Spouse Visa Financial Requirements Explained (2025 Update)

Applying for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa is one of the most common — and most carefully scrutinised — immigration routes under the UK’s family visa system. A key part of the process is meeting the financial requirement, designed to show you and your partner can live in the UK without relying on public funds.

Since April 2024, the Home Office has introduced major changes to the minimum income threshold, with further adjustments confirmed for 2025. In this updated guide, AHJ Immigration explains the new financial rules, what income counts, and how to prove your eligibility to avoid costly refusals.

What Is the Spouse Visa Financial Requirement?

The financial requirement ensures that the UK-based partner (the sponsor) earns or has enough money to support their non-UK spouse or partner.

As of October 2025, the minimum gross annual income required to sponsor a partner under the 5-year route (Appendix FM) is £29,000.

This threshold applies to:

• Spouse Visas (married couples)
• Civil Partner Visas
• Unmarried Partner Visas (cohabiting for at least 2 years)
• Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visas (before marriage)

Further increases are expected by spring 2025, so applicants planning long-term should prepare for thresholds of around £34,000–£38,000 once fully implemented.

Who Must Meet the Requirement?

The UK-based partner (British citizen or settled person) must demonstrate the required level of income — or savings — unless:

• The UK partner receives a specified disability benefit, or
• The application relies on exceptional circumstances under Article 8 (right to family life).

Applicants overseas cannot rely on their own foreign income unless they are already working in the UK legally at the time of application.

Financial Requirement Pathways

You can meet the requirement through one or a combination of these six main categories:

1. Employment Income (Category A or B)

• Category A: Same employer for 6+ months earning at least £29,000/year.
• Category B: Employed for less than 6 months or with variable income (must meet combined 12-month earnings test).
  Accepted evidence: payslips, P60, bank statements, employer letter.

2. Self-Employment (Category F or G)

• Category F: Last full financial year’s income.
• Category G: Average of last two financial years if one year falls short.
  Evidence: business accounts, SA302 forms, tax returns, accountant’s letter.

3. Non-Employment Income

Includes rental income, dividends, interest, maintenance payments, or pensions. Must be evidenced through official statements and ownership proof.

4. Cash Savings (Category D)

You can use savings of £88,500 or more (based on the formula £16,000 + 2.5× the shortfall).
Savings must be:

• Held for at least 6 months, and
• In your name or your partner’s, and
• From a legal, verifiable source.

5. Combination of Income and Savings

If income is below £29,000, you can combine with cash savings to reach the threshold using the same formula.

6. Specified Benefits (Exempt Category)

If the sponsor receives any of the following, they’re exempt from the financial threshold but must show adequate maintenance:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit

Financial Requirement for Children (Removed 2024)

Before April 2024, additional income was needed for dependent children (£3,800 for the first child + £2,400 for each extra).
Under new rules, children no longer increase the threshold — the same income applies regardless of family size.

How to Prove Your Income

Your evidence must cover the most recent 6–12 months depending on your employment type.

Common documents include:

• 6 months of payslips and bank statements (showing matching deposits)
• Employer letter confirming job title, start date, and salary
• Tax documents (P60 or SA302) for self-employed sponsors
• Savings account statements for 6 consecutive months
• Rental agreements or dividend vouchers for non-employment income

All documents not in English must be professionally translated.

Common Mistakes Leading to Refusal

1. Payslips or bank statements missing pages
2. Incorrect date ranges (not matching the qualifying period)
3. Employer letters missing required information
4. Savings held for less than 6 months
5. Combining income and savings incorrectly
6. Using ineligible foreign income

At AHJ Immigration, we check every document to ensure it aligns precisely with Home Office Appendix FM-SE requirements.

Alternative Routes If You Don’t Meet the Requirement

If you cannot meet the financial requirement, you may still apply under the 10-year partner route, based on human rights (Article 8). You’ll need to show insurmountable obstacles to family life outside the UK.

You may also request a fee waiver if you face financial hardship when extending under a human-rights route. (See our guide: Fee Waiver Applications – How to Apply If You Can’t Afford Home Office Fees.)

Processing Times and Fees

• Standard processing time: 12 weeks (outside UK)
• Priority processing: 5 working days (additional £500)
• Super Priority: next working day (£1,000 extra)
• Application fee (2025): £1,846 per applicant
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year

How AHJ Immigration Can Help

At AHJ Immigration, we’ve successfully helped couples across the UK meet complex financial requirements. We offer:

• Eligibility checks to ensure your case meets the new 2025 rules
• Evidence review against Appendix FM-SE standards
• Calculation of combined income and savings
• Preparation of cover letters and employer statements
• Representation for refusals or appeals

Our Birmingham-based solicitors support clients nationwide — including Derby, Leicester, and Manchester — with clear advice and proven results.

Why Choose AHJ Immigration

• OISC-regulated immigration advisers
• High success rate for Spouse Visa applications
• Free 30-minute consultation to assess your finances
• Transparent pricing and full document support
• Friendly, professional service backed by experience

How We Help – Your Consultation Options

Free 30-Minute Consultation – We’ll calculate your eligibility and review your financial documents.
1-Hour Paid Consultation – In-depth financial analysis and written advice. (Deducted from the total cost if you proceed with us.)

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 or Book Your Consultation online today.

Disclaimer

Immigration rules and financial thresholds are subject to change. Information is accurate as of October 2025 and verified against the latest Home Office Appendix FM updates.

FAQs

1. What is the new Spouse Visa income requirement for 2025?
You must show a minimum annual income of £29,000 (as of October 2025). Further increases to around £34,000–£38,000 are expected in 2025–2026.

2. Can I use savings instead of income?
Yes. Savings over £88,500 can meet the full requirement or top up a salary shortfall if held for at least 6 months.

3. Does my partner’s income count?
Not if they’re outside the UK. Their income can count only if they’re already working lawfully in the UK at the time of application.

4. What if I don’t meet the financial requirement?
You may apply under the 10-year partner route based on human rights or request a fee waiver if facing financial hardship.

5. Do I need to include children’s costs?
No. The child add-on requirement was removed in 2024 — the income threshold remains the same regardless of the number of children.