Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: Home Office GOV.UK — Family visa financial requirements | Immigration Rules Appendix FM
⚡ TL;DR — Skip to what matters
The UK spouse visa minimum income requirement for new applications is £29,000 per year (gross). This has been in place since 11 April 2024 and remains unchanged in 2026 — planned increases to £34,500 and £38,700 are paused pending MAC review. If your first partner visa was granted before 11 April 2024, you keep the old £18,600 threshold for all future applications with the same partner. No extra income is required for children under current rules.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
- Standard threshold (new applications from 11 April 2024): £29,000 gross per year
- Transitional protection: first application before 11 April 2024 → £18,600 threshold applies at extension and ILR
- No child additions under current rules — £29,000 is flat regardless of number of children
- Savings alternative: £88,500 in savings held for 6+ months covers the full threshold with no employment income
- Out-of-country applications: only UK sponsor's income counts — applicant's overseas income excluded
- In-country applications (FLR M): applicant's UK employment income can also count if lawfully working
- Exemption: sponsor receiving qualifying disability/carer's benefit → adequate maintenance test applies instead
- MAC review: June 2025 recommendations not yet implemented — no further threshold changes confirmed for 2026
- Source: GOV.UK — Family visas: financial requirements | Immigration Rules Appendix FM
Who must meet the financial requirement?
The financial requirement applies whenever a British citizen, Irish citizen or person settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status) sponsors a foreign spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation) or fiancé(e) for a UK family visa. It applies at every stage: the initial entry clearance, the 30-month extension, and the settlement (ILR) application.
The sponsor must meet the threshold — not the applicant. For out-of-country applications, only the sponsor's UK income counts. The applicant's overseas salary, no matter how high, cannot be included unless they are already in the UK lawfully with permission to work.
Which threshold applies to you?
| Situation | Applicable threshold |
|---|---|
| First application on or after 11 April 2024 | £29,000 — at all stages of the partner route |
| First application before 11 April 2024, continuing with same partner | £18,600 basic (+ £3,800 first child + £2,400 each additional child, capped at £29,000) |
| Sponsor receives qualifying disability/carer's benefit | Adequate maintenance test (not MIR) |
Transitional protection is continuous — if there is any break in leave, the new £29,000 threshold applies even if the original application was pre-April 2024. Do not let leave lapse.
Permitted income sources
The Home Office assesses income in specific categories. The most common are:
- Category A — salaried employment (6+ months same employer): Current annualised salary. Most straightforward to evidence with 6 months of payslips and corresponding bank statements.
- Category B — salaried employment (under 6 months current employer): Average of non-employment income over 12 months, combined with current salary. More complex evidential requirements.
- Category C — self-employment: Gross taxable profit from most recent full tax year, evidenced by SA302 and HMRC tax year overview.
- Category D — non-employment income: Dividends from UK companies, pension income, rental income from UK property.
- Category F/G — savings: Cash savings held for at least 6 consecutive months. Formula: (£29,000 × 2.5) + £16,000 = £88,500 required to meet threshold through savings alone if no employment income.
Savings as an alternative
If your income falls short, you can use cash savings to make up the difference. The Home Office formula is:
Required savings = (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000
Example: If your income is £25,000 (shortfall of £4,000), you need (£4,000 × 2.5) + £16,000 = £26,000 in savings. The savings must have been held continuously for at least 6 months before application. Gifts from family count if properly documented with a gift letter, evidence of transfer, and proof of 6-month holding.
Visa application timeline
| Stage | Duration | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Entry clearance (initial application from abroad) | 2 years 9 months | £29,000 (or £18,600 if transitional) |
| Extension (FLR M — further leave to remain) | 30 months | Same threshold as initial |
| Settlement (ILR — indefinite leave to remain) | Permanent | Same threshold; Life in the UK test + B1 English required |
| Citizenship (naturalisation) | After 12 months ILR | Standard naturalisation requirements |
Frequently asked questions
Will the threshold rise above £29,000 in 2026?
The Migration Advisory Committee published its review in June 2025, recommending a reduction to £23,000–£25,000. As of April 2026, the government has not confirmed any change. The £29,000 threshold remains in force. Any change would require primary or secondary legislation and advance notice.
Can my partner's income count at the extension stage?
Yes. For in-country extension applications (FLR M), the applicant's UK employment income can be combined with the sponsor's income to meet the threshold, provided the applicant has permission to work in the UK.
What if I was refused for not meeting the financial requirement?
Standard family visa refusals do not carry a right of tribunal appeal unless human rights (Article 8 ECHR) are engaged. Your options are: Administrative Review (£80, 28-day deadline) if a caseworker error occurred, or a fresh application addressing the financial evidence. Do not reapply with the same documentation — strengthen the evidence to address the specific refusal reasons.
Does the £29,000 include pension contributions or bonuses?
No. The Home Office uses gross employment income — your salary before income tax and National Insurance deductions. Employer pension contributions, discretionary bonuses, and benefits in kind do not count. Only guaranteed base salary and contractually guaranteed allowances are included.
My sponsor is on a disability benefit — do we still need £29,000?
No. If the UK-based sponsor receives a qualifying benefit (including Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, and others listed in Appendix FM), the standard minimum income requirement does not apply. Instead, you must meet the adequate maintenance test — demonstrating the household can be housed and supported without additional public funds. This is generally a lower bar.
Sources & References
- GOV.UK — Family visas: financial requirements if applying as a partner: gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income-partner
- Immigration Rules — Appendix FM: Financial Requirement
- Home Office — Appendix FM caseworker guidance (updated November 2025)
- Migration Advisory Committee — Family visa financial requirement review, June 2025
- House of Commons Library — The financial (minimum income) requirement for partner visas (April 2026)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. UK visa rules change frequently — always verify at GOV.UK before applying. For more guides visit our UK Visa hub.
