UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement
The financial requirement is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — parts of a Partner Visa application. It isn't just "do you earn £29,000?" It's whether your income qualifies under the correct Appendix FM category, and whether it's evidenced the way the Home Office expects.
On this page
In brief
- The financial requirement is more than “do you earn enough?”
- It is whether your income qualifies under the correct Appendix FM category and is evidenced as required.
- There are several financial categories (employment, non-employment income, cash savings and more).
- The guide explains which threshold and category apply, and how to evidence them.
Not sure your income or savings qualify? Get a fixed-fee review of which financial category fits and how to evidence it.
Get a fixed-fee quoteWhich Threshold Applies to You?
For an applicant making their first relevant application under the Partner route on or after 11 April 2024, or applying to remain with a new partner, the minimum income requirement is generally £29,000 gross per year. But £29,000 does not apply to every case — check which regime applies before doing any calculation.
Current Requirement
Generally £29,000 gross per year for applications made on or after 11 April 2024.
Transitional Arrangements
Can apply where you entered the 5-year Partner route before 11 April 2024 and continue with the same partner — generally £18,600 plus child components, capped at £29,000.
Adequate Maintenance
Applies instead of the income threshold where the sponsor receives certain specified benefits — see below.
The 7 Financial Categories
The Home Office financial guidance divides permitted financial sources into categories. Identifying the correct one matters — each has its own calculation and evidence requirements.
| Category | Financial Source |
|---|---|
| A | Salaried or non-salaried employment, generally with the current employer for at least 6 months |
| B | Salaried or non-salaried employment where the Category A conditions are not met |
| C | Non-employment income |
| D | Cash savings |
| E | Pension income |
| F | Self-employment or specified-company income, using the last full financial year |
| G | Self-employment or specified-company income, using the average of the last 2 full financial years |
The question is not simply "do you earn £29,000?" — it's whether the income relied upon can be counted under the correct category and evidenced in the prescribed way.
Check the headline figures. The Financial Requirement Calculator shows whether your income meets the threshold, or how much cash savings would cover a shortfall. Guide only — the category and evidence rules below are what determine whether income actually counts.
Open the Financial Requirement CalculatorCategory A — Employment for 6+ Months
Category A commonly applies where the person whose income is relied upon has been with their current employer for at least 6 months at the date of application — covering both salaried and non-salaried employment.
Salaried and non-salaried are calculated differently
A common mistake is assuming every employee's income is calculated the same way. This distinction matters particularly where the employee works variable hours, receives different amounts each month, works overtime, receives bonuses or commission, or has recently had a change in earnings.
Typical Category A evidence
- Payslips covering the relevant period
- Corresponding personal bank statements
- An employer's letter
- Any additional specified evidence required by Appendix FM-SE
The documents should correspond with each other — salary shown on payslips should normally be identifiable in the matching bank statements.
Category B — Recently Changed or Variable Employment
Category B may apply where you've been with your current employer less than 6 months, recently changed employer, or otherwise can't satisfy Category A. Changing employer does not automatically mean waiting 6 months to apply — but the assessment has two parts.
Part 1
Qualifying employment income at the date of application.
Part 2
Qualifying employment income actually received during the preceding 12-month period.
Simply providing 12 months of payslips does not necessarily demonstrate Category B is satisfied — both parts of the calculation must be considered.
Category C — Non-Employment Income
Qualifying non-employment income can include property rental income, certain dividends, qualifying investment income, maintenance payments, certain academic grants or stipends, royalties, and other permitted non-employment income.
Dividends need particular care. Dividend income from ordinary investments may fall within Category C — but dividends from a "specified limited company" may instead need to be assessed under Category F or G, which changes the period, calculation and documents required.
Category D — Cash Savings
Qualifying cash savings above £16,000, held for at least 6 months and under your control, can be used towards the requirement — either alone or combined with most income categories (but not Category F or G).
Savings-only example: no qualifying income → £88,500 in qualifying savings. Different rules apply at the ILR stage.
Related services
Financial Evidence & 28-Day Rule
How to evidence funds and the specified-evidence rules.
Learn more →Disclaimer. The information on this page provides general information about UK immigration law and does not constitute legal advice on any individual immigration application. Immigration requirements depend on your individual circumstances and may change. You should seek professional advice before making an application or relying on the information provided.
Source basis: the UK Immigration Rules Appendix FM (family life) and the related Home Office family-life caseworker guidance published on GOV.UK. Immigration Rules and guidance change; confirm the current version on GOV.UK before applying.
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