Spouse Visa Financial Requirement 2026: Complete Guide

Overview

The financial requirement is one of the most important parts of any UK spouse or partner visa application. It exists to show that the couple can support themselves in the UK without relying on public funds.

This requirement applies at every stage of the partner route: the initial application (whether from inside or outside the UK), the extension after 30 months, and the final settlement application at the five-year mark. Meeting it once is not enough. The sponsor's financial position must meet the threshold each time.

The rules are set out in Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. These documents specify the income thresholds, the types of qualifying income, the savings formula, and the evidence the Home Office will accept.

This guide covers everything you need to understand about the financial requirement, the other eligibility requirements for a spouse visa, the full costs involved, and the route to settlement.

The Current Income Threshold

£29,000 Per Year

Since 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement (MIR) for new spouse and partner visa applications has been £29,000 per year (gross, before tax). This replaced the previous threshold of £18,600, which had been in place since 2012.

There is no longer any additional amount required for dependent children. Under the old rules, applicants needed an extra £3,800 for a first child and £2,400 for each additional child. The April 2024 changes removed these child supplements entirely for applications subject to the new threshold.

The income figure used is gross annual income, not take-home pay. A salary of £29,000 gross is sufficient even though the net amount received after tax and National Insurance will be lower.

Transitional Rules: £18,600

If the initial spouse or partner visa application was submitted before 11 April 2024, the previous £18,600 threshold continues to apply for all subsequent applications on the same route. This includes extensions and the settlement (ILR) application at the end of the five-year route.

The transitional protection applies as long as the applicant has been on a continuous grant of leave on the partner route since before the threshold change. If there is a break in leave, the new £29,000 threshold applies.

This means two people applying for an extension in 2026 could face different thresholds depending on when their initial application was made.

Will the Threshold Change Again?

The previous government had announced plans to raise the threshold further to £34,500 and then to £38,700. Those increases were paused.

The current government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirement. The MAC published its report in June 2025, and as of March 2026 the government is still considering the recommendations. No further changes to the threshold have been announced, and the £29,000 figure remains in effect for all new applications.

Income Categories

The Home Office does not simply look at a bank balance or a single payslip. Income must come from specific qualifying sources, and each source has its own rules about how it is assessed. There are seven main categories:

Category A covers salaried employment where the sponsor has been with the same employer for at least 6 months. This is the most commonly used category and the most straightforward when the sponsor has a stable job.

Category B applies when the sponsor has been employed for less than 6 months with their current employer, or has a variable income. It assesses both the current salary and the total income received over the previous 12 months.

Category C covers non-employment income such as property rental income, dividend income from investments, and interest from savings. This can be useful when employment income alone falls short of the threshold.

Category D covers cash savings. This is the route for applicants who want to rely on savings (in full or in part) to meet the financial requirement. The savings formula and rules are covered in detail in the next section of this guide.

Category E covers pension income, whether from a state pension, occupational pension, or private pension scheme.

Categories F and G cover self-employment income, including income as a sole trader, a partner in a business, or a director of a specified limited company. Category F assesses income over the most recent full financial year, while Category G uses the average across the two most recent financial years. Category G can help where income fluctuated between years.

Which Category Applies?

The correct category depends on the sponsor's employment situation, how long they have been in their current role, and whether income comes from one source or several. It is possible to combine income from different categories to meet the threshold, but not all combinations are permitted under the rules, and the specific rules differ between entry clearance and extension applications.

Choosing the wrong category, or failing to provide the right evidence for the chosen category, is one of the most common reasons for refusals on financial grounds. Each category has specific evidence requirements and qualifying periods that must be met precisely.

Applicant's Income

For initial applications from outside the UK, generally only the UK-based sponsor's income counts. The applicant's overseas earnings cannot be included. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the financial requirement.

For extension applications where the applicant is already in the UK with permission to work, both partners' incomes can be counted. This is a significant difference that can make meeting the threshold considerably easier at the extension stage.

Using Savings

If income alone does not meet the £29,000 threshold, cash savings can be used to make up the shortfall.

Example Calculations

If the sponsor earns £25,000 per year (a shortfall of £4,000), the savings needed would be: (£4,000 x 2.5) + £16,000 = £26,000.

If the sponsor earns £20,000 per year (a shortfall of £9,000), the savings needed would be: (£9,000 x 2.5) + £16,000 = £38,500.

If there is no qualifying income at all (the full £29,000 shortfall), the savings needed would be: (£29,000 x 2.5) + £16,000 = £88,500.

Key Savings Rules

Savings must have been held for at least 6 months before the application date. The Home Office will check that the balance remained at or above the required amount throughout the entire 6-month period. A single dip below the threshold, even for one day, can jeopardise the application.

The account must be with a financial institution regulated by the appropriate authority (such as the FCA in the UK). Savings can be held in accounts belonging to the applicant, the sponsor, or jointly. Savings held by third parties (such as parents) cannot be used unless the funds are transferred into an eligible account at least 6 months before the application.

Cryptocurrency, stocks, and shares do not qualify as cash savings under the rules. Converting assets to cash and holding them in a qualifying account for 6 months before the application is the safest approach.

Adequate Maintenance

Sponsors who receive certain disability-related benefits are exempt from the standard income threshold. Instead, they must demonstrate "adequate maintenance," which means showing that the couple can support themselves without relying on income-related public funds.

Qualifying benefits include Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Constant Attendance Allowance, and War Disablement Pension Mobility Supplement.

The adequate maintenance test is assessed differently from the standard financial requirement and has no fixed monetary threshold.

Other Eligibility Requirements

The financial requirement is only one part of the spouse visa application. The following requirements must also be met.

Relationship

The applicant and sponsor must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship. The Home Office assesses this based on the evidence provided and may refuse applications where the relationship appears to have been entered into primarily for immigration purposes.

Eligible relationships include marriage, civil partnership, and unmarried partnerships (including same-sex relationships) where the couple has lived together for at least 2 years. The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Both partners must be aged 18 or over at the date of application. If either partner has been previously married or in a civil partnership, evidence that the previous relationship has permanently ended (such as a decree absolute or death certificate) must be provided.

English Language

The applicant (the person applying for the visa, not the UK-based sponsor) must meet an English language requirement. The level required depends on the stage of the application:

Initial application: English at A1 level (basic) for speaking and listening. This can be met by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), holding a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Extension: English at A2 level for speaking and listening.

Settlement (ILR): English at B1 level (intermediate) for speaking and listening. Note: the government has confirmed that this will increase to B2 level from 26 March 2027. Applicants who expect to reach the ILR stage after that date should plan accordingly.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries (including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, and others on the Home Office list) are exempt from taking a test. They meet the requirement by submitting their passport.

Most approved SELT tests cost between £150 and £200 per attempt. Results are typically valid for 2 years, so passing at a higher level early on can save the cost of retaking the test for later applications.

Accommodation

The couple must have adequate accommodation in the UK that is owned or occupied exclusively by them, is not overcrowded under housing legislation, and does not contravene public health regulations.

In practice, most applicants meet this by providing evidence of their current or planned living arrangements: a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or a letter from a family member or friend confirming the accommodation arrangement. A formal housing report or property inspection is not generally required, despite some claims to the contrary.

Tuberculosis Test

Applicants applying from outside the UK may need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. This is required for applications from most countries outside Europe, North America, and Australasia. The test must be taken at an approved test centre, and costs typically range from £65 to £150 depending on the location. The list of countries where a TB test is required is published on GOV.UK.

Life in the UK Test

The Life in the UK test is not required for the initial spouse visa application or the first extension. It is required at the settlement (ILR) stage. The test costs £50 and must be booked at an approved test centre. It covers British values, history, and traditions, and the pass mark is 75% (18 out of 24 questions).

Application Fees and Costs

The financial requirement is separate from the visa application fees. The total cost of a spouse visa application includes the Home Office fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and several other potential expenses.

Home Office Application Fees

These fees apply per applicant. If dependent children are included in the application, the same fee applies to each child.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is a mandatory upfront payment that provides access to NHS services during the visa period. It cannot be paid in instalments.

The IHS is calculated in 6-month blocks and rounded up to cover the full visa period. These rates have not changed in the April 2026 fee update.

Other Potential Costs

Total Cost: What to Budget

For an entry clearance application from outside the UK at current fees, the minimum costs (application fee plus IHS for one adult applicant) total approximately £5,043. After 8 April 2026, this rises to approximately £5,169.

For an in-country extension at current fees, the minimum costs are approximately £3,909, rising to approximately £3,995 from 8 April.

These figures do not include optional costs such as legal representation, document translation, or the English language test. The actual total will depend on individual circumstances.

Fees are non-refundable if the application is refused. This makes it particularly important to ensure all requirements are met before applying.

The Route to Settlement

The spouse visa is granted on a five-year route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Stage 1: Initial Grant

Entry clearance (from outside the UK): 33 months (2 years and 9 months).

In-country switching (from another visa): 30 months (2.5 years).

During this period, the applicant has full permission to work in the UK without restrictions. There are no limits on the type of work or hours. The applicant cannot, however, claim most means-tested public funds.

Stage 2: Extension

After the initial grant, the applicant applies for a 30-month extension. The financial requirement must be met again at this stage, along with the relationship requirement and English language at A2 level.

At the extension stage, both partners' incomes can be counted (unlike the initial application from overseas). This often makes meeting the financial threshold easier.

Stage 3: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

After completing 5 continuous years on the partner route, the applicant can apply for settlement. Requirements at this stage include meeting the financial requirement again, English language at B1 level, and passing the Life in the UK test.

Once granted ILR, the applicant is no longer subject to immigration control and can live and work in the UK permanently. After 12 months with ILR, they may be eligible to apply for British citizenship.

The five-year route to ILR for spouses of British citizens remains unchanged in 2026. The government's broader earned settlement consultation proposals (which could extend qualifying periods to 10 years for some routes) do not apply to the family partner route.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Gaps in bank statements. The Home Office expects continuous, sequential bank statements covering the relevant qualifying period. Missing even one month can lead to a refusal.

Using net income instead of gross. The threshold is based on gross annual income (before tax and deductions). A salary of £29,000 gross meets the requirement even though take-home pay will be lower.

Overlooking the qualifying period. Category A requires 6 months with the same employer. If the sponsor changed jobs 5 months ago, Category A does not apply and Category B (12 months of employment) should be considered instead.

Savings dipping below the threshold. If savings are being used, the balance must remain above the required amount for the full 6 months. Any withdrawal that takes the balance below, even temporarily, can result in a refusal.

Relying on the applicant's overseas income for an initial application. For entry clearance applications, the applicant's earnings from outside the UK generally cannot be counted. This is one of the most common misunderstandings.

Assuming the old threshold applies. The £18,600 threshold only applies to those whose initial partner route application was made before 11 April 2024 and who have maintained continuous leave on that route. Everyone else must meet £29,000.

Choosing the wrong income category. Each category has strict rules about qualifying periods and evidence. Applying under the wrong category, or providing evidence that does not match the claimed category, is a frequent cause of refusals. The specific combination rules also differ between entry clearance and extension applications.

Check Your Financial Position

The financial requirement involves different thresholds, multiple income categories, savings calculations, and rules that vary depending on whether this is an initial application or an extension, whether the applicant is in the UK, and what type of income is being relied on. Small differences in individual circumstances can significantly affect which rules apply.

AssessNow's Spouse Visa Financial Requirement assessment analyses your specific income sources against current Home Office guidance and produces a personalised report tailored to your situation. The assessment takes under 5 minutes and covers all income categories, savings calculations, and transitional provisions.

What you receive:

• A clear verdict on whether your financial position is likely to meet the requirement
• A personalised breakdown showing how your income is assessed, including which categories apply to your circumstances
• An evidence checklist tailored to your specific income sources
• Identification of any areas that may need attention before you apply

Based on Appendix FM MIR (current guidance). Updated for 2026 rules.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules are complex and individual circumstances vary. For formal immigration advice, consult a qualified immigration solicitor or adviser regulated by the SRA or IAA.