Navigating the financial requirements for UK Partner and Family Visa applications can be one of the most complex and daunting aspects of the immigration process. The UK Home Office sets clear financial thresholds that applicants must meet to ensure their application is successful. This blog aims to provide a detailed explanation of the financial requirements for these visas, including the various categories available and how to meet them, to help you understand what is needed and make the application process smoother.
1. Introduction: Understanding the Financial Requirement for UK Partner and Family Visas
When applying for a UK Partner or Family Visa under Appendix FM, the financial requirement is one of the core criteria that applicants must satisfy. For most applicants, the threshold is either a gross annual income of £29,000 or cash savings of £88,500. This financial threshold ensures that the applicant can financially support their partner and any dependent children without relying on public funds.
However, the financial requirement isn’t always straightforward. It can vary depending on employment status, income sources, and the timing of the evidence provided. This article will break down the financial requirements into categories, explain the necessary documentation, and provide examples to help you understand how to meet the Home Office’s expectations.
2. Category A: Financial Requirement for Salaried and Non-Salaried Employment
For applicants who are employed, the financial requirement can often be met through salaried or non-salaried employment. Category A applies to those who have been with their current employer for at least 6 months prior to the date of application. This category allows applicants to use their gross annual salary to meet the financial threshold.
What qualifies as salaried and non-salaried employment?
- Salaried employment is where an individual receives a fixed salary, typically annually, and is contracted to work a set number of hours.
- Non-salaried employment includes roles where the pay is hourly or variable, based on the number of hours worked or tasks completed.
To meet the financial requirement under Category A, applicants must submit 6 months of payslips and 6 months of corresponding bank statements that show the salary payments being made. If your employment history with the same employer is less than 6 months, you may be eligible to apply under Category B, which will be explained next.
3. Returning Sponsors/Partners: Financial Requirements for Overseas Sponsors Returning to the UK
For those applying for a Partner or Family Visa, one situation that often arises is when a partner is returning to the UK with the applicant. In such cases, there are additional financial requirements to consider.
First, the returning sponsor must be in employment at the date of application and must have been with the same employer for at least 6 months prior to the application. Second, the sponsor must also have a confirmed offer of salaried or non-salaried employment in the UK that will commence within 3 months of their return.
Both the current and prospective employment must meet or exceed the £29,000 income threshold. The Home Office requires that applicants provide proof of both their current employment status and their future job offer to ensure that they can financially support their family when they return to the UK.
4. Category B: Salaried and Non-Salaried Employment Requirements (Less than 6 Months with Current Employer or Variable Income)
For applicants who have been employed for less than 6 months or who have variable income, Category B is the route to consider. This category allows applicants to rely on their current salary, even if they have not met the 6-month employment requirement. It is especially useful for those who have recently changed jobs or have jobs with variable hours.
If you are in salaried or non-salaried employment and have been with your current employer for less than 6 months, you can still use your gross annual salary to meet the financial requirement. However, this is only applicable if your actual gross annual income over the past 12 months exceeds the £29,000 threshold. In such cases, the Home Office requires evidence of your latest payslips and employment contract, as well as confirmation that your income for the previous year met the required level.
This option is particularly beneficial for those who are in the process of transitioning jobs or for those with fluctuating incomes, such as hourly workers or freelancers.
5. Category B for Returning Overseas Sponsor
Returning overseas sponsors face a unique situation when applying for a Partner or Family Visa. Even if the applicant’s partner is not yet employed in the UK at the time of application, they can still rely on prospective employment to meet the financial requirement.
In this case, the returning sponsor will need a confirmed offer of employment in the UK, which must start within 3 months of their return. This offers some flexibility to applicants who may not yet have secured employment in the UK but are in the process of relocating.
Just like Category A, the returning sponsor’s employment—whether current or prospective—must meet the £29,000 income threshold. The Home Office will require proof of the job offer and evidence that the sponsor can meet the financial requirements when they return to the UK.
6. Category D: Meeting the Financial Requirement Through Cash Savings
For those who do not have sufficient income to meet the financial threshold, cash savings can be used as an alternative. In this case, applicants must show that they have at least £88,500 in savings that have been held for a minimum of 6 months prior to the application.
The savings must be held in the name of the applicant or their partner, and the required evidence includes bank statements showing that the funds have been in the account for the requisite 6-month period. The key to meeting this requirement is that the funds must be “liquid,” meaning they can easily be accessed and used. The Home Office will not accept savings that are tied up in property or other investments.
Cash savings can be combined with income from other sources to meet the financial requirement if necessary. This combination approach is often used by applicants who are unable to meet the full £29,000 income threshold from employment alone.
7. Liquidated Investments to Meet Financial Requirements
In addition to cash savings, liquidated investments can also be used to meet the financial requirement. These include funds that have been transferred from investments such as stocks, shares, bonds, or even pension pots.
For these funds to count, they must have been liquidated and transferred into a personal or joint account held by the applicant or their partner. The key requirement is that the funds must be owned and controlled by the applicant or their partner for at least 6 months prior to the application.
Applicants must provide documentation showing that the funds were transferred from these investments and that the funds have been in the account for the required 6 months.
8. Meeting Financial Requirements with Proceeds from Property Sales
A common source of savings for many applicants comes from the sale of property. If an applicant or their partner has sold a property in the 6 months leading up to the visa application, the proceeds from the sale can be counted towards meeting the financial requirement.
However, the applicant must have owned the property for at least 6 months before the sale, and the funds from the sale must be held in a personal or joint account for the required 6-month period. This option allows applicants to use the proceeds from selling property as part of their financial evidence, providing flexibility for those who do not have a steady income or sufficient savings at the time of application.
9. Category C: Non-Employment Income Options (Property Rental Income)
Rental income can also be used to meet the financial requirement for a Partner or Family Visa. If the applicant or their partner owns a rental property, they can use the income generated from renting the property as part of their financial evidence.
To use rental income, applicants must provide 12 months of bank statements showing the rental income received. The property must be owned by the applicant or their partner, and the income must be regular and verified by the bank statements. This can be a great option for those who have an additional source of income through property rentals but may not meet the income threshold through employment alone.
10. Category E: Meeting Financial Requirements with Pension Income
Finally, pension income can be counted towards meeting the financial requirement for a UK Partner or Family Visa. This includes income from state pensions, occupational pensions, or private pensions. For the pension income to count, it must have been received at least 28 days prior to the application.
The applicant must provide official documentation, such as a letter from the pension provider or government agency, confirming the pension entitlement and the amount received. Pension income is an important consideration for older applicants or those who are retired but still need to meet the financial threshold for their visa application.
11. Conclusion
Meeting the financial requirement for a UK Partner or Family Visa can be challenging, but there are several routes available to applicants. Whether you rely on employment income, cash savings, liquidated investments, or rental income, it’s crucial to ensure you provide accurate and up-to-date evidence to satisfy the Home Office’s requirements.
At Temple Gate Solicitors, we specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of the UK immigration system. If you’re unsure about which financial category applies to your situation or need assistance in preparing your application, we can offer expert advice and guidance to ensure your visa application is as strong as possible.
For further assistance, contact us today at Temple Gate Solicitors. Let us help you meet the financial requirements and secure your UK Partner or Family Visa.
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