The UK Spouse Visa permits a non-UK national partner to join or remain with their British or settled partner in the United Kingdom. A key aspect of this application process is meeting the financial requirement under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, designed to ensure that applicants will not need recourse to public funds. The financial requirement is strictly enforced, and a significant number of refusals stem not only from insufficient income per se, but from a failure to properly evidence eligibility. This post outlines some common financial mistakes when applying for a UK Spouse Visa.
Mistake 1: Incorrect Financial Requirement
As of 11 April 2024, the new financial threshold for a spouse visa under the five-year route was raised from £18,600 to £29,000 gross annual income. This new baseline applies to applicants seeking entry clearance, further leave to remain, or indefinite leave to remain as a partner under the five-year route.
An exception exists for applicants who were already granted leave under the five-year partner route before 11 April 2024. Such applicants may continue to rely on the transitional threshold of £18,600 (plus the relevant child increments) provided they are applying to remain with the same partner. However, any change in circumstances, such as switching from the ten-year route, entering with a different partner, or switching visa categories, will require meeting the higher £29,000 threshold.
Applicants must carefully assess which financial benchmark applies based on their current immigration history and relationship status.
Mistake 2: Incomplete Financial Documentation
A frequent ground for refusal is not a failure to earn sufficient income but rather the failure to provide evidence that complies with Appendix FM-SE, which governs the specific documents required for each income category. The Home Office UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) caseworkers will only assess the evidence provided at the time of application.
Applicants relying on salaried employment with the same employer for more than six months must submit six months of consecutive payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, and a letter from the employer confirming the terms of employment, including gross annual salary, length of employment, and the nature of the employment. Any inconsistencies in the documentation may result in a refusal.
Where the applicant is using employment income with their current employer for less than six months, the rules permit a combination of annual income earned over the past 12 months and current employment. In such cases, evidence must show both historical earnings and current income at or above the required threshold. This category is typically used where employment started less than six months before the application or where income fluctuates.
Applicants relying on self-employment income must submit evidence from the most recent full financial year. This includes a self-assessment tax return, a tax calculation (SA302), personal bank statements, business accounts, and, where required, a letter from an accountant or an accountant’s certificate.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Date Range
Each income category has a defined period for which income must be evidenced. For salaried and non-salaried employment under Category A, the relevant period is the six months immediately preceding the date of application. For Category B, income from the past 12 months must be shown, along with confirmation of current employment. Self-employment and income as a director of a specified limited company must relate to the most recent completed financial year. Misunderstanding or misapplying these date ranges is a common error that can undermine an otherwise strong application. To demonstrate cash savings, applicants must prove they have held the savings for a complete 6-month period before applying.
Mistake 4: Failure to Demonstrate Cash Savings
Applicants may meet the financial requirement through cash savings alone or in combination with income. Where cash savings are used exclusively, the required amount is £88,500, which is calculated as £16,000 plus 2.5 times the income shortfall between the applicant’s income and the £29,000 threshold.
The savings must be held in a personal bank account in the name of the applicant, sponsor, or jointly, and must have been maintained at or above the required level for a continuous six-month period before the date of application. The funds must be readily accessible and free from encumbrances.
Substantial deposits, such as proceeds from property sales or gifted funds, are permitted, but must be fully traceable and demonstrably under the legal ownership of the applicant or sponsor. Documentation such as sale deeds, gift declarations, and bank transfer records may be required to establish provenance.
Mistake 5: Incorrect Currency Conversion for Foreign Income or Savings
Where non-UK income or foreign savings are held or earned outside the UK, the Home Office requires the use of the OANDA closing spot exchange rate on the date of application for conversion into GBP.
Applicants frequently rely on approximate figures or outdated conversion rates, which can materially reduce the perceived value of income or assets when assessed by UKVI. If the GBP equivalent, based on the official rate on the date of application, falls short of the threshold, even by a small margin, the application may be refused.
How Whytecroft Ford Can Assist
The financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa is technical and governed by strict evidentiary standards. At Whytecroft Ford, we offer tailored legal assistance to ensure that your application meets the required threshold and adheres fully to Appendix FM and FM-SE. Our support includes:
- Reviewing your income source(s) for eligibility and compliance.
- Confirming whether transitional or current financial thresholds apply to your case.
- Advising on evidence preparation for all income categories, including employment, self-employment, savings, rental, and overseas earnings.
- Preparing legal representations to support and contextualise financial documentation.
- Identifying and addressing weaknesses before submission.
To speak with our immigration specialists about your UK Spouse Visa financial requirement, contact our team at +44 208 757 5751 or submit an enquiry via our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, multiple salaried roles may be combined under Category A, provided all documentation for each is compliant with Appendix FM-SE.
For initial entry clearance, the UK-based sponsor’s income may be relied upon. The applicant’s income may be relied upon if they are legally working in the UK.
Yes, for most categories, including employment and savings, six consecutive months of bank statements must be submitted, clearly matching declared income sources.
Applicants may reapply at any time but must ensure that the grounds of refusal have been addressed. It is often prudent to seek legal advice before resubmitting.
