1. Introduction to UK Spouse Visa Salary Requirements
The UK spouse visa allows British citizens and those with settled status to bring their non-UK spouse or partner to the UK. One of the main eligibility criteria for this visa is meeting the minimum income requirement, which is designed to ensure that applicants can financially support themselves without relying on public funds. This income threshold can be met through a variety of sources, including employment, self-employment, savings, and certain benefits.
2. What is the Minimum Salary Requirement for a UK Spouse Visa?
As of 2024, the minimum salary requirement for a UK spouse visa is £18,600 per year for the sponsoring partner. If you are sponsoring dependent children, the income threshold increases:
- £18,600 for the sponsoring spouse or partner alone.
- £22,400 if you are sponsoring one child in addition to your spouse.
- An additional £2,400 per child for each additional dependent child.
These income thresholds help demonstrate that the sponsor has adequate financial resources to support their spouse and dependents in the UK.
3. How to Meet the Financial Requirement
The minimum income requirement can be met through various sources:
- Employment Income: Earnings from full-time, part-time, or salaried employment.
- Self-Employment Income: Income from self-employment, freelancing, or contracting, which requires extra documentation.
- Savings: Cash savings can supplement income but must be above £16,000 and have been held for at least six months.
- Non-Employment Income: Certain non-employment income sources, like rental income or pension payments, may count towards the income threshold.
These options allow sponsors to combine different financial sources to meet the requirement if they do not have a single income source of £18,600 or more.
4. Using Employment to Meet the Salary Requirement
For those using employment income, here’s what counts:
- Salaried Employment: If the sponsor is employed by a company, they must earn £18,600 or more annually. Employment must be continuous for at least six months with the same employer.
- Variable Income: For sponsors with fluctuating income (e.g., shift work or commission-based jobs), the income over the past six months must average at least £18,600 annually.
- Job Changes: Sponsors who changed jobs in the past six months need to show evidence of continuous employment, with current income meeting the threshold.
Required documents for employment income include payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, and a letter from the employer.
5. Meeting the Income Requirement Through Self-Employment
Self-employed sponsors or business owners can meet the financial requirement, but they must provide specific documents for verification:
- Annual Income: Self-employed sponsors must show a minimum of £18,600 in net annual income after taxes.
- Documents Required: Proof includes tax returns (Self-Assessment or SA302 forms from HMRC), bank statements, and business accounts (if applicable).
- Accountant Verification: For sole proprietors and small business owners, certified accounts or an accountant’s letter confirming income may be required.
Self-employed applicants may need to provide up to 12 months of financial records to verify their income stability.
6. Using Savings to Meet the Financial Requirement
If the sponsor’s income is below the threshold, they can use savings to meet the requirement. However, savings must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum Required Savings: Savings must be at least £16,000 in addition to the income shortfall.
- Formula for Savings Requirement: The formula used is £16,000 + 2.5 times the income shortfall. For example, if the sponsor’s income is £15,000 (leaving a £3,600 shortfall), they need savings of at least £16,000 + (2.5 x £3,600) = £25,000.
- Held for Six Months: Savings must be in cash form (not investments) and held for at least six months.
Proof of savings includes bank statements for the past six months showing that the amount meets or exceeds the requirement.
7. Combining Income and Savings
If the sponsor’s income is close to but below £18,600, they can combine income and savings to meet the requirement. The formula for combined income and savings is:
- Calculate the shortfall in income from £18,600.
- Multiply the shortfall by 2.5, and add this to the required £16,000 minimum savings.
This flexibility allows sponsors to leverage both income and savings to satisfy the financial requirements.
8. Non-Employment Income Sources
Certain non-employment income sources are also accepted to meet the financial requirement:
- Rental Income: Earnings from rental properties.
- Pension Payments: Private or state pension income.
- Investment Income: Dividends or interest from shares, bonds, or other investments.
Each non-employment income source must be documented with financial statements or receipts to prove that they meet the required amount.
9. Exemptions from the Financial Requirement
Some sponsors are exempt from meeting the minimum income requirement if they receive certain benefits. Qualifying benefits include:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
If exempt, sponsors only need to show they can adequately support their spouse and dependents with regular financial support.
10. Documents Required for the Financial Requirement
The documents needed to prove income vary based on the source but typically include:
- Payslips: Six months of payslips for employed sponsors.
- Bank Statements: Corresponding bank statements showing salary deposits.
- Tax Documents: Self-employed individuals must include recent tax returns.
- Savings Evidence: Bank statements for the last six months showing cash savings.
- Landlord Receipts: Proof of rental income, if applicable.
Providing clear and organized documentation ensures the Home Office can verify that you meet the financial requirements.
11. What Happens if You Don’t Meet the Financial Requirement?
If you do not meet the financial requirement, your spouse visa application may be refused. To avoid this:
- Consider Alternative Visa Options: You may explore other visa categories that have lower income requirements.
- Delay the Application: If waiting to meet the income threshold is an option, you can delay applying until you meet the requirement.
- Provide Evidence of Exemption: If you qualify for an exemption, provide the necessary proof to avoid the income requirement.
Meeting the financial requirement is crucial for a successful spouse visa application, so planning ahead and consulting a professional if necessary is often beneficial.
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can my spouse work in the UK on a spouse visa?
A: Yes, holders of a UK spouse visa are allowed to work or study in the UK without restrictions.
Q2: Can I meet the income requirement with part-time work?
A: Yes, as long as your total income from all jobs meets the minimum £18,600 threshold.
Q3: Does the £18,600 requirement apply if I live outside the UK?
A: Yes, the sponsor must meet the financial requirement whether they reside in the UK or are applying to bring their spouse over from abroad.
Q4: Can I combine two jobs to meet the financial requirement?
A: Yes, if you have two jobs, you can combine income from both to meet the requirement, provided you’ve been employed in each job for at least six months.
Q5: Can my spouse’s income count towards the financial requirement?
A: If your spouse is applying from outside the UK, only the sponsor’s UK-based income counts. However, if your spouse is already in the UK with work authorization, their income may count.
Q6: Are there alternatives if I don’t meet the income requirement?
A: If you don’t meet the income requirement, you may need to explore other visa options, such as the Family Visa under exceptional circumstances or seek legal guidance.