UK family visas
UK spouse visa financial requirement: the £29,000 rule
To bring a partner to the UK on a family visa, you and your partner usually need to show a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. This is called the minimum income requirement.
- Usual figure
- £29,000 a year
- Older cases
- £18,600, if first applied before 11 April 2024
- Savings
- Can sometimes replace income
Who it suits
Is this visa for you?
- Anyone applying for a spouse, partner or fiancé(e) visa
- Couples where the income is split between two people, or comes from several sources
- Self-employed sponsors and people with changing income
The basics
What the UK looks for
- A combined income of at least £29,000 a year for applications made on or after 11 April 2024
- People who first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 may have a lower figure, with extra for certain children
- Some sponsors who receive certain disability or carer benefits are exempt from the figure but must still show they can support the family
- The way you prove income depends on how it is earned, and the rules are exact
A summary of the published rules. The full rules have more conditions, and they change. GOV.UK: Financial requirements for partners
Take care
Where cases go wrong
- Having enough money is not the same as proving it the right way
- Employment, self-employment and savings each have their own evidence rules
- The rules have changed in recent years and further changes are possible, so check before you rely on a figure
Your case has details a web page cannot cover.
A consultation tells you where you stand, and what to do first.
Book a consultationFAQs
Financial requirement questions
Can savings replace income?
Savings can sometimes be used, in whole or in part. The calculation and the way the money must be held are strict. We work this out with you before you apply.
What if we do not meet the requirement?
Some people can still apply if refusal would breach their human rights or affect a British child. These cases are hard and need careful advice.
Let's map your global pathway
A first consultation covers eligibility, realistic timelines, total cost and the tax consequences of the move. You leave with a written plan, not a brochure.