Introduction
To secure a UK partner or family visa, applicants must meet the strict minimum financial requirement as outlined in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules which mandates applicants earn a minimum annual income of £29,000 (excluding the additional amount required for any child dependants on the spouse visa).
In this article, we aim to break down how combining incomes sources and various categories to meet this financial requirement, providing a more straightforward guide for any applicants and sponsors who may be aiming to apply for a spouse visa, but not currently meeting the financial requirements with just one income category. .
How to Meet the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement?
When applying for a UK spouse visa, understanding the distinction between salaried and non-salaried employment is vital. Salaried employment refers to jobs that pay a fixed annual salary, which in most cases is outlined in the individuals contract which would detail their minimum number of hours per week etc… This type of employment provides a very predictable and steady income stream, which is highly valuable in spouse visa applications, as it reduces the amount of complex calculations that has to be made in order to determine how much the applicant makes.
In contrast, non-salaried employment typically involves work that pays on an hourly basis and may include jobs like zero-hour contracts, where the hours of work aren’t guaranteed.
These definitions are crucial for any spouse visa applicants to understand set the groundwork for evaluating which income sources can be effectively combined to meet the visa’s financial requirements.
Home Office Income Categories for Spouse Visa Applications
The UK Home Office categorises income into groups labelled form A-G, each with specific criteria and implications for combining them with another to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa.
Category A: Employment for more than 6 months
This category considers any income that the applicant or sponsor makes from their current employer, where they have been employed for at least six months.
Category B: Employment for less than 6 months
Category B includes all the earnings made by either the applicant or sponsor from their employment were they have been employed for less than six months.
Category C: Non-employment income
In category C any sources like property rental, dividends from investments, and interest from savings, which must have been received within the 12 months prior to the application, are accounted for in the spouse visa application.
Category D: Cash Savings
Category D encompasses any cash savings that the sponsor or applicant has and wants to contribute toward the financial requirement, for more information we have a dedicated page that breaks down how cash savings can be utilised in a spouse visa application.
Category E: Pensions
Any gross annual income from UK or foreign pensions can count and contribute towards meeting the financial requirement.
Category F: Self-employment and directorships (latest financial year)
Income earned from self-employment or from acting as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the last, full financial year, can also be used to satisfy the minimum income requirement.
Category G: Self-employment and directorships (average of 2 years)
Similar to Category F, but category G also allows applicants to use an average of their income over the last two, full financial years.
Combining Income Sources for UK Spouse Visa Applications
Combining income sources for a UK spouse visa requires a clear understanding of permissible combinations under the Immigration Rules and which categories can not be combined.
| Income Category | Combining Income Categories | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| A (Employed >6 months) | C, D, E, F, G | None |
| B (Employed <6 months) | C, E, F, G (D under specific conditions) | D (stage 2) |
| C (Non-employment income) | A, B, D, E | None |
| D (Cash savings) | A, C, E | B (specific conditions), F, G |
| E (Pension) | A, B, C, D | None |
| F & G (Self-employment) | A | B, D |
Combining Income Category A with Other Categories
- Category A with Category C, D, and E: If your total income from employment for more than 6 months (Category A) is below the minimum requirement, you can combine it with any income made from non-employment sources (Category C), cash savings (Category D), and pension income (Category E).
- Category A with Categories F and G: Any income from Category A can also be combined with income from self-employment and directorships, whether being form the last full financial year (Category F) or an average of the last two years (Category G).
Essentially, applicants or sponsors can combine any income they make from category A with any other of the income categories, as their are no restrictions.
Combining Income Category B with Other Categories
- Category B Restrictions: While income from employment for less than 6 months ( Category B) can generally be combined with the same sources as Category A, however, there are specific restrictions when it comes to cash savings.
- Combining Category B with Cash Savings (Category D): There is an exception that exists for combining Category B with cash savings. At stage 2 of Category B, the actual income earned over the last 12 months is assessed, and during this stage, reliance on cash savings is not allowed, meanig that you can not combine categories B and D when applying for a spouse visa.
What Categories Can Not be Combined – Restrictions Combining Income
Certain income sources are restricted from being combined, which is essential to remember to avoid application delays or rejections:
- Is Combining Income categories A and B Possible?: Income from Category A and Category B cannot be combined. If you and your partner are both employed in the UK, you can only combine your incomes if you both fall under the same category.
- Cash Savings and Self-Employment Restrictions: Additionally, cash savings cannot be combined with self-employment income (Categories F and G), as well as with any income made from being a director or employee of a specified limited company.
Understanding which income categories are allowed to be combined and those that aren’t, is important in order to minimise the risk of any Home Office time delays when processing the spouse visa application.
If your applying for a UK Spouse Visa, and your still unsure on how combining income sources works, or if your allowed to, Don’t Hesitate to Contact Our Specialist Immigration Solicitors.
Conclusion
Successfully combining income sources to meet the UK spouse visa financial requirements necessitates a thorough understanding of the different income categories and the specific rules for their combination. In this guide, we’ve outlined how combining income sources, from employment and pensions to cash savings and self-employment can be strategically combined to achieve the necessary financial threshold.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the Income Categories: Familiarise yourself with the different income categories (A-G) and their respective rules.
- Combining Incomes: Use the allowable combinations, such as combining Category A with C, D, and E or with F and G, to your advantage.
- Adhere to Restrictions: Be mindful of the restrictions, especially the inability to combine certain incomes like those from Category A and B or cash savings with self-employment.
For further information regarding your spouse visa application or how combining income sources works, reach out to our immigration lawyers at 0161 222 5860 or read our other resources, such as Explaining the Spouse visa 10 year route and New Spouse visa rules for more detailed information.
