Financial Requirements for Spouse Visa UK

The UK spouse visa financial requirement is £29,000 a year, and you can meet it through income, savings, or a combination of both.

This requirement is set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and applies to most applicants for a UK spouse visa in 2026. It's based on your partner's gross income and, in some cases, your own.

Different rules apply in some situations, including certain disability or carer benefits, exceptional circumstances, and earlier applicants who first applied before 11 April 2024. This guide explains each route and what to do if you don't meet the requirement.

If you are unsure whether you meet the financial requirement, speak to our immigration solicitor on 020 3417 3700 or submit an online enquiry for expert advice.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways: UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement

• The general requirement is £29,000 a year before tax, counting your partner's income and, in some cases, your own.
• Three routes: income, cash savings, or a combination of the two.
• Savings alone: at least £88,500, held for a minimum of six months before you apply (in most cases).
• Children: the £29,000 figure does not usually increase for dependent children.
• Exemptions: these are limited. They can apply if your partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, or in exceptional circumstances.
• Earlier applicants: different rules apply if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner.

What Is the Financial Requirement for a UK Spouse Visa?

The financial requirement is a minimum income threshold of £29,000 per year that must be met by the applicant and their partner combined.

It is set by UKVI to ensure couples can support themselves in the UK without relying on public funds.

In most cases, you must show that your combined income meets or exceeds £29,000, or that you have sufficient savings or permitted financial sources to meet the requirement.

Ways to Meet the Financial Requirement

You can meet the UK spouse visa financial requirement in three ways: through income, through cash savings, or by combining the two. The general requirement is £29,000 a year before tax. Your partner's income counts, and in some cases yours can too.

The more income you have, the less you need in savings, so it's worth working out the gap before you apply. Our calculator below shows the savings you'd need for your income.

If your partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, or you have exceptional circumstances, different rules apply. See the exemptions section on this page.

What If Your Partner Receives Disability or Carer Benefits?

You do not need to meet the £29,000 requirement if your partner receives specific disability or carer-related benefits.

These include:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Disablement Pension
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Other qualifying disability-related benefits

Instead of a fixed income threshold, UKVI assesses whether you can adequately support yourselves without public funds.

Each case is assessed individually based on income, savings, and housing costs.

Transitional Financial Requirement (Before 11 April 2024)

Different financial rules apply if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending your visa with the same partner.

In these cases, the minimum income requirement is usually £18,600 per year instead of £29,000.

If children are involved, additional income may be required:

• £3,800 for the first child
• £2,400 for each additional child

However, the total requirement will not exceed £29,000.

Some children are exempt, including:

• British or Irish citizens
• Children with settled or eligible immigration status

All cases are assessed under UKVI Appendix FM rules.

Can You Use Savings Instead of Income?

Yes. Cash savings alone can meet the requirement if you hold at least £88,500 for a minimum of six months before you apply (in most cases). If you have some income, you need £16,000 plus 2.5 times the amount your income falls short of £29,000.

Example: your partner earns £22,000, which is £7,000 short. £7,000 × 2.5 = £17,500, plus £16,000 gives £33,500 in savings.

For which savings count and how to evidence them, see our Cash Savings Requirement guide.

UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement Calculator

If your income is below £29,000, cash savings can cover the gap. Enter your annual income below to see how much you'd need.

For which savings count and how to evidence them, see our Cash Savings Requirement guide.

UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement Categories

The income you rely on falls into one of these types, and each needs different evidence.

The exact evidence depends on your circumstances. For the full details, see the Minimum Income Requirement and Documents Checklist guides.

UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement with Children

For new applications, the £29,000 requirement does not usually increase for children.

Different rules apply if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner. In that case, the requirement is usually £18,600, plus £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child, and the total does not go above £29,000. Some children are exempt, including British or Irish citizens and children with settled or eligible status.

UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement Exemptions

Some applicants don't need to meet the £29,000 figure, and others may succeed in exceptional circumstances.

Certain disability or carer benefits. If your partner receives a qualifying benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, War Disablement Pension, or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, UKVI assesses whether you can support yourselves without public funds instead of applying the fixed figure.

Exceptional circumstances. You may still succeed if you have a British or settled child in the UK, if your child has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave, or if refusing the visa would breach your human rights under Article 8. UKVI decides these case by case.

If you think an exemption applies to you, speak to our immigration solicitors on 020 3417 3700 before you apply.

What If You Don't Meet the Financial Requirement?

If you don't meet the financial requirement, your application will usually be refused. Before you apply, check whether an exemption or exceptional circumstances could apply to you.

If you've already been refused, or you're not yet able to meet the requirement, you generally have four options:

• Wait and build your evidence. Apply once your income or savings reach the required level, including the time the money needs to be held.
• Reapply with stronger evidence. If the refusal was about missing or unclear documents, a new application that fixes those gaps can succeed.
• Challenge the decision. Depending on the refusal, an administrative review or appeal may be available.
• Consider another route. A different visa category may suit your situation better.

For what typically goes wrong and how to avoid it, see our guide to spouse visa refusal reasons. If you've received a refusal, a solicitor can check the decision and advise on the best next step.

What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?

If your application is refused due to financial requirements, you will not be granted a visa under this route.

You may still:

• Reapply with stronger financial evidence
• Wait until you meet the £29,000 requirement
• Challenge the decision (if eligible)
• Apply under a different immigration route

Most applicants must demonstrate full compliance with UKVI financial rules before reapplying successfully.

Need Help with UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements?

Understanding UKVI financial rules can be complex, especially when combining income, savings, or exemptions.

Avoid costly mistakes in your UK Spouse Visa application. Speak to our immigration solicitor today on 020 3417 3700 or submit an online enquiry for expert guidance.