When applying for a UK spouse / partner visa, the minimum income threshold stated under Appendix FM is a crucial financial requirement. Currently set at £18,600 per year for a couple without children, this threshold ensures the sponsor can support their spouse financially without recourse to public funds.
In This guide, we’ll review Appendix FM minimum income requirements for applicants applying on or after April 2024. When applying for a UK spouse visa, one of the primary considerations is the minimum income threshold. This is a financial benchmark set by the UK government to ensure that individuals sponsoring their partner’s visa can support them financially without recourse to public funds.
In this article, our primary focus will be on the minimum income threshold and its implications on applicants with various financial circumstances.
The guidance on the subject can be confusing. There are two main documents that are relevant.
• Appendix FM: Covers rules for various family applications, including spouse and partner visas under “Family life with a partner”.
• Appendix FM-SE: Provides details on the evidence format and income calculation methods.
Please be aware that this blog post is primarily meant for informational purposes and submitting an application based on this blog post isn’t advised as each application is unique and may require a slightly different approach that could mean the difference between getting accepted or rejected.
Category E is focused on applicants who rely on pension income to meet the financial requirements for a UK spouse visa. This category includes income from any state, occupational, or private pensions.
To qualify, the pension must have been a consistent source of income for at least 28 days before submitting the visa application. Applicants must provide official documentation that confirms their pension entitlement, along with personal bank statements showing the pension being deposited into their account. This category offers an alternative pathway for those who may not have employment income but receive regular pension payments.
This category allows applicants to demonstrate their financial stability based on their business’s most recent full financial year and gross taxable profit.
Typical documents include the self-assessment tax return, and bank statements reflecting the business transactions for the full tax year.
Salaried directors of their own company or a company belonging to a family member count as employees of a ‘specified company’ and can apply based on their salary under Category G. If they are not salaried or want to rely on the dividend income from their firm, or a combination of both then they have to apply under category G.
A specified limited company refers to a specific type of family business. In this kind of company, the applicant or their partner, and potentially other immediate family members, hold significant shares. These companies are characterised by close family involvement in their operations and ownership, making their financial assessments for visa purposes more intricate due to the intertwined nature of personal and business finances. The term ensures that the income assessment takes into account the unique nature of family-run businesses.
The required documentation includes comprehensive financial statements and tax returns, offering a transparent view of the individual’s financial contributions through salary and dividends.
The burden of proof for both Category G & F is significantly more than any other category and we recommend you consult with our experienced immigration lawyers who have years of experience dealing with these cases.
Documents will include but not limited to:
There are provisions for sponsors who are recipients of certain government benefits. Therefore, sponsors who receive one or more of the below-listed benefits can also meet the financial requirements to support their partner’s visa:
This provision guarantees that individuals receiving these benefits are not put at a disadvantage during the visa procedure, acknowledging the support they offer and their ability to sponsor their partner.
| Document Type | What It Must Include |
| Official Documentation from: – Department for Work and Pensions – Veterans Agency – Police Pension Authority | Confirming the benefit entitlement and amount currently received. |
| Personal bank statements of the applicant and/or sponsor | At least one from the 12-month period prior to the date of application, showing the benfit payment into the person’s account. |
Applicants can combine different categories of income to reach the minimum threshold. However, not all categories can be mixed, and specific rules apply for combining them. It is also important to consider the evidential time frame. For example if an applicant is employed in a family business, they’d not be including payslips for the last 6 months but for the period during which the company tax return was due. This period may be from over 12 months ago, so it is important to consider timing.
If you’re looking to combine your income from various categories contact our lawyers at Rove Legal to discuss your case.
Exceptional circumstances procedures are part of the Home Office application review process for those facing uniquely challenging situations.
Should the rejection of an application potentially result in disproportionately harsh outcomes for the applicant, their partner, or a relevant child, the Home Office might take into account alternative income sources that are both credible and dependable. This allows applicants to present alternative financial support or funds, ensuring fair consideration of circumstances that fall outside the usual income categories (for example support from Family and Friends).
Each category has specific requirements for evidence and calculation. Applicants must thoroughly understand these to present a valid case.
