UK Family Visa Financial Requirements: Income and Savings

Applying for a UK spouse or partner visa, or extending your existing permission? The financial requirement depends on your application history, income sources and circumstances.

The standard minimum income requirement is currently £29,000 a year. Some applicants qualify for transitional rules or a different financial assessment.

What is the minimum income requirement?

For most applicants starting the five-year spouse or partner route following an application made on or after 11 April 2024, the minimum qualifying gross annual income is £29,000.

Different rules can apply to applicants protected by the earlier threshold, sponsors receiving specified benefits and cases involving exceptional circumstances. Other family routes can also have different requirements.

Who can still use the £18,600 threshold?

Transitional protection can apply if your first successful application as a partner, fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner was made before 11 April 2024 and you continue on the qualifying five-year route with the same partner.

The starting threshold is £18,600, with additional amounts for children who count under the rules:

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

The transitional income requirement is capped at £29,000. British or Irish children and children settled in the UK do not normally attract these additional amounts.

Under the standard £29,000 requirement, there is no additional income amount for each child.

Which income sources can count?

Permitted sources can include:

• Qualifying salaried or non-salaried employment.
• Qualifying self-employment or income from certain limited companies.
• State or private pension income.
• Specified non-employment income, such as qualifying rental income.
• Eligible cash savings.

Some sources can be combined, but the rules do not allow every combination. The income category determines the calculation and supporting evidence required.

Can the applicant’s earnings count?

For an application made inside the UK, the applicant’s lawful employment income may count alongside their partner’s income.

For an application from overseas, the applicant’s overseas employment earnings do not normally count. Different provisions apply to eligible pension income, non-employment income and savings.

Can you use cash savings instead?

For an initial partner application or an extension subject to the £29,000 threshold, £88,500 in qualifying cash savings can meet the financial requirement without income.

Where savings can be combined with qualifying income, the usual calculation is:

For example, qualifying income of £25,000 leaves a £4,000 shortfall against the £29,000 threshold. The required qualifying savings would be £26,000.

Savings normally need to have been held by the applicant, their partner or both jointly for at least six months. Their source must be declared and the funds must meet the access and evidence requirements. Exceptions can apply to funds arising from qualifying asset sales.

The savings calculation differs at indefinite leave to remain, so do not assume the same amount applies to settlement.

What documents will you need?

The required evidence depends on the financial category. It may include:

• Payslips, corresponding bank statements and an employer’s letter.
• Tax returns, accounts and business documents for self-employment.
• Pension statements and evidence of payments received.
• Documents supporting qualifying rental or other income.
• Savings statements and evidence explaining the source of funds.

Having enough income is only part of the requirement. You must also provide the specified documents covering the correct period.

What if your partner receives benefits?

If the sponsoring partner receives a specified disability or carer’s benefit, the standard minimum income requirement may not apply. Instead, you must demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation under the relevant rules.

Not every benefit qualifies. Check the exact benefit and the evidence needed before relying on this provision.

What if you cannot meet the requirement?

Exceptional circumstances may require a different assessment, but a shortfall does not automatically qualify you for an exception. The impact on your family and any relevant children must be considered against the applicable rules.

Obtain advice before applying if your income is insufficient, your evidence is incomplete or you are unsure which threshold applies.

Help with a spouse or partner extension

Thai Visa Express UK can review your immigration history, identify the applicable financial requirement and help prepare your supporting evidence.

Read about our UK spouse and partner visa extension service .

Official guidance: GOV.UK family visa financial requirements and Appendix FM-SE supporting evidence rules .