Updated on 23 March 2026
If your savings are held in a bank account outside the UK, you may be wondering whether they count towards the financial requirement for a UK spouse or partner visa. They do, but the rules around how overseas savings are assessed, evidenced, and converted are more specific than many applicants realise, and errors in this area are one of the most common causes of avoidable refusals.
This guide is specifically for sponsors and applicants whose cash savings are held in a foreign bank account, whether in India, the Philippines, Nigeria, the United States, or anywhere else in the world. It covers what the Immigration Rules require, how currency conversion works, what evidence you need, and the pitfalls that catch out even well-prepared applicants.
For advice or assistance with your UK Partner Visa application, call the Whytecroft Ford team or use our contact form.
Can Foreign Cash Savings Be Used to Meet the Financial Requirement?
Yes. The Immigration Rules under Appendix FM-SE explicitly permit cash savings held outside the UK to be used towards the financial requirement for a UK spouse or partner visa application.
There is no restriction requiring savings to be held in a UK bank account. What matters is that the funds meet all of the following conditions:
- Held in the name of the applicant, the sponsor, or both jointly
- Under the direct control of the applicant or sponsor
- Held for at least six continuous months immediately before the date of application
- Legally obtained and traceable to a verifiable source
Provided those conditions are met, overseas savings are treated the same as UK savings for the purposes of the financial requirement.
How Much Do You Need?
The amount required depends on whether you are relying entirely on savings or combining them with income.
If relying on savings alone
If you are not using income to meet the financial requirement and intend to rely entirely on cash savings, you must demonstrate a minimum of £88,500 in qualifying savings. This figure is based on the £29,000 per annum income threshold that applies to applications made from 11 April 2024 onwards.
The calculation works as follows:
- Annual income threshold: £29,000
- Multiplied by 2.5 years (the duration of leave): £72,500
- Plus the standard baseline of £16,000: £88,500 total
It is the savings above £16,000 that count towards meeting the income shortfall, so the total holding must reach £88,500 to cover the full requirement.
Transitional arrangements
If you were previously granted permission as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, the earlier £18,600 per annum income threshold may still apply to your application. In that case, the equivalent savings figure is £62,500 (calculated as £46,500 + £16,000).
Whether the old or new threshold applies to your specific application is one of the most important things to establish before submitting. Applying under the wrong threshold can result in refusal.
Combining savings with income
It is also possible to use overseas savings alongside income to meet the financial requirement, if the sponsor’s earnings fall short of the required annual figure, qualifying cash savings above £16,000 can be used to bridge the gap. A specific formula governs how this combination is calculated. For a detailed breakdown of how combining works, see our guide to combining income for a UK partner visa.
The Six-Month Holding Requirement
Savings must have been held continuously in a bank or savings account for at least six months immediately before the date of application. This means:
- The same funds must be present in the account throughout the six months leading up to the application date
- Recent deposits, transfers from elsewhere, or proceeds from a property sale that have not yet been in the account for six months do not qualify
- Moving money between accounts, even between two accounts in your own name, can break continuity of holding unless you can clearly demonstrate the funds are the same throughout.
This requirement applies equally to overseas savings as it does to UK savings. There is no flexibility or relaxation for funds held in foreign accounts.
How Are Foreign Savings Converted to GBP?
The Immigration Rules specify exactly how foreign currency savings must be converted to pounds sterling. You must use the closing spot exchange rate published on OANDA.com on the date of application. The Home Office requires this specific source. Using Google’s currency tool, your bank’s conversion rate, or any other source is not compliant and could undermine your evidence.
If your savings are only marginally above the required threshold in foreign currency, a modest adverse movement in the exchange rate could push your GBP equivalent below the required amount on the day you apply. Where possible, hold a sensible buffer above the minimum.
What Counts as Foreign Cash Savings?
The rules require that funds be held as cash in a bank or savings account. The following generally qualify:
- Current accounts in a foreign bank
- Savings accounts and deposit accounts held overseas
- Fixed-term deposit accounts, provided the funds are under the account holder’s control and accessible
- Proceeds from the sale of property abroad, once deposited into a qualifying bank account and held there for at least six months
The following do not qualify:
- Property or land owned overseas (the value of the property itself is not savings)
- Stocks, shares, ISAs, bonds, or investment funds
- Cryptocurrency holdings
- Cash held outside a formal bank or financial institution.
What Evidence Do You Need for Foreign Cash Savings?
Evidencing overseas savings is generally more involved than evidencing UK savings, and the Home Office expects the same level of detail regardless of where the account is held.
The standard requirements are:
- Official bank statements covering the full six-month period immediately before the date of application
- Statements must show the account holder’s full name, the account number, the bank’s name and address, and the balance or transaction history throughout the period
- If statements are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified translation prepared by a qualified professional translator, machine-generated translations are not acceptable
- A printout of the OANDA closing spot exchange rate on the date of application, with the conversion calculation clearly shown
Some overseas banks issue certificates or letters in place of traditional statements. If this applies to your bank, ensure the document contains all of the above information. In some cases it may be necessary to obtain an additional letter from the bank confirming account ownership and balance history.
Gaps in financial evidence, such as missing months, incomplete statements, or untranslated documents, are among the most common reasons for spouse visa refusals. If you are not certain whether your overseas documentation meets the standard, it is worth seeking professional advice before submitting.
Get Advice on Your Specific Situation
The rules around foreign cash savings are detailed, and the consequences of evidencing them incorrectly can be serious. The guidance above covers the general framework, the right approach in your case will depend on where your savings are held, which currency they are in, how they were accumulated, and whether you are combining them with other sources of income.
We have supported clients whose partner visa applications relied entirely on overseas savings. If you would like a professional assessment of whether your overseas savings meet the requirements, book a consultation with Whytecroft Ford or call us on + 44 (0) 208 757 5751.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Savings held in an overseas bank account can be used to meet the financial requirement, provided they have been held for at least six months, are in the applicant’s or sponsor’s name, and can be evidenced with official bank documentation.
No. There is no requirement to transfer the funds to the UK. They can remain in the foreign bank account throughout.
You must use the closing spot exchange rate from OANDA.com on the date of application.
They must be accompanied by a certified translation prepared by a qualified translator. Machine translations are not accepted.
Yes. Savings held by either the applicant, the sponsor, or both jointly can all be counted towards the financial requirement.
If your foreign savings fall short of the required GBP amount after conversion, it may be possible to combine them with the sponsor’s income to bridge the gap. A specific formula applies, seek advice on whether this route works for your situation.
