The situation
A British professional is relocating from Qatar with their family and has accepted a UK role. They want to buy rather than rent on arrival. The new employment has not started, while the overseas role will end before the purchase is expected to complete.
What makes this more involved?
The application must not imply both salaries will continue together. A future contract, probation, any employment gap and the lender’s evidence requirements may affect when a mortgage can be assessed or completed.
How I would approach it
Create one dated timeline
Record the overseas employment end, UK start, move, exchange and completion plans. Identify any period without earnings and how living costs will be met.
Evidence the new role
Review the signed contract, start conditions and remuneration. Check the lender’s approach to future employment and whether a first payslip or other confirmation is needed.
Preserve a contingency
Budget for temporary accommodation, moving costs and a delayed completion. Keep overseas credit commitments and any retained property in the fact find.
What could change the plan?
Would an agreement in principle settle the timing?
No. Full underwriting, property checks and evidence conditions still apply. An initial indication is not a mortgage offer.
What if the new job starts late?
Revisit the application promptly. The purchase timetable or budget may need to change rather than relying on the original expected start date.
What this would establish
Agree an application sequence that reflects the employment transition and provides room for delays, instead of forcing the transaction around unsupported income assumptions.
Can a future UK salary be considered?
It may be possible under certain lender criteria, but the signed contract, timing and conditions must be checked.
Link to this answerEducational content reviewed 9 October 2026. Individual advice requires an assessment. Lender and policy criteria can change.
Further reading: MoneyHelper: buying a home. These references provide background information; they do not indicate acceptance of this example.