At Nejat Immigration Ltd, one of the most complex aspects of spouse and partner visa applications I encounter involves navigating the Appendix FM financial requirements. Many clients come to me with sufficient funds but struggle because meeting these requirements isn’t simply about having money—it’s about proving your income originates from acceptable sources, calculating it correctly, and providing precisely specified documentation.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down the two main financial requirements: the minimum income threshold and adequate accommodation standards. My focus here will be on the minimum income requirement, which I find causes the most confusion among applicants.
Understanding the Legal Framework
The regulations governing these requirements are scattered across multiple documents, which I regularly reference in my practice:
Appendix FM (Family Members): The primary immigration rules covering various family application categories
Appendix FM-SE (Family Members – Specified Evidence): Technical rules defining evidence formats and income calculation methodologies
Home Office Policy Guidance: Practical examples demonstrating how requirements apply to different income types
Current Minimum Income Threshold
The first step in any application I prepare is establishing the applicable income threshold. For those applying under Appendix FM as a partner, the minimum income requirement is £29,000. This threshold remains constant regardless of dependent children included in the application.
Income Categories I Work With
In my practice, I organize income sources into categories A through G, following Home Office guidance:
Categories A & B: Employment income (salaried and non-salaried)
Category C: Non-employment sources (rental income, investments)
Category D: Cash savings
Category E: Pension income
Categories F & G: Self-employment or specified limited company income
Certain categories can be combined to reach the threshold, while others cannot—understanding these combinations is crucial for successful applications.
Employment Income: Categories A and B
Category A: Established Employment (6+ Months)
This represents the most straightforward route I recommend when possible. The sponsor (or applicant if already in the UK with work permission) must have maintained continuous employment with their current employer throughout the six months preceding the application.
For Salaried Employees: The gross annual salary must have exceeded the minimum threshold for the entire six-month period. I often counsel clients who’ve received recent pay rises that they can only rely on their previous salary if the increase occurred within the six-month window.
For Non-Salaried Workers: I calculate the annual equivalent by totaling gross income received over six months, dividing by six for a monthly average, then multiplying by twelve.
Required Documentation:
Six months of consecutive payslips
Employer letter confirming employment details, salary, employment duration, and contract type
Bank statements for the same period showing salary deposits
Special Case: Sponsors Returning to the UK
When I assist clients returning to the UK from overseas employment, they must demonstrate both:
Their overseas employment income from the last six months
A confirmed UK job offer starting within three months of return, paying above the minimum threshold
Category B: New Employment or Variable Income
For clients with less than six months in their current role or variable income patterns, I use the Category B calculation involving two components:
Gross annual employment income at application date
Actual income received during the previous twelve months
Both components must independently meet the minimum threshold.
Example from My Practice: I recently assisted a client in non-salaried employment for five months with monthly earnings of £6,000, £9,000, £4,000, £8,000, and £7,000. We calculated the annualized income (£34,000 total ÷ 5 months × 12 = £81,600) and confirmed actual income (£34,000) exceeded the £29,000 requirement on both measures.
Non-Employment Income: Category C
I frequently help clients leverage non-employment income from these acceptable sources:
Property rental proceeds
Investment returns (dividends, stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds)
Savings interest
Maintenance payments from former partners
Specific UK benefits (Maternity Allowance, Bereavement benefits, Widowed Parent’s Allowance)
War Pensions and Armed Forces schemes
Academic grants and stipends (excluding loans)
Insurance payments
Structured settlement payments
Royalty payments
Income received during the twelve months before application typically counts. The asset need not have been owned for twelve months, but must have generated income during part of that period.
This category combines well with Categories A, B, D, and E.
Cash Savings: Category D
Cash savings present a viable but mathematically complex option I often explain to clients. Funds must be held in accounts under the applicant’s name, sponsor’s name, or jointly, in regulated financial institutions with immediate access.
Critical Requirements:
Savings must have remained under the applicant and/or sponsor’s control for at least six months
Cannot dip below the required level at any point during those six months
Requires signed declaration confirming the source of funds
The Calculation: Only savings exceeding £16,000 count toward the income requirement. For calculating required savings:
Required Savings = £16,000 + (Minimum Income Threshold × 2.5)
For current applications: £16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5) = £88,500
When topping up other income sources, I substitute the actual shortfall for the minimum income threshold in this calculation.
Exception: Recently liquidated assets (investments, property sales within six months) can be counted even without six months’ holding period, provided proper documentation is supplied.
Pension Income: Category E
Pension income from UK or foreign state pensions, occupational pensions, or private pensions can satisfy the requirement. Unlike other categories, pension need only have been received for 28 days before application.
I request official documentation from relevant authorities plus bank statements showing payments.
Self-Employment and Directorships: Categories F and G
For self-employed clients or those operating specified limited companies (essentially family businesses), I calculate income based on:
Category F: Last complete financial year
Category G: Average across last two financial years
Self-Employment: I use gross taxable profits from the UK tax year (6 April to 5 April), excluding deductible allowances and expenses.
Specified Limited Companies: These are family businesses where shares are held by the director/employee, their partner, or close family members, with fewer than five other shareholders. Both employment income and dividends are calculated under these categories.
The evidential requirements for Categories F and G are extensive, requiring careful attention to Appendix FM-SE provisions.
Sponsors Receiving Disability Benefits
An important point I always check: sponsors receiving specified disability benefits don’t need to meet the minimum income requirement. Instead, they must satisfy the much lower adequate maintenance requirement
Qualifying benefits include
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Various Armed Forces compensation payments
Scottish disability payments
Several other specified disability-related benefits
Exceptional Circumstances Route
When clients cannot satisfy standard categories, I may argue exceptional circumstances under Article 8 (family life rights). Following significant court cases, the rules now permit consideration of other credible income sources where refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences.
This requires demonstrating that exceptional circumstances exist which would make refusal a breach of human rights.
Critical Documentation Requirements
I cannot overemphasize the importance of proper documentation format. Appendix FM-SE specifies not only what evidence is required, but precisely how it must be presented.
Essential Rules
Financial documents must be dated within 28 days before the application date (for the most recent portion)
Documents in languages other than English or Welsh require certified translations by qualified translators
Bank statements, employer letters, and payslips must follow specific formatting requirements
In my experience, even clients with sufficient income face refusal due to incorrect documentation format.
My Advice to Clients
At Nejat Immigration Ltd, I approach each case individually, carefully analyzing which income category or combination best suits your circumstances. The complexity of these requirements means that professional guidance often makes the difference between success and refusal.
If you’re planning a spouse or partner visa application and need assistance navigating these financial requirements, I encourage you to seek professional advice early in the process. Proper preparation and documentation are essential to avoiding costly delays and refusals.
This guide reflects the current position as of October 2025. Immigration rules change regularly, so always verify the latest requirements when preparing your application.
