One of the eligibility criteria for applying for a UK spouse visa is satisfying the Appendix FM financial requirement. The requirement for this is to ensure that sponsors in this case can only financially support their partner without involving public funds. Whatever route you are taking under Appendix FM or Appendix FM-SE, it is vital that you know the categories and evidence of suitability in meeting this financial threshold.
In this blog post we break down the family member financial requirement as Appendix FM, tell you what you need to do to meet this test on different types of income and to explain what other documents you need in order to secure a successful spouse visa application. We will also discuss important guidance from Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE about how applicants can demonstrate they can meet the financial requirements whatever their individual circumstances.
What is the Appendix FM Financial Requirement?
The minimum amount of money that a sponsor (also known as a sponsor financial requirement) will need to ensure they can financially support someone’s spouse or partner who is applying for a UK visa is called the Appendix FM financial requirement. This requirement is required to avoid the public funds being used to support the sponsor’s family. The purpose of the Appendix FM financial requirement is to make sure that a sponsor will be able to support his partner and any dependents without receiving public assistance.
The minimum income threshold for a UK spouse visa for 2025 is £29,000 a year. It allows sponsors to have enough financial capacity to maintain their spouse. Yet, the threshold for income may fluctuate depending on the number of children involved. The key point of note here is that these rules are written in Appendix FM, and are further explained in Appendix FM-SE as to how the income should be documented and calculated.
What is the Minimum Income Threshold for a UK Spouse Visa?
A crucial element of UK spouse visa applications under Appendix FM is a minimum income threshold. The requirements to be fulfilled by sponsors are that they should prove that they can financially support their spouse above this minimum amount. There are £29,000 per year by 2025 for applicants without children.
Income Requirement Adjustments For Families with Children:
Yet, the minimum income threshold for couples without children is £29,000 and the conditions are more relaxed for applicants with children.
- The income requirement for one child rises by £3,800.
- The count of children over the threshold increases by £2,400 for each further child.
To meet these thresholds, it is essential to prepare detailed financial evidence, and obtaining assistance from experienced professionals like legal experts at Rees Clayton Solicitors could significantly ease the journey.
Types of Income Accepted Under Appendix FM Financial Requirement
There are several income sources that applicants can use to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement. The home office accepts an applicant’s financial capability in several categories when calculating. The main categories of income that could be used to meet the requirements under Appendix FM are shown below.
Category A & B: Salaried and Non-Salaried Employment
Category A relates to sponsors or applicants who have been employed by the same employer for at least 6 months. This period must receive a salary that satisfies the minimum income.
Category B is for those who have variable income or have been with their employer for less than 6 months. Here, the income will be computed by taking into account the latest as well as previous earnings (if any).
Category C: Non-Employment Income
Category C is for applicants with non-employment income, such as rental income, dividends from investments, or maintenance payments. When applying, you must prove that this income has been experienced for the past 12 months. For example, if you are sponsoring a relative who is living on rental income, you need bank statements to show regular deposits, and you need to prove that you own the rental property (e.g. a tenancy agreement).
Category D: Cash Savings
Applicants who don’t qualify by having enough income can rely on cash from savings. In order to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement with savings, the applicants must figure out the savings required as a multiple of the income threshold. When applying for a partner visa and not having any children, you would need to save £62,500.
Category E: Pension Income
Category E is for those who depend on pension income, and they can meet the financial requirement by using state, occupational or private pensions. The income must come from a pension source that has provided a pension for at least 28 days before applying.
Category F & G: Self-Employment and Limited Company Income
Category F is applicable for self-employed where the most recent financial year’s taxable income meets the financial requirement. Evidence of gross taxable profits like a self-assessment tax return and bank statements validating business transactions will be on the cards for applicants.
Directors of limited companies fall into category G. Under this category, the salary of the sponsor (to be employed as a salaried director of a family business or own company) can be used. Secondly, if the sponsor intends to rely on dividend income they will need to provide detailed company finances like company tax returns and dividend vouchers.
Special Considerations for Sponsors Receiving Benefits
A small number of sponsors might be in receipt of government benefits like disability living allowance, severe disablement allowance, or carer’s allowance. In addition, these sponsors can meet the Appendix FM financial requirement, if this can be evidenced by official documentation confirming their benefit entitlement and amount.
Combining Income Sources to Meet Financial Requirements
In some cases, it may be possible for applicants to bring together multiple income sources to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement. For example, it is possible to combine income from salaried employment (Category A), and income from rental (Category C). However, there are specific rules to follow when combining different income categories and the evidence should be supplied correctly.
Evidence and Methods for Calculation (Appendix FM-SE)
Appendix FM-SE explains how to meet the financial requirement for Appendix FM and what documents are needed. It explains how income should be calculated, what kind of evidence must be provided, and how to show that the sponsor is financially capable. Rules for self-employment income, combining income from different sources, and the use of savings to meet the financial threshold are also explained in Appendix FM-SE.
Meeting the Appendix FM Financial Requirement
Applicants must prove that their income is above the minimum amount stated by the Home Office for purposes of meeting the Appendix FM financial requirement. It can be from salaried or non-salaried employment, from savings, a pension, income from self-employment, or from a limited company.
If you have children, the minimum income requirement goes up based on your number of dependents. However, taking care to pay attention to the rules in Appendix FM SE will help ensure that all necessary documents and calculations are provided to satisfy the entry criteria.
Our expert immigration lawyers at Rees Clayton Solicitors can assist with your spouse’s visa application and guide you in meeting the financial requirements of Appendix FM.
Conclusion
The rules around the Appendix FM financial requirement can be complex, but with the right understanding of the rules and the right paperwork, applicants can meet the financial requirement. Irrespective of whether you are applying with salaried income, non-employment income, or savings then all evidence must be provided as per Appendix FM guidance and Appendix FM-SE. Following these requirements will increase your chances of a successful UK spouse application. If you need expert advice or assistance, then you can contact our legal team at Rees Clayton Solicitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income requirement for a UK spouse visa under Appendix FM?
For UK spouse visa applicants without children under Appendix FM, the minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year. This is an amount that assures that sponsors can also financially support their spouses without depending on public funds. There are additional requirements for the children of the sponsor; the income requirement is increased by another £3,800 for the first child and another £2,400 for each subsequent child.
Can I combine income to meet Appendix FM financial requirements?
You can combine different types of income to reach the Appendix FM financial requirement. For instance, this includes income from salaried employment (Category A), rental income (Category C), and income from savings (Category D). But not all categories can be mixed and there are certain rules that you must obey when you merge different sources of income. You have to make sure you give the right documentation for each of these income sources.
What documents do I need for Appendix FM financial requirements?
Required documentation varies depending on whether you are meeting the Appendix FM financial requirement by the income criterion. Common documents include:
- Salaried employment payslips or bank statements.
- Evidence of rental income (e.g., tenancy agreements, bank statements).
- Bank statements showing proof of the required savings balance.
- Self-assessment tax returns and business bank statements for self-employed applicants.
- An employer letter (if applicable to salaried employees) or any similar proof will need to be furnished for your income group as well.
How is Appendix FM-SE related to financial requirements?
Appendix FM-SE contains comprehensive guidance as to the format of the evidence and how to calculate income to satisfy the Appendix FM 1.7 financial requirement. This includes what income should be documented, what type of evidence is needed, and acceptable calculation methods for different types of income. Hence, it is very important that applicants go through Appendix FM SE to make sure that their income calculations meet the Home Office standards and improve their probability of getting their applications through.
Can cash savings fulfil the financial criteria if I don’t have enough income?
Yes, if you don’t have enough income, you can use your savings to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement. To use your savings, you need to meet the calculations of multiplying the minimum income by 2.5 and adding £16,000. For instance, a partner who doesn’t have any kids would need to save £62,500. It is important to make sure that the savings account is in the name of the applicant or supporter and that the right paperwork is shown to show that the money is available.
