The UK Government has set a Minimum Income Requirement for those who wish to come to the UK on the basis of their relationship with:
- A British/Irish Citizen;
- A person with settled status in the UK (e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU Settled Status or proof of permanent residence);
- A person with pre-settled status;
- A person with Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa;
- A person who has refugee status or humanitarian protection; or,
- A Stateless person.
What is the Minimum Income Requirement amount?
There are two important figures when considering the Minimum Income Requirement and the amount which applies depends on your circumstances:
If the Applicant is applying for entry clearance or permission to remain in the UK under this route for the first time, the Minimum Income Requirement is £29,000. This figure was previously £18,600 and was raised to the current amount on 11th April 2024.
This means, the Applicant’s partner (and/or Applicant who is the UK with permission to work), must demonstrate that they receive a gross (pre-tax) annual income of £29,000 through the options explored further in this article. The amount does not increase if there the Applicant has dependant children who are also applying for permission to enter/remain in, the UK.
Transitional provisions for those who are already on this Spouse / Partner route
If the Applicant had been granted permission to enter / remain in the UK under this route before 11th April 2024, then transitional provisions apply which means the Applicant will only be required to meet the Minimum Income Requirement which was applicable at the time of their initial grant as a Spouse/Partner. Typically, this would be £18,600 plus any dependant child element up to £29,000. An Applicant can only rely on the transitional provisions if they are applying to extend their family visa based on their relationship with the same partner as in the initial application.
What are the different sources of income which you can use to demonstrate you meet the Minimum Income Requirement?
There are several different ways to meet the Minimum Income Requirement:
- The Applicant’s partner’s (and/or Applicant’s, if they have valid permission to work in the UK) salaried or non-salaried employment income. This is further split into two further sub-categories:
Category A: where the Applicant’s partner (and/or Applicant’s, if they have valid permission to work in the UK) has been working for their employer for 6 months or more and they are residing in the UK. This Category also covers the scenario where the Applicant is applying for entry clearance and the Applicant’s partner (also known as Sponsor) is overseas and returning to the UK with the Applicant.
Or Category B: where the Applicant’s partner (and/or Applicant if they have valid permission to work in the UK) has not been with their employer for 6 months or more, or where either of them have variable income. Again, this category covers overseas Sponsors returning to the UK.
- Through non-employment income known as Category C: These can include, but not limited to: property rental income, dividends or other income from investments, stocks and shares, bonds or trust funds, maintenance payments etc.
- Cash savings held known as Category D: the amount of cash savings above £16,000 held by the Applicant or Applicant’s partner or jointly for a total of 6 months consistently and immediately preceding the date of application can count. The following calculation is used: Amount of cash savings minus £16,000, divided by 2.5 (the period of leave) = the amount which can be used and which must meet or exceed the relevant Minimum Income Requirement. Thus, for new Applicants under this route, the minimum cash savings which must be held for 6 months is £88,500.
- Pension income known as Category E: The gross annual income from any State (UK Basic State Pension and Additional or Second State Pension, HM Forces Pension or foreign), occupational or private pension received by the Applicant or their partner can be count towards the Minimum Income Requirement.
- Income from Self – employment or received as a Director of a Specified Limited Company known as Categories F and G. Again, this can be income from the Applicant’s partner / Applicant (if they have valid permission to work in the UK). Income received in the last full financial year or an average of the last 2 full financial years can be relied upon. The relevant financial year(s) depends upon whether the Applicant is relying upon self-employment income or director income.
Specified Evidence to demonstrate you meet the Minimum Income Requirement
A word of warning, for some applications, the required specified evidence which needs to accompany an application can be arduous. It is important to seek immigration advice if you are unsure as to which evidence is required. Any refusal of a visa application could potentially affect future applications.
Are further increases to the Minimum Income Requirement coming?
The previous Conservative government had plans to introduce further increments to the Minimum Income Requirement in December 2024 – rising to £34,500, and then again in Spring 2025 – rising to £38,700, This would eventually bring the Minimum Income Requirement in line with the General Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker visas. However, the new Labour government has put any further increases on hold pending review by the Migration Advisory Committee. Thus, there are no further increases which have been announced as of the date of this article.
We are here to assist you with your application
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with work visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. Remember, preparing an application yourself without professional legal advice can lead to a refusal which could impact any future visa applications. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
