conservatism due to regulatory complexity and tightened compliance standards.
- Lack of UK footprint: Without active financial presence in the UK, mainstream banks often assess affordability and risk unfavourably.
- Expat residency: Living abroad in the UAE limited access to traditional UK high street mortgage routes.
- Asset type: High-value central London properties often require specialist private banking rather than mass-market lending.
Without specialist intervention, such cases face declining viability: limited lenders prepared to consider foreign resident borrowers, longer due diligence timelines, and higher risk-based pricing.
Our Solution
Articus Finance identified that this case required private bank involvement. Established relationships with international private lenders allowed us to present the client’s situation effectively. The solution included:
- Approaching a private bank familiar with cross-border lending, able to view the client’s income and global residency positively.
- Structuring finance against the £2.3m acquisition, securing a loan of £1.6m at 70% LTV.
- Negotiating bespoke private bank credit treatment, ensuring approval despite the absence of active UK income streams.
- Positioning the client’s professional profile and international track record as key stabilising factors in their affordability narrative.
- Agreeing a five-year term with favourable interest rates, minimising borrowing costs.
This not only enabled the purchase but removed multiple barriers traditionally encountered by US citizens investing in UK properties.
Key Highlights
- Property: £2.3m Central London residence near Covent Garden.
- Loan Advancing: £1.6m facility.
- Leverage: 70% Loan-to-Value.
- Client: US national, UAE resident, working as private doctor.
- Challenge: No active UK footprint, foreign national compliance, overseas residency.
- Solution: Private bank mortgage facility with favourable five-year terms.
Why Articus Finance Delivered
Achieving first time UK purchase for US national residing in UAE is not possible through conventional mortgage pipelines. Articus Finance demonstrated its strength in international lending, by using bespoke private bank channels that assess applicants more holistically. By articulating the client’s global income, established professional standing, and long-term engagement with the UK market, we secured approval on terms supporting both lifestyle goals and future investment potential.
Our independence, combined with trusted lender relationships, proved pivotal in reaching this outcome. Where high street banks would have declined, our expertise transformed possibility into certainty.
Explore Related Insights
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- Private Bank Mortgage Case Study
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- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Final Thoughts
This case underlines that a first time UK purchase for US national residing in UAE is achievable with tailored expertise. Articus Finance connected the client with a private bank willing to support complex profiles, delivering certainty of funding, competitive leverage, and a secure pathway into UK property ownership. Our insight and access turned a highly challenging application into a successful acquisition.