The financial requirement for a partner visa (Categories A–G)
How to meet the minimum income requirement using employment, self-employment, savings, pension or benefits income — with worked examples.
Read guidance →Knowledge Base
UK immigration guidance, explained clearly
Plain-English guides, FAQs and a glossary of the terms and rules that shape UK immigration applications — written by IAA-regulated advisers, kept current with the Immigration Rules.
Guides & articles
In-depth explainers on the requirements that most often decide an application.
Our in-depth guides currently focus on the Partner & Spouse Visa route — the financial requirement, accommodation, relationship evidence and more. Guides for other visa routes are being added over time.
Family
Family
Meeting the financial requirement with cash savings (Category D)
The £16,000 buffer, the 2.5× multiplier and the six-month holding rule explained.
Read guidance →Family
Self-employment and company income (Categories F and G)
Using self-employed or director's income to meet the requirement, and choosing between the last full financial year (F) and an average of two (G).
Read guidance →Family
Adequate maintenance and disability benefits
When the income requirement is replaced by the adequate-maintenance test, and the A−B≥C calculation.
Read guidance →Family
Accommodation requirements and overcrowding
Showing adequate accommodation without overcrowding under the Housing Act room standard.
Read guidance →Family
Proving a genuine and subsisting relationship
What evidence shows a genuine relationship, and how to build a balanced evidence bundle.
Read guidance →Settlement
Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL)
How the English-language and Life in the UK requirements work for settlement and citizenship, and when an exemption may apply.
Read guidance →Settlement
The English-language requirement
The ways the English requirement can be met — approved test, an eligible degree or an accepted nationality.
Read guidance →Settlement
The Life in the UK test
What the knowledge-of-life component involves for indefinite leave to remain and naturalisation.
Read guidance →Citizenship
Routes to British Citizenship
How British citizenship is acquired — automatic acquisition, registration and naturalisation — and how to tell which framework applies.
Read guidance →Citizenship
What "Settled in the UK" Means for Nationality
What "settled" status means for nationality, why a parent being settled at birth matters, and how it differs from citizenship.
Read guidance →Citizenship
Who Counts as a "Parent" for British Nationality
The date-sensitive definition of a parent in British nationality law — unmarried fathers, second female parents and legitimation.
Read guidance →Citizenship
Proving Paternity for British Nationality
The evidence used to establish paternity for nationality — birth certificates, DNA (never mandated) and court orders — and the safeguards.
Read guidance →Citizenship
Legitimation and the Father's Domicile
How a later marriage between the parents may already make someone British — legitimation and why the father's domicile is the connecting factor.
Read guidance →Citizenship
Referees and Biometrics for British Citizenship Applications
The two-referee requirement and biometric enrolment for a British citizenship application, including the rules for child applicants.
Read guidance →Need advice on your specific situation?
Guidance is a starting point. Arrange a consultation with an IAA-regulated adviser for a clear view of your own application.