The UK spouse visa financial requirement is £29,000 in gross annual income, or £88,500 held in savings for at least six months if you have no qualifying income. Both figures apply under Appendix FM of the Home Office Immigration Rules for applications made on or after 11 April 2024.
If your income falls short of £29,000, you don't automatically fail the requirement — savings can fill the gap, either entirely or combined with whatever income you do have. This page sets out how each route is calculated and where the £88,500 figure actually comes from.
| Route | What's required | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Income only | £29,000 gross annual income (employment, self-employment, or a specified combination) | Sponsor or applicant already earns at or above the threshold |
| Savings only | £88,500 held continuously for at least 6 months | No qualifying income — e.g. not currently working |
| Income + savings combined | Savings shortfall × 2.5, added to a £16,000 buffer | Some income, but below £29,000 |
The savings-only figure isn't arbitrary — it's calculated directly from the income threshold using a formula set out in Appendix FM-SE: the annual income requirement is multiplied by 2.5, then a fixed £16,000 buffer is added.
(£29,000 × 2.5) + £16,000 = £88,500
The same formula applies to a partial shortfall. For example, if your income is £20,000 against the £29,000 threshold, the £9,000 shortfall is multiplied by 2.5 (£22,500) — that's the amount you'd need in savings on top of your income, rather than the full £88,500.
The minimum income requirement rose from £18,600 to £29,000 for anyone applying under the partner route for the first time on or after that date. Two further increases, to £34,500 and then £38,700, were proposed but have since been paused following a Migration Advisory Committee review, so £29,000 remains the current figure through 2026.
If your first application under this route was made before 11 April 2024, transitional protection applies: the earlier £18,600 threshold continues to apply to extensions and settlement (ILR) applications with the same partner, as long as continuous leave on the route is maintained.
Yes. It has applied since 11 April 2024 and remains unchanged for 2026 — the proposed further increases were paused.
Yes. With no qualifying income, £88,500 in savings held continuously for 6 months satisfies the requirement on its own. Savings and income can also be combined to cover a shortfall.
Yes — the same Appendix FM financial requirement applies across the partner route, covering spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé(e) applications.
Transitional protection applies, and the earlier £18,600 threshold continues for extensions and ILR with the same partner, provided continuous leave on the route is maintained.
Not sure which route applies to you? Take the free Quick Check and we'll point you toward the right next step, or get in touch directly.