The UK Spouse Visa (also referred to as the UK Partner Visa) allows non-UK nationals who are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom.
This comprehensive guide covers the core eligibility requirements, financial thresholds, required documentation, and the step-by-step application process for the 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
1. Key Eligibility Requirements Overview
To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa under Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules, both the applicant and the UK-based sponsor must meet four core criteria:
| Requirement | Key Criteria |
| Sponsor Status | Must be a British/Irish citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or refugee status. |
| Relationship | Legally married/civil partners, or unmarried partners living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 continuous years. Must be aged 18 or older. |
| Financial Minimum | Gross annual sponsor income of at least £29,000 (or equivalent cash savings/qualifying benefits exemption). |
| English & Housing | Pass an approved CEFR English test (Level A1 minimum) and provide proof of adequate UK accommodation. |
2. The Financial Requirement (£29,000 Minimum Income)
The financial requirement ensures that incoming partners can be supported without relying on UK public funds. Use our bespoke Spouse Visa income Calculator to get an estimate of requirements before making an application for a UK spouse visa.
Current Threshold: The minimum gross annual income requirement is £29,000 per year for new first-time applications. There is no additional financial surcharge for dependent children under current rules.
Transitional Protection
If you submitted your initial spouse visa application before April 11, 2024, you are protected under transitional rules. When applying for an extension or ILR, your financial threshold remains fixed at the former £18,600 baseline.
Permitted Income Categories (Appendix FM-SE)
The Home Office strictly evaluates income under specific categories set out in Appendix FM-SE. You can meet the requirement through one category or a permitted combination.
| Category | Source | Requirement / Calculation | Key Prescribed Documents |
| Category A | Salaried or non-salaried employment (Same employer ≥ 6 months) | Gross annual salary at the time of application must be at least £29,000. Calculated using the lowest salary earned in the past 6 months. |
• 6 consecutive months of payslips • 6 months corresponding bank statements • Formal employer confirmation letter |
| Category B | Employment (With current employer < 6 months, or variable income) |
Two-part test: 1. Current gross salary must be ≥ £29,000/yr. 2. Actual gross income received in the last 12 months across all jobs must be ≥ £29,000. |
• 12 months of payslips • 12 months matching bank statements • Employer letters for all roles held in the last 12 months |
| Category C | Non-employment income | Property rental, interest, share dividends, or trust payouts received in the last 12 months. |
• Proof of asset ownership (e.g. title deeds) • Tax returns / statements • Bank statements showing receipts |
| Category D | Cash Savings | Savings above £16,000 held continuously for at least 6 months. |
• 6 months consecutive bank statements • Declaration of the source of savings |
| Category E | Pension Income | State, occupational, or private pension received for at least 28 days prior to application. |
• Official pension statement / letter • Bank statements showing payout |
| Category F / G | Self-Employment / Company Director | Based on net profit or dividends/salary from the last full tax year (Category F) or averaged over 2 tax years (Category G). |
• HMRC SA302 & Tax Overview • Accountant-certified accounts • Business & personal bank statements |
Key Conditions for Cash Savings Category D
To use cash savings toward your application, you must meet the following Home Office rules:
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Held for at least 6 months: The funds must be continuously held in your account(s) for a minimum of 6 consecutive months leading up to the application date. If the balance drops below the required threshold at any point during those 6 months—even by £1—the cash savings cannot be used.
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Account Ownership: Savings can be in the name of the sponsor, the applicant, or held jointly.
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Immediate Accessibility: Funds must be held in cash in a regulated financial institution (bank, building society, or savings account) where money can be withdrawn immediately. Investments like stocks, shares, or property do not count directly unless liquidated into cash and held as cash for 6 months prior.
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Source of Funds: You must provide a declaration explaining the source of the savings (e.g., salary savings, property sale, inheritance, or gift). If gifted, it must be an irrevocable gift, not a loan.
Cash Savings Calculation Formula
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Full Savings Route (Zero Income): £16,000 + (£29,000 \times 2.5) = £88,500
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Partial Shortfall Example: If the sponsor earns £20,000 per year (shortfall = £9,000): £16,000 + (£9,000 \times 2.5) = £38,500 in savings required.
Exemption: “Adequate Maintenance Test” Spouse Visa
If the UK sponsor receives specific qualifying benefits, the £29,000 requirement is waived. Instead, the applicant must satisfy the Adequate Maintenance Test:
Qualifying Benefits
To qualify for the Adequate Maintenance route, the UK sponsor must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits at the date of application:
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
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Attendance Allowance
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Carer’s Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland)
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Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
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Severe Disablement Allowance
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Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
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Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
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Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
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Police Injury Pension
The Adequate Maintenance Formula
Instead of earning £29,000 per year, the household must satisfy the mathematical formula below;
Where: A – B ≥ C
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A (Net Income): Total weekly income of the household after Income Tax and National Insurance deductions. This can include qualifying benefits, employment income, pensions, or child benefits.
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B (Housing Costs): Total weekly expenditure on accommodation (Rent or Mortgage payments) plus Council Tax.
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C (Income Support Rate): The equivalent weekly amount a British family of the same size would receive under UK Income Support rules.
If the money left over after paying rent/mortgage and council tax {A – B) is greater than or equal to the Income Support rate (C), the application meets the financial requirement.
Whose Income Can Be Counted?
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Out-of-Country Applications (Entry Clearance): Only the UK-based sponsor’s income can be counted towards employment/self-employment. Cash savings can belong to either the sponsor, the applicant, or both jointly.
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In-Country Applications (Switching or Extending inside the UK): The combined earnings of both the sponsor and the applicant count, provided the applicant is legally authorized to work in the UK.
3. Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
To prevent convenience marriages, the Home Office requires evidence showing that your relationship is real and ongoing.
Mandatory & Supporting Evidence
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Legal Certificates: Marriage or civil partnership certificate (with official certified translation if not in English/Welsh).
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Cohabitation Proof: Official documents addressed to both partners at the same address (utility bills, council tax statements, bank statements, tenancy agreements) covering 2 full years.
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Relationship History: Proof of ongoing contact (communication logs, travel bookings, photographs together over time, joint financial commitments).
4. Step-by-Step Spouse Visa Application Timeline
The path from initial visa approval to full British citizenship follows a structured 5-year journey:
5. English Language & Housing Requirements
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English Proficiency: Applicants from non-English speaking countries must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at an approved provider (e.g., IELTS Life Skills, Trinity College London):
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Initial Visa: Level A1 speaking and listening.
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Extension (FLR-M): Level A2 speaking and listening.
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ILR (SET-M): Level B1 speaking and listening.
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Accommodation Standard: You must demonstrate that the property you intend to live in will not be statutorily overcrowded under the Housing Act 1985 and has enough rooms for exclusive family use.
