One of the most important eligibility criteria for the Spouse visa is to clearly demonstrate that you meet the financial requirement. The financial requirement for the Spouse visa is designed to ensure that the sponsoring partner in the UK can support their spouse without relying on public funds. The minimum income threshold is currently set at £18,600 per year for couples who do not have children. If the couple has children, an additional £3,800 must be shown for their first child and an additional £2,400 for each child after that.
There are various financial sources on which you can rely as a part of the financial requirement. According to Appendix FM (Section 1.7: Financial requirement), where the applicant has to meet the minimum income requirement, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways:
• income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) - this is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history
• non-employment income, for example, income from property rental or dividends from shares. This is referred to as Category C
• cash savings of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant, above £16,000, held by the partner and/or the applicant for at least 6 months and under their control - this is referred to as Category D
• state (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant - this is referred to as Category E
• income from self-employment, and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK, of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) - this is referred to as Category F or Category G, depending on which financial year(s) is or are being relied upon
It is possible to rely on sources from various categories; however, the rules regulating how one can combine categories are complex. In addition, various unexpected circumstances, such as job loss or a reduction in income, can significantly impact one’s ability to meet the financial requirement. If you find yourself in this situation, it is essential to understand your options.
In some cases, the Home Office may consider exceptional circumstances, such as a temporary loss of income due to illness. Providing clear documentation and evidence is crucial when requesting consideration based on exceptional circumstances.
Contact us today if you are unsure how to meet the financial requirement of the UK Spouse visa.
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