The Appendix FM Immigration Rules are part of the United Kingdom’s immigration law and set out the financial requirements that must be met by foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the UK based on their family relationship with a British citizen or a person with indefinite leave to remain. This post summarises the permitted sources that may be used to satisfy the financial requirements of a UK family visa.
The minimum income requirement is one of the requirements that must be met by British citizens or persons present and settled in the UK who are sponsoring a foreign national fiance, spouse, partner, or dependent child to join them in the UK.
One of the most common reasons family visa applications are denied is failing to meet financial requirements, including the minimum income requirement. Applicants must ensure they have all the necessary financial evidence and meet the income threshold.
UK Family Visa Financial Requirements
Under the minimum income requirement, the sponsoring partner must have an income of at least £18,600 per year. This threshold is higher for sponsors with children: the income requirement is £22,400 per year for the first child, plus an additional £2,400 per year for each additional child. Sponsors may also meet the requirement by demonstrating sufficient savings or combining their income with their partner’s. Income must be derived from specified and permitted sources.
There are some exceptions to the minimum income requirement, such as if the sponsor is receiving certain benefits or if the foreign national spouse or partner can meet their own financial needs without relying on the sponsor. The rules also provide flexibility in certain circumstances, such as if the sponsor cannot work due to a disability or if the couple has a child with a disability.
It’s important to note that the minimum income requirement is just one aspect of the immigration rules that must be met to bring a foreign national spouse, partner, or dependent child to the UK. There are also requirements related to the nature of the relationship, English language proficiency, and accommodation, among others.
Minimum Income Requirement Permitted Sources
Under the Appendix FM Immigration Rules, certain types of income may be considered part of the minimum income requirement for sponsoring a foreign national spouse, partner, or dependent child to join you in the UK. Permitted sources of income include the following:
Employment Income
The most common way to meet income requirement is through employment income. This includes income from the applicant or sponsor’s job in the UK or a sponsor’s job abroad. You will need to provide specific evidence of your employment, such as pay slips, to prove that you satisfy the income requirement depending on the type and duration of your employment.
Self-Employment Income
In cases where earnings are derived from self-employment business activities such as sole trader, partnership, or franchise, income earned in the UK or abroad may be used towards satisfying the financial requirement. Company Directors or employees of specified companies who receive salaries and dividends can use their income. You will need to provide specific evidence, such as company accounts and tax returns, depending on the type of business.
Pension Income
If you receive a pension income, either from a private or a state pension, this may be used to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa. You will need to provide evidence of your pensions, such as statements or award letters, to show that you meet the income requirement.
Investment Income
If you have investments, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, these investment incomes may be used to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa. You will need to provide evidence of your investments, such as bank statements or brokerage statements, to show that you meet the income requirement.
Rental Income
If you own property that you rent out to others, the rental income may be used to meet the UK family visa financial requirement. You will need to provide evidence of your rental properties, such as rental agreements or property deeds, to show that you meet the income requirement.
Maintenance Payments
If you receive maintenance payments from a former spouse or partner, this may be considered part of your income to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa. You will need to provide evidence of the maintenance payments, such as a court order or a letter from the recipient, to show that you meet the income requirement.
Joint Income
If you and your spouse or civil partner have a combined income, this may be considered in meeting the financial requirement for a spouse visa. You will need to provide evidence of your combined income, such as pay stubs or bank statements, to show that you meet the income requirement.
Cash Savings
If you have sufficient cash savings, you may be able to use these to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa. You will need to provide evidence of your savings, such as bank statements, to show that you have at least £16,000 for at least six months.
Other Sources of Financial Support
You may also be able to use other sources of financial support, such as a scholarship or a pension, to meet the financial requirement for a family visa. You will need to provide evidence of these sources of financial support, such as award letters or statements, to show that you meet the income requirement.
These are just some examples of income and financial support that may be used to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa. It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of the financial evidence that may be required for a spouse visa application. You may need to provide additional evidence depending on your specific circumstances. It’s always a good idea to seek professional advice for your immigration application.
In addition to providing evidence of your income or financial support, it’s essential to demonstrate that you and your spouse have a genuine and ongoing relationship. This can include evidence of shared finances, living arrangements, and activities that form part of the spouse visa application requirements.
Income Sources Not Permitted
Sources of income that are not permitted to include:
- Income from illegal activities: Income from illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or money laundering, cannot be used to meet the minimum income requirement.
- Income from public funds: Income from public funds, such as welfare benefits or housing assistance, cannot be used to meet the financial requirement.
- Income from borrowing: Income from borrowing, such as loans or credit card debts, cannot be used to meet the minimum income requirement.
How Can We Help
As immigration advisers, we are here to assist you with every step of the UK family visa application process. We can help you understand the requirements and ensure that you have the documentation and evidence to support your application. Some of the ways that we can help with your UK spouse visa application include the following:
Assessing your eligibility: We can help you determine whether you meet the financial and other requirements for a spouse visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and advise you on any steps you can take to improve your chances of success.
Guidance on the documentation required: We can help you understand what documentation is needed to support your spouse visa application and ensure that you have all of the required documents in order.
Preparing and submitting your application: We can help you complete the application forms and prepare all necessary documentation for submission. We can also guide the best way to present your case and increase your chances of success.
By working with an experienced immigration adviser, you can increase your chances of a successful spouse visa application and ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
To discuss your family’s immigration applications, call our professional team on 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
Frequently asked questions
No, the financial requirement for a UK family visa may vary depending on your circumstances. For example, if you or your spouse have children or other dependents, you may be required to meet a higher income threshold.
Yes, you can use your spouse’s income to meet the financial requirement for a UK spouse visa. If you are using your spouse’s income to meet the requirement, you must provide evidence of your spouse’s employment, such as pay slips or an employment contract.
Yes, you can use savings to meet the financial requirement for a UK spouse visa. If you are relying on savings to meet the requirement, you must show that you have at least £62,500 in savings that have been held for at least six months. Alternatively, if you have less than £62,500 in savings, you may still be able to meet the requirement if you show that you have enough money to make up the difference between your savings and the required amount by combining your income.
