Important: This guide provides general legal information, not legal advice. Every case is different. If you are unsure whether your savings will qualify, complete our free UK Spouse Visa Risk Check.
Quick Answer: How Much Savings Do You Need for a UK Spouse Visa?
Cash savings can meet the UK spouse visa financial requirement either on their own or to top up income that falls short of £29,000. The amount needed is set by a formula in Appendix FM-SE: £16,000 plus 2.5 times the income shortfall. If you have no qualifying income at all, the shortfall is the full £29,000, giving a total savings requirement of £88,500.
Savings must be held in cash, freely available, and owned continuously for at least 6 months before the date of application. Money held in stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds, or a stocks-and-shares ISA does not count while it remains invested — it must first be converted to cash.
Note: cash savings cannot be combined with Category F or G self-employment income. See our self-employed sponsor guide for details.
📋 At a Glance
- Savings formula: £16,000 + (income shortfall × 2.5)
- Savings alone (no income): £88,500
- Holding period: 6 continuous months before application
- Must be: cash, freely available, evidenced by bank statements
- Does NOT count while invested: stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds, stocks-and-shares ISAs
- Foreign currency: converted to GBP at the closing spot rate on the date of application
- Key legislation: Appendix FM-SE, paragraphs 11A(c) and 12B
- Evidence deadline: bank statements no older than 28 days at submission
⚠️ Savings That Look Sufficient Can Still Fail
The total isn’t the only thing that matters. The 6-month continuity rule, what counts as “cash,” and how foreign currency is converted all trip up applicants who have more than enough money. Our free Risk Check reviews your specific savings position against the current rules.
Table of Contents
1. The Savings Formula Explained
The figure you need is set out in Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules and follows a fixed formula:
Required savings = £16,000 + (Income shortfall × 2.5)
The £16,000 baseline is fixed regardless of income. The shortfall is the gap between the sponsor’s actual qualifying income and the £29,000 threshold. With no qualifying income at all, the shortfall is the full £29,000 — giving £16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5) = £16,000 + £72,500 = £88,500.
| Sponsor’s Annual Income | Shortfall | Required Savings |
|---|---|---|
| £0 (no income) | £29,000 | £88,500 |
| £15,000 | £14,000 | £51,000 |
| £20,000 | £9,000 | £38,500 |
| £23,000 | £6,000 | £31,000 |
| £26,000 | £3,000 | £23,500 |
| £28,500 | £500 | £17,250 |
| £29,000+ | £0 | No savings required |
Quick Answer — The Savings Formula
Required savings = £16,000 + (income shortfall × 2.5). With zero qualifying income, this gives £88,500. The £16,000 baseline never changes; only the shortfall multiplier varies with your actual income.
2. What Counts as Cash Savings?
Not all money counts. Appendix FM-SE is specific about what qualifies as “cash savings” for the financial requirement.
| Asset Type | Counts as Cash Savings? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Money in a current or savings account | ✅ Yes | The most straightforward qualifying form |
| Money in a cash ISA (instant access) | ✅ Yes | Must be freely and immediately accessible |
| Cash ISA with notice period or lock-in | ⚠️ Risk | May not count if not instantly accessible |
| Stocks and shares (while invested) | ❌ No | Must be sold and converted to cash first |
| Stocks-and-shares ISA | ❌ No | Same — must be converted to cash before the 6-month clock can start |
| Bonds and trust funds | ❌ No (while held) | Must be converted to cash and evidenced via a regulated financial organisation’s portfolio report |
| Pension funds not yet accessible | ❌ No | Cannot be drawn, so cannot count |
| Business assets | ❌ No | Not cash savings under the Rules |
| Money belonging to a third party | ❌ No | Must be owned by the applicant, sponsor, or both jointly |
| Proceeds from a property sale | ✅ Yes — with conditions | Must be held in cash with evidence of the sale and transfer |
Quick Answer — What Counts as Cash Savings
Only genuinely accessible cash counts — bank or building society accounts and instant-access cash ISAs. Stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds, and stocks-and-shares ISAs do not count while invested; they must be converted to cash first, which restarts the 6-month holding clock.
⚠️ Investments converted to cash: Under paragraph 11A(c) of Appendix FM-SE, money converted from investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds within the 6 months before application can still qualify — but only if ownership, the cash value before conversion, and the transfer into cash are all evidenced by a portfolio report or similar documentation from a regulated financial organisation. Without this evidence trail, the funds may be rejected even if genuinely held.
3. The 6-Month Holding Rule
Savings must have been owned and controlled by the applicant, sponsor, or both jointly for at least 6 consecutive months before the date of application. This is assessed on the date of application — which is the date the Home Office receives it, not the date it was submitted online if there’s a delay.
The critical detail most guides understate: the balance must remain at or above the required amount throughout the entire 6-month period — not just at the start and end. A single day where the balance dips below the required figure, for any reason, breaks the continuity.
- Evidence is 6 consecutive months of bank or building society statements
- Statements must show the qualifying balance maintained throughout, not just at two points in time
- The most recent statement must be no older than 28 days at the date of submission
- Savings can be held jointly between sponsor and applicant
Quick Answer — The 6-Month Rule
Savings must be held continuously for 6 months before application, with the balance staying at or above the required amount throughout — not just at the start and end. Any dip below the threshold, even briefly, breaks the continuity and disqualifies the savings for that period.
4. Combining Savings With Income
Savings are most commonly used to top up income that falls short of £29,000, rather than relied on alone. Under Category A employment (employed 6+ months with the current employer), employment income can be combined directly with cash savings using the formula above.
If the adequate maintenance route applies to you, savings work differently — see our guide to the adequate maintenance test for the divisor-based calculation.
Per paragraph 12B of Appendix FM-SE, the process is: establish the total qualifying cash savings, then add this — converted via the formula — to the income available to meet the requirement. The two are assessed together as a single combined calculation, not as two separate qualifying routes.
For full detail on how income categories work, see our UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement guide.
5. Foreign Currency Savings
Savings held in a foreign bank account can be used. They are converted to sterling at the closing spot exchange rate on the date of application, using a recognised currency converter — the application should show which rate and converter were used.
⚠️ Currency risk: Because conversion happens at the date of application, currency fluctuations between when you start holding the savings and when you apply can change your sterling-equivalent total — even if the foreign currency balance hasn’t moved at all. If you’re close to the threshold, build in a margin to absorb exchange rate movement.
Any bank statement not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
6. Evidence You Need to Provide
- 6 consecutive months of bank or building society statements
- Statements must not be older than 28 days at the date of submission
- For converted investments: a portfolio report or similar documentation from a regulated financial organisation evidencing ownership, prior cash value, and the transfer date
- For property sale proceeds: evidence of the sale and the transfer of funds into a cash account
- For foreign currency: statement showing the foreign balance, plus the conversion rate and converter used
- Certified translation for any statement not in English
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.
Not Sure Your Evidence Pack Is Complete?
Missing portfolio reports, statements with gaps, or a balance that dipped for one day are among the most common reasons savings-based applications fail. Our Risk Check reviews your evidence against the current rules before you submit.
7. Common Real-World Scenarios
Scenario: “I have £90,000 in a stocks-and-shares ISA. Does that cover me?”
Direct answer: Not yet — it needs to be converted to cash first.
While invested, a stocks-and-shares ISA does not count as cash savings. You would need to sell the holdings, transfer the proceeds into a cash account, and then start the 6-month holding clock from the date of that conversion — with a portfolio report evidencing the prior value and the transfer.
Risk: Converting late means waiting a further 6 months before applying. Plan this well ahead of your intended application date.
Scenario: “My balance dropped below the required amount for two days when a bill came out.”
Direct answer: This likely breaks the continuity for that 6-month period.
The rule requires the qualifying balance to be maintained throughout, not just at the start and end. Even a brief, explainable dip — a direct debit, a bank fee — can be treated as breaking the continuous holding requirement.
Risk: Use a dedicated savings account with no direct debits or standing payments coming out of it during the 6-month window.
Scenario: “I sold my flat and have £100,000 in my account from 3 weeks ago.”
Direct answer: This alone does not yet meet the 6-month holding requirement.
Even though the funds are genuinely yours and clearly evidenced by the property sale, the 6-month clock for cash savings starts from when the money was held in cash form — not from when you first owned the underlying asset. You would need to wait until the funds have been held in cash for 6 consecutive months.
Risk: If you’re relying on proceeds from a recent sale, factor in the wait — it is rarely available in time for an urgent application.
Scenario: “My savings are in a US dollar account.”
Direct answer: Yes, foreign currency savings can be used.
The Home Office converts the balance to sterling at the closing spot rate on the date of application, using a recognised currency converter. Make sure your application clearly shows the converter and rate used.
Risk: Exchange rate movement between when you started holding the savings and the application date can push your sterling total below the required amount even if the dollar balance hasn’t changed. Build in a buffer.
Scenario: “I earn £20,000 and have £30,000 in savings. Am I covered?”
Direct answer: Yes, with a margin to spare.
Shortfall is £9,000. Required savings: £16,000 + (£9,000 × 2.5) = £38,500. With only £30,000, you’d actually be £8,500 short — this example shows why it’s essential to run the calculation precisely rather than assume a “large enough” figure is sufficient.
Risk: Many applicants underestimate the multiplier effect of the formula. £30,000 sounds substantial but falls short here — always calculate exactly.
Scenario: “My parents gave me £40,000 as a gift two months ago.”
Direct answer: This does not yet meet the 6-month rule and needs careful handling.
Gifted funds can in principle count as savings once genuinely held, but the 6-month continuous holding period runs from when the funds arrived in your account — not before. A large, recent, unexplained deposit can also draw additional scrutiny from a caseworker.
Risk: [SOLICITOR REVIEW NEEDED: confirm current Home Office practice on evidencing gifted funds and whether a gift letter or deed is advisable alongside the bank statements.]
Scenario: “We hold a joint account — does it matter whose name the savings are in?”
Direct answer: No — savings can be held by the applicant, sponsor, or both jointly.
The Rules explicitly allow cash savings owned by either party or jointly to count, provided the 6-month holding and evidence requirements are met in the same way.
Risk: Ensure the account statements clearly show both names if held jointly, to avoid any ownership query.
Scenario: “I have £50,000 in premium bonds.”
Direct answer: This requires careful evidencing and is not as straightforward as a savings account.
Premium Bonds are NS&I products that aren’t a standard cash savings account, but they are cashable on demand. [SOLICITOR REVIEW NEEDED: confirm current Home Office treatment of NS&I Premium Bonds specifically — whether held value evidence alone suffices or whether cashing in and transferring to a standard account is required before the 6-month clock starts.]
Risk: Given the uncertainty, the safer approach is to cash in well ahead of the 6-month window and hold the funds in a standard account.
Quick Answer — Real-World Scenarios
The most common savings mistakes involve funds that haven’t been held in cash form for the full 6 months — whether from investments, property sales, or recent gifts — and balances that dip even briefly below the required amount. Genuine ownership alone isn’t sufficient; timing and continuity matter as much as the total.
8. The MySpouseVisa.com Savings Frameworks
Two patterns specific to savings-based applications come up repeatedly in practice.
🔴 The Conversion Clock Reset
Many applicants assume that because they’ve “owned” an asset for years — shares, a property, a trust fund — that ownership history counts toward the 6-month savings requirement. It doesn’t. The clock only starts once the asset has been converted into genuine cash savings. A property owned for a decade and sold three months ago still means only three months of qualifying cash savings, not ten years of ownership.
The lesson: If you intend to rely on savings derived from selling an asset, convert it to cash at least 6 months before you plan to apply — not 6 months before you plan to submit the final paperwork.
🔴 The Round Number Trap
Applicants often aim for a round, comfortable-sounding savings figure — £30,000, £50,000 — without running the actual formula against their specific income. Because the formula multiplies the shortfall by 2.5, the real requirement is often higher than intuition suggests, as the £30,000-with-£20,000-income scenario above shows. A savings total that feels generous can still fall short by a meaningful margin.
The lesson: Always run the precise formula against your actual income before assuming any savings figure is sufficient — never rely on a round number “feeling” adequate.
Still Have Questions About Your Specific Situation?
The FAQ below covers the most common questions — but savings cases vary enormously depending on the source of the funds. Martin Taggart offers a fixed-fee initial assessment of your savings position against the current rules.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much savings do I need for a UK spouse visa with no income?
£88,500, held continuously in cash for 6 months before application. This is calculated as £16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5).
Q2: Can stocks and shares count as savings?
Not while invested. They must be sold and converted to cash, with the 6-month holding period starting from the date of that conversion, evidenced by a portfolio report from a regulated financial organisation.
Q3: What happens if my savings balance drops temporarily during the 6 months?
The balance must be maintained at or above the required amount throughout the entire 6-month period. A temporary dip, even briefly, can break the continuous holding requirement.
Q4: Can savings be held jointly between sponsor and applicant?
Yes. Cash savings owned by the applicant, sponsor, or both jointly can count toward the financial requirement.
Q5: Can I use savings held in a foreign bank account?
Yes. They’re converted to sterling at the closing spot exchange rate on the date of application using a recognised currency converter, which should be clearly shown in your application.
Q6: Do savings need to be in a UK bank account?
No, but they must be held in an account regulated by a recognised regulatory body in the relevant country, with statements provided as evidence — translated into English if necessary.
Q7: Can I combine savings with employment income?
Yes. This is the most common use of the savings route — topping up a shortfall between actual income and £29,000, using the formula to calculate exactly how much in savings is needed.
Q8: How old can my bank statements be when I submit my application?
No older than 28 days at the date of submission.
Q9: Can money from a recent property sale be used immediately?
Not immediately. The funds need to have been held in cash for 6 consecutive months before application, evidenced by proof of the sale and the transfer into the cash account — ownership of the underlying property beforehand does not shorten this period.
Q10: Do pension funds count as savings?
Only once accessible and held in cash. Pension funds that cannot yet be drawn do not count as cash savings — though pension income itself (once in payment) can count as qualifying income under a separate category.
Related Topics on MySpouseVisa.com
Note: Links to /adequate-maintenance/, /spouse-visa-self-employed/, and other cluster pages will be added here as those pages are published.
References and Official Sources
- UK Immigration Rules — Appendix FM-SE: Specified Evidence (paragraphs 11A and 12B)
- GOV.UK — Family visas: Financial requirements if you’re applying as a partner or spouse
- Free Movement — What are the financial requirements for spouse and partner UK visas?
- Home Office — Family Migration: Appendix FM, Section FM 1.7 Financial Requirement (caseworker guidance)
This page was last reviewed by Martin Taggart, Solicitor, in June 2026. Next scheduled review: September 2026.