Is the £29,000 requirement gross or net?

Gross. The £29,000 threshold is based on gross annual income before tax and National Insurance deductions.

Spouse Visa Financial Requirement

Written by Martin Taggart — Solicitor | MySpouseVisa.com
Martin Taggart is a UK immigration solicitor specialising in spouse and partner visas. He advises British citizens and settled UK residents on bringing their overseas partners to the UK, and regularly assists couples navigating the financial requirement where income is close to — or below — the threshold.

This guide reflects the rules as understood by Martin in June 2026. It is reviewed and updated whenever Home Office guidance or the Immigration Rules change. Every factual claim links to an official source — GOV.UK, the Immigration Rules, the Migration Advisory Committee, or the House of Commons Library. Where the law is unsettled or under review, this is stated explicitly.

Editorial policy: MySpouseVisa.com publishes legal information guides reviewed by a qualified solicitor before publication and updated whenever the rules change. Last reviewed: June 2026 | Next scheduled review: September 2026.

Important: This guide provides general legal information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified immigration solicitor based on your personal circumstances. If you are unsure whether you meet the financial requirement, complete our free UK Spouse Visa Risk Check below.

Quick Answer: What Is the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement?

To sponsor a spouse or partner for a UK visa, you must generally earn at least £29,000 gross per year. This threshold has been in place since 11 April 2024 and applies to all new applications on the 5-year partner route. It does not increase based on the number of children included in the application.

The requirement can be met through salaried employment, self-employment, pension income, rental income, savings, or a combination of qualifying sources. If your income falls short, savings above £16,000 can top up the difference using a set formula.

If you applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, transitional rules apply and you remain on the old £18,600 threshold structure. The £29,000 figure remains unchanged as of June 2026, with no confirmed Government plans to alter it in the near term.

⚡ What Has Changed Recently?

April 2024: Threshold increased from £18,600 to £29,000 for all new applications from 11 April 2024.
July 2024: Labour government froze threshold at £29,000 and commissioned Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review.
June 2025: MAC published its review, recommending against further increases and suggesting a lower threshold of between £21,000–£28,000 may be more appropriate. The Government has not yet acted on these recommendations.
November 2025: Home Office updated its caseworker guidance (Appendix FM Financial Requirement) clarifying transitional rules for extensions.
June 2026: Threshold remains £29,000. No confirmed government announcement on reform at time of publication.

📋 At a Glance — UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement 2026

Current threshold: £29,000 gross per year
Applies to: New applications from 11 April 2024
Transitional (pre-April 2024 applicants): £18,600 + child additions, capped at £29,000
Savings alternative: Savings above £16,000 using formula: (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000
Minimum savings (no income): £88,500
Whose income counts: Sponsor only (for entry clearance); both parties for in-country switching
Children: No additional amount required (flat £29,000)
Key legislation: Immigration Rules, Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE
Exemptions: Sponsors receiving specified disability/armed forces benefits — adequate maintenance test instead
Evidence deadline: Financial documents must be no older than 28 days at submission

⚠️ The Financial Requirement Catches More Applications Than Any Other Rule

It is not just about earning £29,000. It is about earning it in the right way, for the right period, evidenced in exactly the right format — 28 days before you submit. Our free UK Spouse Visa Risk Check takes 4 minutes. It reviews your income type, employment history, savings position and evidence against the current rules — and tells you precisely where your application is at risk before you submit.

Take the Free Risk Check — Find Your Weak Points →

1. What Is the Financial Requirement?

The financial requirement — also called the minimum income requirement (MIR) — is a rule set out in Immigration Rules Appendix FM that requires the UK-based sponsor of a spouse or partner visa to demonstrate a minimum level of income or financial resources.

Its stated purpose, as set out in successive Home Office policy papers, is to ensure that sponsored family members can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds. It was first introduced in July 2012 by the coalition government and set at £18,600 per year — a figure it held for over a decade before being raised in April 2024.

The rule applies to British citizens and those with settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme) who wish to sponsor a non-EEA spouse or partner to join them in the UK.

Quick Answer — What Is the Financial Requirement?
To sponsor a spouse visa, the UK-based sponsor must earn at least £29,000 gross per year. This applies to all new applications from 11 April 2024. It can be met through employment, self-employment, pensions, rental income, savings, or a combination. The threshold does not increase for children.

2. The £29,000 Threshold: What You Need to Know

Since 11 April 2024, the financial requirement for new applications on the 5-year partner route is £29,000 gross per year. This is the sponsor’s pre-tax income.

Application Date	Threshold (No Children)	Rule
Before 11 April 2024	£18,600	Old rules — transitional protection applies
On or after 11 April 2024	£29,000	Current rules — flat rate regardless of children

Key points about the £29,000 figure:

It is gross, not net. Your pre-tax salary must reach this level.
It is assessed at the point of application, not averaged over time (with some exceptions for Category B employment).
It must generally be met by the UK-based sponsor. For entry clearance applications from abroad, the applicant’s overseas income cannot be counted.
It does not increase if children are included in the application.
It applies to initial applications, extensions and applications for settlement (ILR). For extensions and ILR, both the sponsor’s and applicant’s UK income can count.

Quick Answer — The £29,000 Threshold
The current UK spouse visa income threshold is £29,000 gross per year. It has been in force since 11 April 2024. The Labour government has frozen it at this level while reviewing the Migration Advisory Committee’s June 2025 recommendations. No change has been confirmed as of June 2026.

Does Your Income Actually Qualify?

Earning £29,000 is not the same as meeting the financial requirement. The amount matters — but so does how you earn it, how long you have earned it, and whether you can evidence it in exactly the format the Home Office requires.

Check Your Income Qualifies — Free Risk Check →

3. Transitional Rules: Pre-April 2024 Applicants

If you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are now extending with the same partner, you are protected by transitional rules. You remain subject to the old financial requirement structure:

Circumstances	Financial Threshold
Sponsor + partner, no dependent children	£18,600
Sponsor + partner + 1 dependent child	£22,400
Sponsor + partner + 2 dependent children	£24,800
Each additional child beyond 2	+£2,400 per child, capped at £29,000

These transitional rules are confirmed in the Home Office caseworker guidance updated in November 2025 and are expected to remain in place until the Government announces any future reform. Critically, the protection is lost if you switch to a different partner — a new application would be subject to the £29,000 rule.

Quick Answer — Transitional Rules
If you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, the old £18,600 threshold still applies to you. Child additions (£3,800 for the first child, £2,400 per additional child) also still apply, capped at £29,000.

4. What Income Sources Count?

The financial requirement can be met using income from a number of specified sources set out in Appendix FM-SE (Specified Evidence). Not all income qualifies — only the sources explicitly listed in the Rules count.

Income Source	Counts?	Notes
Salaried employment (Category A)	✅ Yes	Employed 6+ months with current employer
Salaried employment (Category B)	✅ Yes	Employed less than 6 months — averaged over 12 months
Self-employment income	✅ Yes	Net profit declared to HMRC — 12 months evidence required
State pension	✅ Yes	Award letter + 3 months bank statements
Private / occupational pension	✅ Yes	Pension award letter + 3 months bank statements
Rental income (HMRC declared)	✅ Yes	Must be sponsor’s property; evidenced with tenancy agreement + bank statements
Dividends from own company	✅ Yes	Must be combined with salary; CT600, SA302, dividend vouchers required
Universal Credit / Working Tax Credit	❌ No	State benefits do not count (unless exemption applies)
Child Benefit / Child Tax Credit	❌ No	Does not count towards the threshold
Overseas employment income (job being left)	❌ No	Income from a job the applicant is leaving cannot be used for entry clearance
Applicant’s overseas income	❌ No (entry clearance)	Only counts for in-country switching where job continues
Cash savings above £16,000	✅ Partial	Used via formula to supplement shortfall — see Section 7

Quick Answer — Qualifying Income Sources
Qualifying income includes: salaried employment (Category A or B), self-employment, pension income, HMRC-declared rental income, and dividends from your own company. State benefits, overseas income from a job being left, and most non-employment income do not count.

5. Category A vs Category B Employment Explained

For salaried employment, the Rules distinguish between two categories depending on your employment history:

Category A — Employed 6 Months or More With Current Employer

You qualify if you have been continuously employed by your current employer for at least 6 months at the date of application and your gross annual salary is £29,000 or above throughout that 6-month period. If you received a pay rise within those 6 months that lifted you above £29,000, you can only use the new salary if you have been earning it for the full 6 months. If not, you will fall into Category B.

Practical Example — Category A Timing Trap: Jack earns £28,000 and has worked for his employer for two years. Three months ago he was promoted and now earns £30,500. At the date of application, Jack does not meet Category A — because he has not earned above £29,000 for the full 6 months. He can only rely on his £28,000 base salary under Category A. He may be able to supplement this with cash savings to cover the £1,000 shortfall.

Category B — Employed Less Than 6 Months or Recently Changed Jobs

If you have changed employer within the last 6 months, or have been employed for less than 6 months total, you fall into Category B. The calculation uses your total gross income from salaried employment over the last 12 months. This total must reach £29,000. Evidence includes payslips and bank statements from all jobs held in the past 12 months, plus employer letters from each employer.

Quick Answer — Category A vs Category B
Category A: employed by same employer for 6+ months, earning above £29,000 throughout. Category B: employed less than 6 months or recently changed jobs — income averaged over 12 months. A recent pay rise only counts for Category A once it has been in place for the full 6 months.

6. Self-Employed Sponsors

Self-employed sponsors must demonstrate net profit of at least £29,000 in the most recent full financial year declared to HMRC. Unlike employed sponsors, self-employed income is based on the full tax year, not a rolling 6-month period.

Required evidence for self-employed sponsors:

SA302 tax calculation for the most recent tax year
HMRC Tax Year Overview confirming the SA302
Company accounts (if operating as a limited company)
CT600 corporation tax return (limited company)
12 months of business bank statements
12 months of personal bank statements
Evidence of registration with HMRC as self-employed

Director/Shareholder Warning: If you are a director of your own limited company and take a salary below £29,000 supplemented by dividends, you must combine both salary and declared dividends to reach the threshold. Retained profits in the company do not count — only declared and paid dividends.

For the full guide to self-employment categories, the specified limited company rules, and the savings restriction, see our dedicated spouse visa self-employed guide.

7. Using Savings to Meet the Requirement

If your income falls below £29,000, you may be able to make up the shortfall using cash savings. However, savings are not treated as equivalent to income on a pound-for-pound basis.

The Savings Formula

Required savings = (Annual income shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000

The £16,000 is deducted first because this is the level above which a person generally stops being eligible for income-related benefits — savings below this level are disregarded entirely.

Sponsor’s Annual Income	Shortfall	Minimum Qualifying Savings
£0 (no income)	£29,000	£88,500
£20,000	£9,000	£38,500
£23,000	£6,000	£31,000
£26,000	£3,000	£23,500
£29,000+	£0	No savings required

Rules for Qualifying Savings

Savings must be held in a bank or building society account
They must have been held for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before the application date
Six consecutive months of bank statements must show the balance continuously throughout — if the balance dips below the required amount at any point, even briefly, the savings do not qualify
Savings can be held jointly
Cash ISA savings qualify provided the funds are instantly accessible — fixed-term or notice ISAs may not qualify
Savings held in overseas accounts can qualify if held in a regulated financial institution; the Home Office converts to sterling using the Oanda.com exchange rate at the date of application

Quick Answer — Using Savings
Savings above £16,000 can top up an income shortfall using this formula: (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. A sponsor earning £23,000 needs £31,000 in savings. Savings must be held continuously for 6 months — any dip below the required amount during that period disqualifies them.

Not Sure Your Savings Will Qualify?

The savings rules are more specific than most guides explain. The 6-month continuous holding requirement, the 28-day evidence rule, and the formula calculation all need to be right. A single misstep — a dip in balance, a statement that is one day too old — can disqualify months of careful planning.

For the full breakdown of what counts as savings, the 6-month rule, and foreign currency conversion, see our dedicated guide to spouse visa savings.

Check Your Savings Position — Free Risk Check →

8. Combining Income Sources

Multiple qualifying income sources can be combined to reach £29,000. Common combinations include:

Salaried employment income + cash savings (most common)
Salary + rental income
Salary + pension income
Director’s salary + dividends
Two jobs (both salaried) combined

What cannot be combined:

Income the sponsor has not yet received
Overseas employment income from a job being left (for entry clearance)
Income that falls outside the specified categories in Appendix FM-SE
State benefits (other than those creating the adequate maintenance exemption)

9. Exemptions From the Financial Requirement

The £29,000 income threshold does not apply where the sponsor in the UK receives one of the following specified benefits:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Severe Disablement Allowance
Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Constant Attendance Allowance (War Pensions Scheme)
Mobility Supplement (War Pensions Scheme)
War Disablement Pension

Where an exemption applies, the couple must instead demonstrate adequate maintenance — that is, they have sufficient income and housing to support themselves without additional recourse to public funds. A caseworker will assess this based on total household income relative to the family’s outgoings and needs.

For the full calculation and worked examples, see our dedicated guide to the adequate maintenance test.

Quick Answer — Exemptions
The £29,000 threshold does not apply if the UK sponsor receives specified disability or armed forces benefits (including PIP, DLA, Carer’s Allowance, and others). Instead, the couple must demonstrate “adequate maintenance” — sufficient household income to support themselves without public funds.

10. The Financial Requirement and Children

One of the key changes introduced in April 2024 was the removal of child additions. Under the new rules, the £29,000 threshold applies regardless of how many children are included in the application.

However, for transitional applicants (those who first applied before 11 April 2024), the child addition structure still applies — see the table in Section 3. A dependent child for these purposes means any non-British or non-settled child under 18, or who was under 18 when they first applied under Appendix FM.

11. Evidence Checklist

Financial evidence must generally be no older than 28 days at the date of submission. All documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

Category A Salaried Employment

6 months of payslips (consecutive, most recent)
6 months of personal bank statements showing salary payments
Employer letter confirming: job title, salary, start date, contract type (permanent/fixed-term), and that employment is ongoing

Category B Salaried Employment

Payslips covering all salaried employment in the past 12 months
Bank statements covering all salaried employment in the past 12 months
Employer letter(s) from all employers in the past 12 months

Self-Employment

SA302 tax calculation (most recent full tax year)
HMRC Tax Year Overview confirming the SA302
12 months of business bank statements
12 months of personal bank statements
Company accounts (if limited company)
CT600 corporation tax return (if limited company)

Cash Savings

6 consecutive months of bank/building society statements
Statements must show the required balance throughout the entire 6-month period
Statements must not be older than 28 days at submission

Pension Income

Pension award letter confirming annual amount
3 months of bank statements showing pension payments received

Rental Income

Tenancy agreement
12 months of bank statements showing rental payments received
Evidence of HMRC declaration (SA302 or letter)

12. Common Mistakes That Lead to Refusal

The financial requirement is one of the most common grounds for UK spouse visa refusal. Here are the mistakes most frequently seen:

Mistake	Why It Causes Refusal	How to Avoid It
Bank statements older than 28 days at submission	Appendix FM-SE requires documents to be current — stale statements are routinely refused	Order fresh statements immediately before applying; do not rely on downloaded PDFs older than 28 days
Salary paid into a different account from statements provided	Caseworker cannot verify the salary without seeing it land in the account	Always provide statements for the account salary is paid into
Category A timing error — relying on a recent pay rise	Must have earned above £29,000 for the full 6 months — a recent rise does not qualify	Check your 6-month history; use Category B or top up with savings if needed
Savings dipping below required amount at any point	Even a one-day dip disqualifies the savings for that 6-month period	Ring-fence savings in a dedicated account 6 months before applying
Employer letter missing required details	Letter must confirm salary, job title, start date and contract type — vague letters are rejected	Provide a template to your HR department showing exactly what is required
Relying on income that does not qualify	Universal Credit, Child Benefit and overseas income from a job being left cannot be used	Review the qualifying income list in Appendix FM-SE carefully before applying
Counting retained company profits (directors)	Only declared and paid dividends count — retained profits in the company are ignored	Ensure dividends are formally declared and paid before the application date
Forgetting the requirement applies at extension and ILR too	Many applicants meet the threshold initially but fail at extension if income changes	Monitor income throughout the visa period; flag any changes to your solicitor

For the full guide to self-employment categories, the specified limited company rules, and the savings restriction, see our dedicated spouse visa self-employed guide.

13. Martin Taggart’s Practical Insight

Martin Taggart — Solicitor, MySpouseVisa.com

The financial requirement is the single most common reason I see spouse visa applications refused — and in the majority of cases, the refusal was entirely avoidable.

The rules appear straightforward on the surface: earn £29,000, provide 6 payslips, done. In practice, the detailed requirements in Appendix FM-SE create traps that catch even well-prepared applicants. The 28-day rule on financial documents is one of the most unforgiving — I have seen applications refused because bank statements downloaded 30 days before submission were one day outside the window. The Home Office does not exercise discretion here.

The savings route is particularly misunderstood. Many couples tell me they have “savings in the bank” and assume this resolves their shortfall. What they often haven’t appreciated is the 6-month continuous holding requirement. Moving money between accounts, receiving a large payment, or paying for the application itself from the savings account can all disrupt the continuity and disqualify the funds.

For directors of limited companies, the position is more nuanced than most online guides suggest. HMRC-declared dividends can be powerful — but timing is everything. Dividends must be formally declared and paid before the application date, and the evidence trail — CT600, company accounts, dividend vouchers — must be complete. Speak to both your accountant and your immigration solicitor before structuring your income for an application.

Finally, on the transitional rules: I regularly meet clients who applied before April 2024 and assume they are permanently protected at £18,600 forever. They are — but only if they are extending with the same partner. Any change of partner, or any circumstance requiring a fresh application, brings them into the new £29,000 rules immediately.

14. What Martin Taggart Sees Most Often

Most couples who contact MySpouseVisa.com about the financial requirement are not in difficulty because the rules are too high for them. They are in difficulty because something about how they earn, save or document their income does not fit neatly into the categories the Home Office expects. These are the patterns that repeat most frequently.

The Bank Statement Problem

This is the single most common avoidable issue. The rules are unambiguous: financial documents must be no older than 28 days at the point of submission. Yet many couples download their bank statements a month before they are ready to submit and assume they will be fine. They are not.

The second bank statement problem is subtler: the statements provided are for the wrong account. If your salary is paid into Account A but you provided statements for Account B — the account you use for day-to-day spending — a caseworker cannot verify that the salary is being received. Both sets of statements are needed.

The Employer Letter Gap

Appendix FM-SE sets out exactly what an employer letter must contain: your name, your employer’s name and address, your job title, your gross annual salary, your start date, whether your contract is permanent or fixed-term, and confirmation that your employment is ongoing. A letter that says “Sarah has been employed as a Marketing Manager earning £32,000 since March 2023” sounds comprehensive — but it does not state whether the contract is permanent. That omission is sufficient for a caseworker to raise a query or reject the evidence.

Prepare the template yourself and hand it to your HR department. Tell them it is for a UK visa application and that it must include every item on the list. Do not rely on a generic employment reference letter.

The Savings Timing Mistake

The most expensive savings mistake is when a couple consolidates funds for the application — moving money from multiple accounts, or receiving a gift from parents — within the six-month window. Even if the final total is well above the required amount, the appearance of a large deposit partway through the six-month period invites scrutiny. The Home Office requires that the money has been continuously held throughout the period.

If you are planning to use savings, plan six months ahead. Consolidate everything into one account, ensure it reaches the required total, and leave it alone.

The Self-Employment Tax Year Trap

Self-employed sponsors must use income from the most recent complete HMRC tax year. If you are applying in August, your most recent complete tax year ended in April — just four months earlier. But if your income has grown significantly in the current year, you cannot use that current year’s figures. You are assessed on last year’s income. For self-employed sponsors whose income is growing, timing the application carefully around the tax year is important.

The ILR Assumption

A significant number of people believe that once their spouse visa is granted, the financial requirement has been dealt with. It has not. The requirement must be met again at the extension application and again at the ILR application. For ILR, both the sponsor’s and the applicant’s UK income can be combined — a significant advantage that is often not appreciated early enough.

Quick Answer — What Goes Wrong Most Often
The most common financial requirement failures are: bank statements older than 28 days, employer letters missing required details, savings that dip below the threshold during the 6-month holding period, and self-employed income assessed on last year’s figures. All are avoidable with preparation.

15. Common Real-World Scenarios

The financial requirement looks straightforward in the abstract. In reality, most people’s situations involve at least one complication. These are the questions most frequently asked by the couples who contact us.

Scenario 1: “I earn £28,500. Can I still apply?”

Direct answer: Yes — but you will need savings to cover the shortfall.

You are £500 short of the £29,000 threshold. Required savings: (£500 × 2.5) + £16,000 = £17,250. This is a modest requirement and well within reach for most applicants.

Risk: If your salary was raised to £28,500 in the past 6 months, you can only rely on the previous salary for Category A purposes. Check your payslips carefully.

Scenario 2: “I started a new job 3 months ago earning £35,000.”

Direct answer: You can apply but you cannot use Category A.

You fall into Category B. Your income is averaged across the last 12 months. If your previous job also paid well, the 12-month average may still reach £29,000. If your previous salary was lower, your average may fall short and savings may be needed.

Risk: People often assume that because they currently earn well above the threshold, Category B is a formality. It is not. The 12-month average can be significantly lower than current salary if there was a period of lower earnings or unemployment.

Scenario 3: “My partner lives overseas. Does their income count?”

Direct answer: No — for an entry clearance application from overseas, only the UK sponsor’s income counts.

The applicant’s overseas income — even if substantial — cannot be used to meet the financial requirement for an initial application from outside the UK.

Risk: If the applicant is already in the UK and working, and is applying to switch status from within the UK, their income from a job they will continue can be counted. If they are overseas, it cannot.

Scenario 4: “We have £50,000 in savings but I earn £20,000.”

Direct answer: You meet the financial requirement.

Your shortfall is £9,000. Required savings: (£9,000 × 2.5) + £16,000 = £38,500. You have £50,000 — you are comfortably over. Ensure it has been held continuously for 6 months.

Scenario 5: “I am self-employed and earned £31,000 last year but only £22,000 the year before.”

Direct answer: You meet the requirement — but timing matters.

Self-employed income is assessed on the most recent complete HMRC tax year. If your SA302 for the most recent tax year shows £31,000, you meet the threshold.

Risk: If you are applying before you have submitted your most recent tax return and received your SA302, you cannot use the current year’s income. Plan your application timing around the tax year end.

Scenario 6: “I receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP).”

Direct answer: The standard £29,000 threshold does not apply to you.

PIP is one of the qualifying disability benefits that triggers the adequate maintenance exemption. Instead of proving £29,000 in income, you and your partner must demonstrate that your household income — after deducting housing and council tax costs — is sufficient to support the family without recourse to public funds.

Risk: Adequate maintenance is a discretionary assessment and less predictable than the fixed income threshold. Specialist advice is strongly recommended.

Scenario 7: “I have rental income of £15,000 and a salary of £16,000.”

Direct answer: You can combine both — and may meet the threshold.

Rental income declared to HMRC can be combined with salaried income: £15,000 + £16,000 = £31,000, which exceeds £29,000. Evidence required: tenancy agreement, 12 months of bank statements showing rental receipts, evidence of HMRC declaration, payslips and employer letter.

Scenario 8: “We are applying from inside the UK — my partner is on a different visa.”

Direct answer: Both incomes can count — if your partner’s job will continue after the visa is granted.

In-country switching applications allow the applicant’s UK income to be included, provided the income comes from employment they will continue after the visa is granted. This is a significant advantage over entry clearance applications.

Scenario 9: “I am a director paying myself £15,000 salary and £18,000 in dividends.”

Direct answer: You meet the threshold — £33,000 — but the evidence trail is complex.

Director’s salary and declared dividends can be combined. You will need: SA302, HMRC Tax Year Overview, CT600, company accounts, dividend vouchers, and 12 months of both business and personal bank statements. All dividends must be formally declared and paid.

Scenario 10: “I earn £29,500 but only got this salary 4 months ago after a promotion.”

Direct answer: You cannot use Category A. You must use Category B.

For Category A, you must have earned above £29,000 throughout the full 6 months before application. Under Category B, if your previous salary was lower, your 12-month average may fall short of £29,000 and savings will be needed to cover any shortfall. Waiting just 2 more months before applying would allow you to use Category A entirely.

Scenario 11: “My savings are in a cash ISA.”

Direct answer: ISA savings can qualify — provided they are instantly accessible.

A flexible cash ISA qualifies. A fixed-term ISA where funds are locked does not. Evidence required is 6 consecutive months of ISA statements showing the balance throughout the period.

Scenario 12: “My savings are held in an overseas bank account.”

Direct answer: Overseas savings can qualify — if held in a regulated institution.

The Home Office converts the savings to sterling using the Oanda.com exchange rate at the date of application. If your savings are in a volatile currency, factor in the exchange rate risk.

Scenario 13: “I cannot meet the financial requirement — but leaving the UK would cause serious hardship.”

Direct answer: An Article 8 / exceptional circumstances application may be possible — but this is a high bar.

Where refusal would result in “unjustifiably harsh consequences” — including where a British child would effectively be forced to leave the UK — the Home Office may exercise discretion to grant the visa despite the financial requirement not being met. This requires detailed personal evidence and specialist legal advice.

Important consequence: if a visa is granted on exceptional circumstances grounds without the financial requirement being met, the ILR route is extended to 10 years rather than 5.

Scenario 14: “I have two part-time jobs. Can I combine them?”

Direct answer: Yes — both salaried incomes can be combined.

Income from two separate salaried employments can be combined to reach £29,000. Evidence for both jobs is required: payslips, bank statements, and an employer letter from each employer.

Scenario 15: “I receive a state pension of £22,000 and rent out a room in my house for £8,000 a year.”

Direct answer: You may meet the threshold — but the rental income qualification is a borderline case requiring specialist advice.

State pension income counts towards the financial requirement. However, rental income from renting a room in your own home (as opposed to a separately tenanted property) is a borderline case under the current rules. Seek specialist advice before relying on room rental income as a qualifying source. If the rental income does not qualify, savings would be needed to cover the £7,000 shortfall (required savings: £33,500).

Quick Answer — Real-World Scenarios
The financial requirement applies differently depending on your income type, employment tenure, savings position and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. The rules allow multiple income sources to be combined. Getting the evidence right matters as much as the income level itself.

16. Alternative Routes: Comparison Table

If the sponsor does not currently meet the £29,000 financial requirement, it is worth considering whether an alternative immigration route may be available:

Route	Financial Requirement	Who Qualifies	Key Limitation
UK Spouse Visa (standard)	£29,000 gross/year	British citizens, ILR holders, Settled Status holders	Must be met by sponsor only (entry clearance)
Skilled Worker Visa (partner as dependant)	Skilled Worker salary threshold (£38,700 for most roles)	Applicant qualifies as a Skilled Worker in their own right	Applicant must have a qualifying job offer
Graduate Visa	No minimum income requirement	Applicant recently graduated from UK university	Time-limited: 2–3 years depending on qualification level
Adequate Maintenance (benefit exemption)	No fixed threshold — adequacy assessed by caseworker	Sponsor receives qualifying disability/armed forces benefit	Discretionary assessment — no guaranteed outcome
Exceptional Circumstances / Article 8	No fixed threshold — “unjustifiably harsh consequences” test	Where strict application would breach Article 8 ECHR	High evidential bar; ILR route extended to 10 years

17. When the Financial Requirement Cannot Be Met: Exceptional Circumstances and Article 8

Not meeting the financial requirement does not automatically mean refusal. The Immigration Rules contain a provision allowing the Home Office to grant a visa — or to waive the financial requirement entirely — where strict application of the rules would produce “unjustifiably harsh consequences” for the applicant, the sponsor, or their family.

The Two Tests

“Could” be unjustifiably harsh: The Home Office may take into account other sources of financial support — such as a guaranteed job offer or financial assistance from family — that would not otherwise count.
“Would” be unjustifiably harsh: The financial requirement may be waived entirely. This is the higher test and requires compelling evidence that no reasonable alternative exists.

When This Route Is Relevant

A British child would effectively be forced to leave the UK if the visa is refused
One partner has a serious medical condition that cannot be adequately treated outside the UK
The couple has already lived in the UK together for an extended period and has deep roots here
There are significant obstacles to family life in any third country

The 10-Year Consequence

If a visa is granted on exceptional circumstances grounds — where the financial requirement was not met — the route to ILR is extended from the standard 5 years to 10 years. Settlement takes twice as long. This should be understood before choosing this route.

Quick Answer — Exceptional Circumstances
If the financial requirement cannot be met, a visa may still be granted where refusal would cause “unjustifiably harsh consequences” — for example, if a British child would be forced to leave the UK. However, if a visa is granted on this basis, the route to ILR is extended from 5 to 10 years.

18. The MySpouseVisa.com Framework: Five Things That Catch Applicants Out

After reviewing hundreds of spouse visa enquiries, five patterns repeat themselves with striking consistency. Martin Taggart has named them here so that applicants — and future guides on this site — can refer to them directly.

🔴 Framework 1: The 28-Day Window Problem

Financial evidence expires. A salary verified today is unverifiable in 29 days. Most refusals on documentation grounds occur because applicants prepared their evidence pack well — but too early. The result is a set of technically perfect documents that are simply out of date by the time the application is submitted.

The lesson: Do not prepare your financial evidence until your entire application is ready to submit. Order bank statements last.

🔴 Framework 2: The Promotion Paradox

A pay rise can make you worse off for a spouse visa application — temporarily. If your salary was £27,000 for two years and you were promoted to £32,000 three months ago, you do not meet Category A. You fall into Category B, where the 12-month average — blending your old and new salary — may come in below £29,000. You could earn significantly more than the threshold and still fail the financial requirement because of when your pay rise occurred.

The lesson: If you have recently received a pay rise that takes you above £29,000, consider waiting until 6 months have passed before applying. Two months of patience can save months of delays from a refused application.

🔴 Framework 3: The Savings Continuity Rule

Savings for a spouse visa are not assessed on what you have at the point of application. They are assessed on what you have had continuously for the 6 months before application. A single day where the balance dips below the required amount — even by £1, even due to a bank charge — can invalidate 6 months of careful planning.

The lesson: Use a dedicated, fee-free savings account for the 6-month holding period. Transfer the required amount in one transaction at the start. Make no withdrawals. Leave it alone.

🔴 Framework 4: The Extension Blindspot

Many couples focus intensely on the initial visa application and treat the extension as something to deal with later. The financial requirement must be met at the initial application, at the first extension (after 2.5 years), and at the ILR application. Couples who meet the requirement initially but experience income reduction in the following years can find themselves unable to extend. The good news: for extensions and ILR, the applicant’s UK income can be combined with the sponsor’s — a significant advantage that is often not known about until it is needed.

The lesson: Plan your financial position for the entire 5-year route, not just the initial application.

🔴 Framework 5: The Director’s Evidence Chain

For limited company directors, the financial requirement is met by combining salary and dividends. But the evidence chain is more complex than for employed applicants, and a single missing document breaks it. The Home Office needs to see: that the company is real (accounts, CT600); that it made enough profit (accounts); that dividends were declared (board minutes and dividend vouchers); and that those dividends were paid (bank statements). A single missing link breaks the chain.

The lesson: Directors must treat this as an audit. Work through the evidence chain with both your accountant and your immigration solicitor before the application date.

19. Glossary of Key Terms

Appendix FM — The section of the UK Immigration Rules governing family members. Sets out the eligibility requirements for spouse, partner, parent and child visas.

Appendix FM-SE — Specified Evidence. Sets out exactly what documents must be provided to evidence each element of an Appendix FM application, including the financial requirement.

Article 8 ECHR — The right to respect for private and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. Relevant where refusal of a visa would interfere disproportionately with established family life.

Category A Employment — Salaried employment where the sponsor has been with their current employer for 6 or more consecutive months and earns above the financial threshold.

Category B Employment — Salaried employment where the sponsor has been with their current employer for less than 6 months or has changed employer recently. Income is averaged over 12 months.

Exceptional Circumstances — A discretionary basis on which a visa may be granted despite the financial requirement not being met, where refusal would produce unjustifiably harsh consequences. Where this applies, the route to ILR is extended to 10 years.

Financial Requirement / Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) — The minimum level of income or financial resources a sponsor must demonstrate to bring a partner to the UK. Currently £29,000 gross per year for new applications.

Adequate Maintenance — The alternative test applied where the standard financial requirement does not apply (e.g. benefit exemptions). The couple must show they can support themselves without recourse to public funds.

ILR — Indefinite Leave to Remain — Settlement status granted to those who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period. Standard route is 5 years; extended to 10 years for those who receive a visa on exceptional circumstances grounds.

MAC — Migration Advisory Committee — An independent advisory body providing evidence-based analysis on immigration policy. Published its review of the financial requirement in June 2025.

No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) — A condition attached to most visas preventing the holder from claiming most means-tested state benefits.

Sponsor — The UK-based British citizen or person with settled status applying to bring their overseas partner to the UK.

Transitional Applicant — A person who first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and is extending with the same partner. They remain subject to the old £18,600 financial requirement structure.

10-Year Route — The extended settlement route (10 years rather than 5) that applies where a visa is granted on exceptional circumstances grounds without the financial requirement being met.

Still Have Questions About Your Specific Situation?

The FAQ below covers the most common questions — but every case is different. If your income is a combination of sources, if you are self-employed, or if you are close to the threshold, the details of your situation matter enormously. Martin Taggart offers a fixed-fee initial assessment of your financial position against the current rules.

Get a Personal Assessment — Free Risk Check →

20. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the current financial requirement for a UK spouse visa in 2026?

The current threshold is £29,000 gross per year. This has been in place since 11 April 2024 and remains unchanged as of June 2026. Those who applied before 11 April 2024 remain on the old £18,600 threshold.

Q2: Can my partner’s income count towards the requirement?

Only for in-country switching applications where the applicant is already working in the UK in a job they will continue after the visa is granted. For entry clearance applications from overseas, only the sponsor’s income counts.

Q3: How much savings do I need if I don’t earn £29,000?

Use the formula: (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. If you earn £23,000 (£6,000 short), you need £31,000 in qualifying savings held for at least 6 consecutive months.

Q4: Do I need more money if I have children?

For new applicants from 11 April 2024, no — the £29,000 threshold is flat regardless of children. For transitional applicants (first applied before that date, extending with same partner), the old child addition structure applies.

Q5: What income counts towards the financial requirement?

Qualifying sources include: salaried employment (Category A or B), self-employment, pensions (state and private), rental income declared to HMRC, and dividends from your own company. State benefits and overseas employment income from a job being left do not count.

Q6: Is the £29,000 gross or net?

Gross. The £29,000 threshold is based on pre-tax income before National Insurance deductions.

Q7: What is Category A vs Category B employment?

Category A: employed with current employer for 6+ months, earning above threshold throughout. Category B: employed less than 6 months or recently changed jobs — income averaged over 12 months across all salaried employment.

Q8: Are there any exemptions from the financial requirement?

Yes — if the sponsor receives certain disability or armed forces benefits (including PIP, DLA, Carer’s Allowance, and several others), the fixed threshold does not apply. An adequate maintenance test is used instead.

Q9: Is the financial requirement likely to change in 2026?

The £29,000 threshold remains in place as of June 2026. The Migration Advisory Committee published its review in June 2025, recommending against further increases and suggesting a lower threshold may be more appropriate. The Labour Government has not announced any changes in response.

Q10: Can I use a loan or money gifted from family to meet the savings requirement?

The savings must be genuinely held and the 6-month continuous holding requirement must be met. Borrowed money or short-term deposits intended to be returned are considered deceptive and can lead to refusal and deception findings. Gifted funds that have been held continuously for 6 months are less straightforward — seek specialist advice.

Q11: Does the financial requirement apply at extension and ILR?

Yes — the financial requirement must be met at the initial application, at any extension, and at the ILR application. For extensions and ILR, both the sponsor’s and applicant’s UK income can be combined to reach the threshold.

Q12: What if I am self-employed and my income fluctuates?

Self-employed income is assessed based on the most recent full HMRC tax year. If your income was above £29,000 in the last complete tax year, you may meet the requirement even if income fluctuates during the year.

Q13: Can my savings in an overseas bank account be used?

Yes — overseas savings can qualify if held in a financial institution regulated by a recognised regulatory body in that country. The Home Office converts to sterling using the Oanda.com exchange rate at the date of application. Currency fluctuations can affect your sterling equivalent — review the exchange rate position carefully before your application date.

Q14: Can I use a cash ISA to meet the savings requirement?

Cash ISA savings can qualify provided the funds are instantly accessible. A flexible cash ISA qualifies; a fixed-term ISA with a notice or lock-in period may not. Check the terms of your ISA before relying on it, and seek specialist advice if you are unsure.

Q15: What happens if I cannot meet the financial requirement and there are no exemptions?

You may still be able to apply on exceptional circumstances / Article 8 ECHR grounds if refusal would produce unjustifiably harsh consequences for your family. This is a discretionary route requiring detailed evidence and specialist legal advice. Be aware that if a visa is granted on this basis, the route to ILR is extended from 5 to 10 years.

References and Official Sources

GOV.UK — Family visas: Financial requirements if you’re applying as a partner or spouse
UK Immigration Rules — Appendix FM: Family Members
UK Immigration Rules — Appendix FM-SE: Specified Evidence
Home Office — Family Migration: Appendix FM Section FM 1.7 Financial Requirement (updated November 2025)
House of Commons Library — The financial (minimum income) requirement for partner visas (updated December 2025)
Migration Advisory Committee — Family Route: Financial Requirements Review (June 2025)
Migration Observatory, University of Oxford — Family Migration to the UK (October 2023)
Freemovement.org.uk — Appendix FM financial requirements (updated August 2025)

This page was last reviewed by Martin Taggart, Solicitor, in June 2026. Next scheduled review: September 2026. If you believe any information on this page requires updating, please contact us.