Bringing Your Spouse to the UK: The Financial Requirement Explained

What is the Minimum Income Requirement?

To sponsor your spouse or partner for a UK visa under Appendix FM, the UK-based sponsor must demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. This threshold has increased from the previous £18,600 level and represents one of the biggest barriers to family reunification in the UK.

How income is calculated

The Home Office accepts income from employment, self-employment, non-employment income (such as rent, dividends, or pensions), and cash savings above £16,000. The calculation method depends on your income source. For salaried employment, you generally need six months of payslips and a matching bank statement. For self-employment, you need two years of accounts and tax returns.

Using savings to meet the requirement

If your income falls below the threshold, you can use cash savings to make up the shortfall. The formula is: savings minus £16,000, divided by 2.5. The result is added to your annual income figure. For example, if you earn £25,000 and have £26,000 in savings, the calculation is (£26,000 − £16,000) ÷ 2.5 = £4,000, giving a combined total of £29,000. The savings must have been held for at least six months.

Combining income sources

You can combine income from different sources. If you have a salary of £24,000 plus rental income of £5,000, the total of £29,000 meets the requirement. The applicant’s (non-UK partner’s) income can also count if they have existing permission to work in the UK. Each source must be evidenced separately according to Home Office guidelines.

What if you do not meet the requirement?

If you genuinely cannot meet the financial requirement through any combination of income and savings, there is an exceptional circumstances argument under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to family life). However, this is a high bar and should not be relied upon as a primary strategy. Guide Bridge assesses whether an Article 8 argument has a realistic chance before advising you to pursue it.

Practical advice

Start preparing your financial evidence at least three months before you plan to apply. Make sure payslips, bank statements, and tax documents all show consistent figures. If you are self-employed, ensure your tax returns are filed and up to date. Guide Bridge reviews every calculation before submission to make sure the numbers add up to the Home Office’s satisfaction.