The topic of spouse visa financial requirements in the UK has been discussed widely over the past few months, with the Government changing the minimum threshold for the first time since the rules were introduced 12 years ago. From 11 April 2024, the minimum income threshold increased from £18,600 to £29,000. If you are looking to move to the UK and apply for a spouse visa then there are significant financial requirements that you need to be aware of.

In this guide, we take you through the details of spouse visa financial requirements.

How do I meet the financial requirement for a UK spouse visa?

According to current spouse visa financial requirements, you’ll need to demonstrate the threshold is met through one or more sources of income and provide evidence in the specified form. Only certain types of income can be counted and only certain combinations are allowed.

What are the allowed sources of income for a UK spouse visa?

Spouse visa financial requirements split up the income types into six different types:

1. Salaried and non salaried employment income of sponsor over a six month period.
2. Salaried or non salaried employment of sponsor over a 12 month period. You can also use the income of the applicant if they are in the UK with leave to remain so it can’t be used for the first entry clearance visa.
3. Non-employment income sources. For example, rental income from a property owned by yourself or partner, maintenance payment from a former partner, tax free maintenance grant from university or interest from savings, dividends, shares or other investments.
4. Cash savings held by applicant or sponsor. The threshold for cash savings is not £29,000 (or £18,600 for those already on the route) but there is a formula to work out the right amount. For example, if you are applying for the first time on the basis of savings alone, you will need to have £88,500 for a period of 6 months before you can apply. The account holder can be yourself, your partner, or jointly owned, but it cannot be an account jointly owned with a third party. Multiple accounts are allowed, in some cases savings from investments or sale of property can also be used.
5. Pension income held by yourself or partner. Spouse visa financial requirements state this can be state or private pension and it has to be a source of income for at least 28 days before you apply.
6. Self employment categories. You can either use figures for the latest financial year or an average of the past two financial years. Self employment can be in the form of a sole trader, partnership, owning a franchise or being a director or an employee of a limited company. Self employment income cannot be combined with savings.

What is the evidence required for an employed sponsor?

You require three items of evidence:

• 6 or 12 months of payslips.
• 6 or 12 months of bank statements.
• A letter from your employer worded in a specific way

What is the evidence required for savings?

Spouse visa financial requirements state that you only require two items of evidence for savings:

• Bank statements for the six months proceeding the date of application.
• Declaration from each account holder as to the source of the savings.

What evidence is required for benefits?

Certain benefits allow you to bypass the threshold of the £29,000 and instead rely on what is known as adequate maintenance and accommodation. Examples of such benefits include carers allowance, disability living allowance, and personal dependence payments.

Adequate accommodation requires you to show that you have a place you live in which will not be overcrowded by your inclusion. Adequate maintenance requires you to show that you have a disposable income above the amount that you would get if you were claiming income support as a family. This means you take you net income, deduct rent and council tax and the remaining amount should be above what you would get if you were claiming income support from the government.

Our key advice for those looking to apply for a UK spouse visa:

1. Start the application process early. Preparation is key. The applications are incredibly document heavy and some evidence will span across 12 months before application so start 18 months before you intend on applying.

2. Be very careful about the format and content of the evidence that you are submitting. The rules for spouse visa financial requirements are contained in a schedule called Appendix FM-SE and they dictate exactly what each income source should be supplemented by. Any shortfall or deviation could cost you a refusal if Home Office decide not to exercise discretion to request further documents.

3. Always consult with an expert to check over all documents and keep you posted on all changes in law and practice.

Our immigration lawyers are here to help you with the application process, so if you are looking to apply for a spouse visa get in touch.

Related News, Insights & Events