Financial Requirement for UK Spouse and Partner Visas: A Guide

The financial prerequisites are one of the most important considerations when seeking approval for a UK Partner/Spouse Visa.

To join your spouse settled in the UK under the Spouse Visa, you must meet the minimum income threshold, unless you’re exempted. For a partner without dependent children, and applying under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, they need an annual income of at least £18,600 (before tax).

If your partner brings children with them, the threshold increases by £3,800 for the first child and an additional £2,400 for each child after that. This higher financial requirement for Spouse Visas doesn’t apply to children who are EEA nationals, British or permanently settled in the UK.

How Do You Meet Financial Requirements For The Spouse Visa?

You can meet the financial requirement through a combination of sources:

• Income from employment or self-employment—if you work in the UK
• Non-employment earnings, such as from property rentals, income/dividends from investments, shares, or stocks
• Private or occupational pension in you or your partner’s name
• Cash savings of over £16,000 held by your partner or yourself for at least 6 months
• Maternity or paternity allowances, sick pay or adoption

Note: this list is not exhaustive

Financial Requirement: Accommodation

In addition to meeting the minimum income threshold, another financial requirement is “adequate” accommodation for the family.

“Family” includes members who live in the same household and are not applying for leave to enter or remain.

“Accommodation” refers to a house, flat, or room that should either be owned or exclusively occupied by the family without recourse to public funds (Rule E-ECP.3.4 in Appendix FM). The accommodation you share should not break any public health regulations and have enough space for the family.

Who Is Exempt From Meeting The Financial Requirements?

Partners who receive one or more of the following allowances or benefits in the UK:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Carer’s Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Guaranteed Income Payment or Independence Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Police Injury Pension
• War Disablement Pension

If you receive one of these benefits, all you need is evidence of “adequate maintenance,” showing your receive enough money to look after the dependants.

It’s important to note here that in all cases, you need to meet the criteria for adequate accommodation.

Get in touch with a qualified immigration adviser to improve your chances of a successful UK Spouse Visa application. Our UK immigration solicitors can check if you meet the financial requirement for Spouse Visa and prepare a Letter of Representation for your application.

Give us a call today for a consultation at 020 3417 3700.