UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements 2025: New Minimum Income Threshold

Introduction

The UK’s immigration landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with one of the most impactful being the increase in financial requirements for family visas. As of March 2025, the minimum income threshold for sponsoring a spouse or partner to join you in the UK stands at £29,000 per year – a substantial increase from the previous £18,600 requirement that had remained unchanged for over a decade.

These changes, first announced in December 2023 and implemented in April 2024, have created new challenges for many families hoping to settle in the UK. Understanding these updated financial requirements is crucial for anyone planning to apply for a spouse visa or extend their existing permission to stay.

This comprehensive guide explores the current UK spouse visa financial requirements, who needs to meet them, available exemptions, and how to navigate the application process successfully in 2025.

Current Financial Requirements for UK Spouse Visas

The New Minimum Income Threshold

Since April 11, 2024, the minimum income requirement for first-time partner visa applications has been set at £29,000 per year. This represents a significant increase from the previous threshold of £18,600, which had been in place since July 2012.

The UK government initially announced plans to raise this threshold in three stages: – First increase: £18,600 to £29,000 (implemented April 11, 2024) – Second increase: £29,000 to £34,500 (originally planned for late 2024) – Final increase: £34,500 to £38,700 (originally planned for early 2025)

However, in July 2024, the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) would review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. As a result, the minimum income requirement will remain at £29,000 until the MAC completes its review, which is expected in June 2025.

Who Needs to Meet the Financial Requirement?

The financial requirement applies to: – British citizens sponsoring a non-British spouse/partner – Settled persons (those with Indefinite Leave to Remain) sponsoring a spouse/partner – Those with refugee status or humanitarian protection sponsoring a spouse/partner

For first-time applications submitted on or after April 11, 2024, the £29,000 threshold applies regardless of whether dependent children are also applying.

Exemptions from the Standard Financial Requirement

Not everyone needs to meet the standard minimum income threshold. If the UK sponsor receives certain benefits, they are exempt from the minimum income requirement and instead need to satisfy the “adequate maintenance test.” These benefits include:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Carer’s Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension
• Police Injury Pension
• Child Disability Payment
• Adult Disability Payment

According to GOV.UK, those exempt from the minimum income requirement need to demonstrate that they have “enough money to house and support yourselves without relying on additional public funds.”

How the Financial Requirement Works for Different Applications

First-Time Partner Visa Applications

For those applying for their first partner visa on or after April 11, 2024, the £29,000 minimum income threshold applies. This figure is fixed regardless of how many dependent children are included in the application.

Extensions and Settlement Applications

For those who already hold a partner visa that was granted before April 11, 2024, different rules apply when extending their stay or applying for settlement:

• The minimum income threshold remains at £18,600 (the threshold that applied when they first applied)

• If dependent children are included, this increases by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child

• The maximum threshold with children is capped at £29,000

This “transitional arrangement” ensures that those already on the partner visa route aren’t suddenly subject to higher financial requirements that they may not be able to meet.

Sources of Income That Can Be Used

According to Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, the following sources of income can be used to meet the financial requirement:

Employment Income

For applications made from outside the UK, only the UK sponsor’s employment income can be counted. For applications made within the UK, both the applicant’s and sponsor’s income can be included if the applicant is legally working in the UK.

Employment income can come from: – Salaried employment – Non-salaried employment (e.g., zero-hour contracts) – Self-employment (as a sole trader, partnership, or franchise) – Director’s salary from a limited company

Other Income Sources

Besides employment income, the following can also be used: – Cash savings above £16,000 – Pension income – Property rental income – Dividends or other income from investments – Stocks and shares – Trust funds or other investment income

Using Cash Savings to Meet the Requirement

If you don’t meet the income threshold through employment or other income sources, cash savings can be used either to supplement your income or to meet the requirement entirely.

For those relying solely on savings to meet the current £29,000 threshold, a substantial amount is needed. According to Kingsley Napley, applicants now need £88,500 in savings, up from the previous requirement of £62,500 when the threshold was £18,600.

The calculation for using savings is: 1. Deduct £16,000 from your total savings (this is considered the minimum needed for living expenses) 2. Divide the remaining amount by 2.5 (representing the 2.5-year/30-month visa period) 3. This gives you the amount that can be counted toward the annual income requirement

Combining Different Income Sources

Many applicants find it helpful to combine different income sources to meet the financial requirement. For example, you might use: – The sponsor’s employment income – The applicant’s UK employment income (for in-country applications) – Pension income – A portion of your savings

However, there are specific rules about which categories of income can be combined. For instance, certain employment income categories cannot be combined with others, and the relevant time periods for calculating income may vary depending on the combination of sources used.

Documentation Required for Financial Evidence

The documentation needed to prove you meet the financial requirement depends on the income sources you’re using. According to Spouse Visa Lawyers, common documents include:

For Employment Income

• Payslips for the last 6 months (for salaried employment)

• Bank statements showing salary deposits

• Employment contract

• Letter from employer confirming employment details and salary

For Self-Employment

• Tax returns

• Business accounts

• Evidence of ongoing business activities

• Accountant’s certificate

For Cash Savings

• Bank statements covering at least 6 months

• Evidence of the source of funds if large deposits are shown

• Letter from the bank confirming the account details

For Property Rental Income

• Tenancy agreement

• Land registry documents proving ownership

• Bank statements showing rental income

• Evidence of mortgage payments (if applicable)

All documents must be originals or properly certified copies, and any documents not in English must be professionally translated.

Impact of the Financial Requirement Increase

The increase in the minimum income threshold has had significant implications for many families. According to RMC, the new threshold of £29,000 exceeds the earnings of approximately 50% of UK employees, while the planned future increase to £38,700 would exceed the earnings of about 70% of UK employees.

This has raised concerns about the potential separation of families who cannot meet these higher thresholds. While there are provisions for “exceptional circumstances” where refusal would result in “unjustifiably harsh consequences,” the threshold for meeting this test is quite high.

The monthly monitoring data from the Home Office shows that despite these concerns, applications for family visas from overseas actually increased by 31% in the year to September 2024. However, this may reflect applicants rushing to apply before further increases are implemented.

Changes to Other Visa Categories

The financial requirement increases are part of broader changes to the UK immigration system. According to Travelobiz, other visa categories have also seen increased financial thresholds:

Skilled Worker Visas

The minimum salary requirement for Skilled Worker visas increased from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024, though certain sectors like healthcare and education have exemptions.

Student Visas

International students now need to demonstrate higher financial resources, and most students (except those on postgraduate research courses) can no longer bring dependents to the UK.

Health and Care Worker Visas

While the salary thresholds for healthcare professionals remain lower, care workers can no longer bring family members to the UK as of March 2024. According to NHS Employers, this has led to a significant decrease in applications, with 81% fewer applications for Health and Care visas between April 2024 and January 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System

In addition to the financial requirement changes, the UK has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for visa-exempt travelers. According to Kingsley Napley:

• Nationals of non-EU/EEA countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) need an ETA from January 8, 2025

• Nationals of EU and EEA countries plus Switzerland (except Ireland) need an ETA from April 2, 2025

This adds another layer to the UK’s immigration control system and may affect those visiting family members in the UK.

Preparing for a Successful Application

Given the increased financial requirements and complex rules, careful preparation is essential for a successful spouse visa application. Here are some key steps to take:

1. Understand Which Financial Requirement Applies to You

Determine whether you need to meet the £29,000 threshold or if you qualify for an exemption or transitional arrangement.

2. Calculate Your Income Correctly

Identify all eligible income sources and ensure you’re calculating them according to the correct rules. Different income categories have different calculation methods.

3. Gather Comprehensive Documentation

Collect all required financial evidence, ensuring it covers the relevant time periods and meets the Home Office’s specifications.

4. Consider Professional Advice

Given the complexity of the rules and the high stakes involved, many applicants find it beneficial to seek advice from immigration specialists who can guide them through the process.

5. Plan Ahead for Future Applications

If you’re making your first application now, be aware of how the rules might change by the time you need to extend your visa or apply for settlement.

Future Outlook for UK Immigration Policies

The future of UK immigration policies, including the financial requirements for family visas, remains somewhat uncertain. The Migration Advisory Committee’s review, expected to conclude in June 2025, will likely influence whether the minimum income threshold increases further.

According to Bindmans LLP, the impact of these changes disproportionately affects certain groups, such as couples where the UK partner is female, as women generally earn less than men on average.

The current Labour government has indicated a desire to review immigration policies based on evidence, which may lead to a more nuanced approach to family visa requirements in the future.

Conclusion

The UK spouse visa financial requirements have undergone significant changes, with the minimum income threshold now set at £29,000 for first-time applications. While further increases were planned, these are currently on hold pending review by the Migration Advisory Committee.

These changes have made the process more challenging for many families, particularly those with lower incomes. However, understanding the various ways to meet the financial requirement – through employment income, savings, pensions, or other sources – can help applicants navigate the system successfully.

For those already on the partner visa route, the transitional arrangements provide some stability by maintaining the lower threshold that applied when they first applied. However, all applicants should stay informed about potential future changes and seek professional advice if needed to ensure they meet all requirements for a successful application.

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