UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements
Are you unsure about the UK Spouse Visa financial requirements and how to meet them? Our law firm can provide expert guidance to help you navigate the process.
UK Spouse/Marriage Visa Financial Requirements
One of the most important requirements for a UK Spouse Visa is meeting the financial requirements. The purpose of the financial requirement is to ensure that the sponsoring partner can support their spouse without recourse to public funds.
The current financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa is a minimum annual income of £18,600. However, this requirement can vary depending on your individual circumstances. For example, if you have children, the financial requirement increases.
There are different categories to meet the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements. But the main category is the person who is:
- based in the UK
- employed
- been working in the UK for at least 6 months before the application is submitted
- employment income
- self-employment income
- cash savings
- pensions
If you’re using employment income to meet the requirement, you’ll need to have been in the same job for at least six months and provide evidence of your income. If you’re using self-employment income, you’ll need to provide evidence of your earnings for the last financial year, among other requirements.
Cash savings can also be used to meet financial requirements. If you’re using cash savings, you’ll need to show that you have held the savings for at least six months, and the savings must meet a specific threshold. Pensions can also be used to meet the financial requirement, provided that you’re receiving a specified amount per year.
It’s important to note that meeting the financial requirement is just one aspect of the UK Spouse Visa application process. You’ll also need to provide evidence of your relationship, accommodation, and English language proficiency, among other requirements.
What if the person who is based in the UK has been working for the same employer for less than 6 months?
If the person who is based in the UK has been working for the same employer for less than 6 months, they may still be able to use their employment income to meet the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa.
In that case, the employee’s employment with a prior employer within the previous 12 months will be accepted by the home office before submitting the application. And if they can prove that their previous job paid at least £18,600 in gross wages annually.
Their current employment with a different organisation serves as the second test. As long as they can show that they are also making at least £18,600 gross annually with the new employers, it doesn’t matter if it’s been less than six months.
What if I'm self-employed?
If the person who is based in the UK has been working for the same employer for less than 6 months, they may still be able to use their employment income to meet the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa.
In that case, the employee’s employment with a prior employer within the previous 12 months will be accepted by the home office before submitting the application. And if they can prove that their previous job paid at least £18,600 in gross wages annually.
Their current employment with a different organisation serves as the second test. As long as they can show that they are also making at least £18,600 gross annually with the new employers, it doesn’t matter if it’s been less than six months.
The home office will calculate the average from the previous two years. Additionally, if the average is closer to or equal to £18,600 gross annually, the minimum income requirement will have been met.
In that scenario, the minimum income threshold will be met by the sponsor.
However, the sponsor will be required to submit to the UKVI proof of their sponsorship for the past two years.
Your solicitor will assist to prepare everything needed for your Spouse’s Visa application procedure and completely manage and submit your application on your behalf.
How can Amicus Solicitors help you?
Contact our Immigration Law solicitors by calling 0161 434 4448 or request a call back from us.
