This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Appendix FM financial requirements for UK spouse and partner visas in 2025. We’ll explain the updated minimum income threshold, accepted income sources, and the documents you need for a successful application.
Since 2024, one of the primary considerations has been the minimum income threshold for partners since the rules concerning the Appendix FM financial requirements changed in April 2024, which saw the minimum income requirement increase from £18,600 per annum to £29,000 per annum.
Applicants applying for extensions or indefinite leave where they had previously been granted leave before April 2024 can continue to rely on the reduced income requirement of £18,600 per year.
Understanding Appendix FM Financial Requirements
Spouse and partner visa applicants must meet two main criteria:
- The minimum income threshold
- Suitable accommodation provisions
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 guides 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.
What Is the Minimum Income Threshold For UK Spouse Visa?
The minimum income threshold is a key financial requirement for those applying for a UK spouse visa. Simply put, it is the minimum amount of yearly income needed to sponsor your spouse’s visa application. This requirement ensures that the sponsor can support their spouse financially without relying on public funds.
The current minimum income threshold for UK spouse visas in 2025 is £29,000 per year. This threshold applies to applicants seeking a partner visa under the Appendix FM rules and is designed to ensure sponsors can financially support their family without relying on public funds.
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Additional Requirements for Families With Children
Under the updated Appendix FM income rules, families with children are no longer required to meet a higher spouse visa income threshold. However, applicants must still provide sufficient financial proof to demonstrate they can support their family.
We advise applicants to prepare and gather substantial evidence of their financial capability to meet these thresholds. Our expert immigration lawyers at Rove Legal are ready to support you with these documents.
Summary
| Couple without children | Minimum income is set at £29,000 per year. |
| Couple with children | The income requirement increases by £3,800 for the first child. |
| Additional Children | For every child after the first, the requirement goes up by an additional £2,400 per child. |
Income Categories Explained: How to Meet Appendix FM Financial Requirements with Different Income Types
It is possible to utilise income from other sources. The Home Office has various categories of what it accepts as sources and income. Each has its own complexities and evidential requirements that need to be taken into consideration.
- Categories A & B: Salaried and non-salaried employment.
- Category C: Non-employment, such as property rental income and investment income.
- Category D: Cash savings.
- Category E: Pension income.
- Categories F & G: Self-employment income or income from directorship/employment of a limited company.
Check our detailed guide on how to apply for a spouse visa if you’re self-employed
Categories A & B: Salaried and Non-Salaried Employment
Category A: This is applicable when either the sponsor or the applicant (provided they are authorised to work in the UK) has maintained employment with the same employer for a minimum period of 6 months. In this case, the gross salary must meet or exceed the minimum threshold during this entire period.
Category A is the primary route many applicants use to meet the UK spouse visa income requirement. Providing the correct financial documents for a UK partner visa—such as payslips, bank statements, and employment contracts—is crucial for success.
Required Evidence for Category A:
- Payslips: Six consecutive months of payslips prior to the application date.
- Bank Statements: Matching six months of bank statements showing the salary deposits.
- Employer Letter: On company letterhead confirming:
- Current employment status
- Job title and role
- Length of employment
- Gross annual salary
- Contract type (permanent or fixed-term, with dates.
Category B
This category is for those applicants who haven’t worked in their current job for at least six months or have an income that varies. The Home Office calculates your income in two ways: they estimate your yearly income based on what you earn now, and they also look at the total income you’ve actually received in the past year. This allows them to determine whether you meet the financial requirements for the visa.
Category B applies to applicants who either:
- Haven’t been with their current employer for at least six months, or
- Have a variable income (e.g., commission-based, zero-hour contracts, seasonal work).
The Home Office assesses income in two ways:
- Current income projection: An annualised estimate based on current earnings.
- Past 12-month total income: Total income received over the previous 12 months.
For Variable Income:
Applicants with irregular earnings must show their average income over the past 12 months meets the £29,000 threshold. This applies to those in roles with fluctuating hours or commission-based pay.
Required Documents:
- Payslips for the past 12 months
- Bank statements showing matching deposits
- Employer letter explaining variable income (if applicable)
For Employment Less Than 6 Months:
If you’ve been employed for fewer than six months, you can combine your current salary with income from previous employment in the last 12 months.
Required Documents:
- Payslips and bank statements from the current job
- Payslips and bank statements from previous employment
- Employment contracts or letters confirming roles and dates”
Example: Sarah, a UK sponsor, has worked for the same employer for over six months with an annual salary of £32,000. She meets the minimum income threshold under Category A without needing additional income sources. However, if Sarah had been in her current role for only three months after switching jobs, she would need to combine her previous employment income from the last 12 months with her current salary under Category B to meet the requirement.
Relevant Resources: How to Switch from a Dependent Visa to a Work Permit
Employment Less Than 6 Months: Combining Previous and Current Income
If you’ve been with your current employer for less than six months, you can combine your current salary with previous employment income from the past 12 months to meet the financial requirement.
Required Documents:
- Payslips and bank statements from your current job.
- Payslips and bank statements from your previous employer(s) covering the remainder of the 12-month period.
- Employment contract(s) or reference letter(s) confirming the nature and duration of past employment.
Example:Emma started a new role three months ago, earning £20,000 annually. Her previous job paid £15,000 over the last nine months. By combining these incomes under Category B, she meets the £29,000 requirement.
Category C: Non-Employment Income
Category C addresses income from non-employment sources such as property rentals, dividends from investments, and maintenance payments.
This category is vital for applicants who may not have a traditional employment income but receive regular earnings from these other sources. To successfully apply under this category, applicants must provide documentation proving that they have received this income consistently over the past 12 months. This evidence is essential to demonstrate to the Home Office that they have a stable and reliable source of income outside of standard employment.
When relying on rental income for example, an applicant or the sponsor will provide:
- Bank statements to confirm receipt of that rent.
- Evidence of ownership of the property
- A Tenancy Agreement
Example: David owns a property that generates £15,000 annually in rental income. He combines this income with his part-time salary of £20,000, allowing him to meet the £29,000 spouse visa income threshold under Category C. David provides his tenancy agreement, proof of ownership, and bank statements showing consistent rent payments as evidence.
Relevant Resources: How to Switch from a Dependent Visa to a Work Permit
Category D: Cash Savings
This category is often seen as an option for those who might not meet income thresholds through regular employment. The cash savings calculation is not straightforward and often leads to confusion.
To meet the UK spouse visa financial requirement through cash savings, applicants must multiply the income threshold (£29,000) by 2.5 and add £16,000. This method ensures applicants without regular income can still satisfy the Appendix FM financial criteria.
| Minimum Income Threshold | Cash Savings Required |
| Partner with no children: £18,600 | £62,500 (£16,000 + 2.5(£18,600)) |
| 1 child in addition to the partner: £22,400 | £72,000 (£16,000 + 2.5(£22,400)) |
| 2 children in addition to the partner: £24,800 | £78,500 (£16,000 + 2.5(£24,800)) |
| 3 children in addition to the partner: £27,200 | £84,000 (£16,000 + 2.5(£27,200)) |
Example: Emma does not have a regular income but has £65,000 in cash savings. This exceeds the required £62,500 needed to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement for sponsoring her spouse. Emma provides bank statements showing the funds have been held for at least six months.
Category E: Pension Income
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.
Category F: Self-Employment
This category allows applicants to demonstrate their financial stability based on their business’s most recent full financial year and gross taxable profit.
- The financial year starts on April 6th and concludes on April 5th of the following year
- Gross taxable profits refer to the income generated by the business before any deductions (for example expenses)
Typical documents include the self-assessment tax return, and bank statements reflecting the business transactions for the full tax year, along with associated invoices to demonstrate the revenue.
Category G: Limited Company Directorship
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. You’d have to provide evidence from the last tax year of the company.
What Is a Specified Limited Company?
A specified limited company refers to a specific type of 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:
- Payslips and dividend vouchers for the last business/corporate tax year
- Personal and business bank statements for the same period
- Company Tax Return
- Company HMRC registration and VAT registration (where appropriate)
- Current Appointment Report
Sponsor Receipt of Benefits (Special Considerations)
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:
- disability living allowance
- severe disablement allowance
- industrial injury disablement benefit
- attendance allowance
- carer’s allowance
- personal independence payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme or
- Police Injury Pension
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. |
Combining Income Sources
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.
Example: Mark earns £25,000 annually in a salaried role but still falls short of the £29,000 threshold. He also has £12,500 in savings. By combining his income from Category A and cash savings from Category D, Mark successfully meets the minimum income requirement.
I don’t seem to qualify under any of the above categories. What should I do?
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).
Evidence and Calculation
Each category has specific requirements for evidence and calculation. Applicants must thoroughly understand these to present a valid case.
