The standard UK spouse and partner visa financial requirement is £29,000 gross annual income. Eligible cash savings can replace or supplement certain income sources. Transitional rules and specified benefit exemptions mean the same calculation does not apply to every family. Source: Immigration Rules Appendix FM.
This guide explains the main calculations. For help assembling evidence, use our separate spouse visa financial document checklist.
Who needs to meet the £29,000 requirement?
The standard threshold applies to new partner-route applications under the rules introduced on 11 April 2024. There is no extra child supplement under that standard threshold.
Applicants who successfully applied before that date and are continuing with the same partner may qualify for the earlier £18,600 base requirement, with supplements for qualifying children. The transitional total is capped at £29,000. Check the date and basis of the original application, rather than simply the date of arrival in the UK. Source: Appendix FM transitional provisions.
Whose income and savings can count?
For an application from abroad, the applicant’s overseas employment earnings generally cannot count. The sponsor’s qualifying employment can count, including under specific returning-sponsor provisions. Eligible non-employment income, pensions and cash savings belonging to either partner may also be relevant.
For an application from within the UK, the applicant’s employment income can count where they have permission to work. Each source still needs the correct evidence and calculation. Source: Home Office financial requirement guidance.
Permitted financial categories
| Category | What it covers | Main point to check |
|---|---|---|
| A | Employment with the same employer for at least six months | Salaried and non-salaried calculations differ |
| B | Employment held for less than six months, or other relevant employment circumstances | Usually tests both current earnings and actual income over the previous 12 months |
| C | Qualifying non-employment income, such as property rental | Evidence of the source and receipt is required |
| D | Cash savings | Ownership, source, access and holding period matter |
| E | Pension income | Evidence of entitlement and payment is needed |
| F/G | Self-employment or income from a specified limited company | Normally the last full financial year or the average of the last two |
Variable pay does not automatically mean Category B: non-salaried Category A income has its own calculation. Similarly, a director of a specified limited company cannot simply treat company turnover or informal drawings as personal qualifying income. Source: Appendix FM-SE.
How much cash savings do you need?
For an initial partner application or extension, the usual formula is:
Required savings = £16,000 + (annual income shortfall × 2.5).
| Qualifying annual income | Shortfall against £29,000 | Required cash savings |
|---|---|---|
| £0 | £29,000 | £88,500 |
| £20,000 | £9,000 | £38,500 |
| £25,000 | £4,000 | £26,000 |
| £29,000 | £0 | No savings needed to meet the income threshold |
These examples assume the income category can be combined with savings. Cash savings cannot be combined with Category F/G income, or used to satisfy Category B’s separate past-income test. The settlement savings calculation is different: do not reuse the 2.5 multiplier for ILR. Source: Home Office financial requirement guidance.
The multiplier is a rule-based calculation, not a statement that all initial visas last 30 months. A partner visa issued from abroad is normally granted for 33 months; in-country grants are normally 30 months. Source: GOV.UK partner visas.
Holding savings and explaining their source
Savings usually need to have been held by the applicant, partner or both for at least six months and be accessible. Borrowed funds do not qualify. A genuine gift may qualify once the ownership and holding requirements are met.
Qualifying property sales and liquidation of investments can allow earlier ownership to count towards the holding period, but documentary conditions apply. A recent property sale is not an automatic exemption: ownership and net proceeds must be evidenced. Source: Appendix FM-SE, paragraphs 11 and 11A.
Benefit exemptions and adequate maintenance
Where the sponsor receives a specified disability-related or carer benefit, the application may be assessed under adequate maintenance instead of the fixed income threshold. This still requires evidence of finances and accommodation; it is not an exemption from financial assessment.
Check the exact benefit against the list in Appendix FM. Do not assume any benefit, or Universal Credit alone, triggers the exemption. Source: Appendix FM, financial requirements.
Common evidence mistakes
- Using a current salary figure without checking the relevant six- or 12-month calculation.
- Supplying payslips without the corresponding bank evidence and employer letter.
- Treating a recent savings transfer as proof of six months’ ownership.
- Using business turnover instead of the qualifying personal income calculation.
- Missing the applicable document-date requirements, including the 28-day rule where specified.
Appendix FM-SE allows evidential flexibility in specified circumstances, but applicants should not rely on being asked to repair an incomplete submission. Our financial checklist explains how to organise the supporting records.
What if you cannot meet the financial requirement?
A shortfall does not automatically create an exception. In qualifying exceptional circumstances, the Home Office may consider other credible financial sources or whether refusal would breach Article 8 because of unjustifiably harsh consequences. A grant on that basis may lead to a ten-year settlement route. Source: Appendix FM, GEN.3.1 and GEN.3.2.
Before applying, obtain advice on whether to wait for sufficient evidence, rely on another permitted source, or assess an alternative route. The financial requirement is only one part of partner eligibility; relationship, immigration status, English and accommodation requirements also matter.
Get help with a partner visa application
LegumLex can review the appropriate category, savings calculation and evidence for your circumstances. Explore our family visa service or contact our team to discuss your application.