Using Investment Income For UK Spouse Visa Application 

This post follows our previous article about using cash savings to satisfy the minimum income requirement for a UK spouse visa application. We discuss how you can meet the financial requirements using investment income or cash savings from an investment account. 

The financial requirement for a UK family settlement visa is currently set at a minimum annual income of £18,600; this amount will vary based on the number of dependents. Family settlement applications usually include a spouse, fiance, civil partner or child-dependents. To meet the income requirement, the applicant must provide evidence that they have enough income or savings to support themselves and any dependents during their stay in the UK.

Investment Income for a UK Spouse Visa

The Immigration Rules allow for income generated from investments, stocks, and/or shares as a valid type of non-employment income. Unless otherwise specified, the specified non-employment income which the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant have received in the 12 months before the date of application can be counted towards the financial requirement. 

While this income source does not necessarily require ownership by the applicant or their partner for the entire 12 months before the application, it must have served as a source of income for a portion of the 12 months.

If in the 12 month period, the income was earned prior to application and then sold, it can still be counted towards the financial requirements if the investments, shares and/or stocks of an equivalent amount have been purchased since by the same company, and these are held at the date of application. 

Call our expert immigration team at +442087575751 for advice or assistance with your spouse visa application or use our contact form. 

Evidence of Investment Income

The following evidence of investment income must be provided:

• Certificate evidencing ownership and amount of investment(s)
• A portfolio report (for a financial institution regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (and Prudential Regulation Authority where applicable) in the UK) or a dividend voucher showing the company and person’s details with the person’s net dividend amount and tax credit 
• Personal bank statements covering the 12 months before the application, which the income was paid into.

Using Cash Savings from Investments

Under Appendix FM, there is a difference between savings held as cash and savings held as cash investments. The value of stocks and shares may fluctuate in time, therefore, investments may not be considered the equivalent of cash savings.

Whereas the cash savings sold or converted from investments can be treated as cash savings that meet the criteria required in Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. Where the cash savings have previously been held as investments (including funds liquidated from a pension pot), stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds owned by and under the control of the applicant, their partner, or both jointly, this ownership period can be counted towards the 6 months.

The funds held as cash savings by the applicant, their partner, or both jointly at the date of application can have been transferred from investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds, within the period of 6 months prior to the date of application, provided that:

• the funds have been in the ownership and under the control of the applicant, their partner or both jointly for at least 6 months before the date of application
• the ownership of the funds in the form of investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds; the cash value of the funds in that form on or before the beginning of the period of 6 months before the date of application; and the transfer of the funds into cash, are evidenced by a portfolio report or other relevant documentation from a financial institution regulated by the appropriate regulatory body for the country in which that institution is operating
• the requirements of Appendix FM-SE in respect of the cash savings held at the date of application are met, except that the period of 6 months prior to the date of application in paragraph 11(a) will be reduced by the amount of that period in which the relevant funds were held in the form of investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds.

To qualify as a cash savings account, the account in question can be a current, deposit, or investment account provided by a financial institution regulated by the appropriate regulatory body in the country where the institution operates. Additionally, the financial institution cannot be listed as excluded under the Immigration Rules. Regular bank statements must be provided, covering the necessary period as required by the Immigration Rules. The savings must be held in cash, or the cash value of the savings must be clear. Furthermore, the funds must be immediately withdrawable, with or without penalty, and under the control of the account holder or their partner for the required period as stipulated in the Immigration Rules. The source of the funds must be legal and declared. The funds can be considered cash savings if all the aforementioned requirements are met. 

In addition to the minimum income requirement, applicants must satisfy the genuine relationship and adequate accommodation requirements that form part of the UK Spouse Visa Application requirements.

How can we help?

For more information on the financial requirements for the spouse visa category, please get in touch with our specialist immigration advisers at 02085755751 or use our contact form.  

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