Spouse Visa Financial Requirement
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
Under new immigration rules 2024, you can meet the Spouse visa financial requirement by using employment income of £29,000 or through cash savings of £88,500.
From 11th April 2024, the minimum income required to meet the financial requirement of a UK Spouse visa is increased from £18,600 to £29,000 gross per year.
Applying for a UK spouse visa can be a complex process, particularly when it comes to meeting the financial requirements. It is advisable to get professional legal advice from an experienced immigration solicitor.
Contact Wembley Solicitors today at 0203 417 3700 to schedule a consultation to discuss your UK spouse visa application and understand financial requirements.
Table of Contents
- How to meet spouse visa financial requirements?
- What is the minimum income requirement for a UK Spouse visa?
- Meeting Spouse visa financial requirements through cash savings
- Combine income and cash savings to meet the financial requirement
- If you cannot meet the Spouse visa financial requirements
- Required financial documents for a UK spouse visa
- Is a 3-month bank statement enough for a UK Spouse visa?
- What are the other requirements for a UK Spouse visa?
- Solicitors for UK Spouse visas
- FAQs: Spouse visa financial requirement
- Need legal advice & assistance?
How to meet spouse visa financial requirements?
You can meet UK Spouse visa financial requirements by using your employment income, through cash savings, or with a combination of salary & cash savings.
You can meet financial requirements via:
- Employment income of at least £29,000 gross per year; or
- £88,500 in cash savings (if solely relying on cash savings, with £0 income); or
- combination of employment income and cash savings (depending on the source of the income).
What is the minimum income requirement for a UK Spouse visa?
To meet the financial requirements of a UK Spouse visa application, you and your partner must have a combined income of at least £29,000 gross per year.
You must earn more than £29,000 gross per year to meet the financial requirement if you are applying for a UK Spouse visa with dependent children (under 18).
Meeting Spouse visa financial requirements through cash savings
You will need £88,500 in savings to meet the financial requirement of a Spouse visa if you have no other income and no children.
The formula to calculate the amount of savings needed is:
Total Savings Required = £16,000+(Income Shortfall×2.5)
- First, you must identify the lowest amount as seen in the bank account in the 6 months before submitting your Spouse visa application.
- Then, minus £16,000 from this amount as the first £16,000 of cash savings cannot be counted towards the financial requirement.
- Then, divide this amount by 2.5
Combine income and cash savings to meet the financial requirement
You can combine cash savings with other income sources, such as employment, self-employment, or pension income, to meet the financial requirement. The combined amount must meet or exceed the required threshold.
The required income can come from various sources, including:
- Employment: Income from salaried or non-salaried employment in the UK.
- Self-employment: Profits from self-employment or income from business.
- Non-Employment Income: Rental income, dividends or other investments.
- Pension: Pension income can also be included.
If you cannot meet the Spouse visa financial requirements
If you cannot meet UK Spouse visa financial requirements by income or cash savings, you may still be able to apply for a Spouse visa under the 10-year route.
You might have other options depending on your circumstances. For example, if you have a child in the UK who is British or has lived in the UK for 7 years or under human rights
If you are unsure about the spouse visa financial requirements, speak to our spouse visa solicitor at 0203 417 3700 or email us at: info@wembleysolicitors.com.
Required financial documents for a UK spouse visa
The purpose of these financial documents is to demonstrate that you have the means to support yourself and your partner without relying on public funds. Make sure you provide clear and comprehensive evidence of your financial capacity.
Financial Documents Checklist
- Payslips for the last 6 months.
- Bank statements for the last six months corresponding to the payslips.
- A letter from the employer confirming employment details and income.
- Evidence of self-employment income (if applicable).
- Proof of non-employment income (e.g., rental income) (if applicable).
If meeting financial requirements through cash savings, you need a confirmation letter from the bank certifying the ownership of the savings account, the current balance, and the date the account was opened.
Is a 3-month bank statement enough for a UK Spouse visa?
Home Office (UKVI) typically requires 6 months' worth of bank statements and payslips to demonstrate that the financial requirements of a Spouse visa are met.
You will need to provide:
- Payslips covering the last 6 months.
- Bank statements showing that the salary has been deposited over the last 6 months.
- Letter from your employer confirming your employment details, salary, and duration.
What are the other requirements for a UK Spouse visa?
To be eligible to apply for a UK spouse visa, you must meet the certain requirements as follows:
- Both, you and your partner must be 18 or over.
- You must prove that your relationship is genuine.
- You intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- You must meet the financial requirements.
- You must meet the requirement of adequate accommodation.
- You must satisfy the English language requirements.
You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances. Feel free to ask a question to our expert immigration solicitor regarding your Spouse visa application.
Solicitors for UK Spouse visas
Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK Family visa or immigration application.
Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:
- Provide detailed immigration advice.
- Assess your personal circumstances and eligibility for a UK Family visa.
- Assess the eligibility of your sponsor.
- Explain the entire UK Family visa application process.
- Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
- Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
- Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letters for the Home Office UKVI in reference to the Immigration Rules.
- Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
- Upload all the supporting documents.
- Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
- Keep you updated with every stage of your application.
Contact our UK Family visa solicitors in Wembley, London on 020 3417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.
FAQs: Spouse visa financial requirement
The financial requirement for a UK spouse visa is that the sponsor (the UK-based partner) must demonstrate a minimum annual income of £29,000 before tax.
The £88,500 is calculated based on the requirement to cover the £29,000 annual income shortfall over 2.5 years (30 months). The calculation is as follows: £16,000 (disregarded amount) + (£29,000 * 2.5) = £88,500.
The following sources of income can be used to meet the Spouse visa financial requirement:
- Income from employment (£29,000 gross per year) or self-employment of the sponsor.
- Cash savings above £16,000.
- Non-employment income, such as rental income or dividends from investments.
- Pension income.
- Maternity, paternity, adoption, or sick pay.
To prove self-employment income, you need to provide:
- The latest tax return.
- An accountant's certificate of confirmation.
- Business bank statements.
- Evidence of ongoing work, such as contracts.
No, borrowed money cannot be counted towards the cash savings requirement. The savings must be held in your or your partner’s name and must not be subject to any loan or debt.
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