The UK spouse visa financial requirement is £29,000 a year. You can meet it with your income, your partner's income, both combined, or cash savings. The single figure covers your dependent children — you do not add an extra amount for them.
This applies to applications made on or after 11 April 2024.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum income | £29,000 a year |
| Whose income counts | Applicant, partner, or both combined |
| Children | Covered by the £29,000 — no extra amount |
| Savings route | Cash savings held for at least 6 months |
| Older applications | £18,600 if you first applied before 11 April 2024 |
| Benefit exemption | Some disability and carer benefits replace the income test |
Quick Overview
✅ The requirement is £29,000 a year for new applications
✅ You can combine your income and your partner's income to reach it
✅ You can use cash savings instead of, or alongside, income
⚠️ You must hold cash savings for at least 6 months to count them
⚠️ The old £18,600 figure only applies if you first applied before 11 April 2024
📌 The £29,000 now covers children — there is no extra amount per child for new applications
📌 Certain disability and carer benefits remove the income test entirely
💡 A job offer starting soon does not count — only income you already earn
💡 Keep 6 months of payslips and bank statements ready before you apply
The financial requirement is the part of the spouse visa that stops most applications. You must prove your household reaches £29,000 a year before your partner can join or stay in the UK. This guide shows the exact figure, how to meet it with income or savings, and who is exempt. It covers the visa and extension stage — the requirement is also checked again at settlement.
What is the spouse visa financial requirement in 2026?
The financial requirement is £29,000 a year. This is the minimum household income needed to sponsor a partner on a UK family visa.
You can meet it with:
- Your income, if you are the sponsor
- Your partner's income
- Both incomes combined
- Cash savings
- A combination of income and savings
The figure is the same whether you are applying for the first time, extending, or bringing children. For new applications, the £29,000 already includes your children.
Do you need extra income for children?
No — not for new applications. For applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the £29,000 covers your dependent children. You do not add a separate amount for each child.
There is one exception. If you first applied before 11 April 2024 and are extending an existing visa, the older rules apply. Your requirement is £18,600, plus £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
How to meet it with cash savings
You can use cash savings instead of income, or to top up income that falls short. The savings must be held for at least 6 months before you apply.
The amount of savings needed is much higher than the income figure. As a guide, to meet the full £29,000 on savings alone, you need £88,500 held for 6 months. If you have some income, you need less in savings. Check the GOV.UK savings guidance for your exact figure.
Savings must be in cash — not property, shares, or a pension pot you cannot access.
Who is exempt from the income requirement
You do not have to meet the £29,000 income figure if your partner receives certain benefits. These include:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer's Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
If you qualify for this exemption, you instead show "adequate maintenance". This means enough money to house and support your family without relying on public funds. The fixed income figure does not apply.
Will the requirement rise to £38,700?
Not yet. The government planned to raise the requirement in stages — first to £34,500, then to around £38,700.
[Proposed — not yet law]
As of 2026, those further rises are paused while the Migration Advisory Committee reviews them. The current requirement is still £29,000. Do not plan around £38,700 unless it becomes law — apply under the rules that apply now.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Counting a future job offer as income
People include a job that has not started. Only income you already receive counts under most categories. Wait until you have the payslips, or you risk refusal and losing the fee.
❌ Using savings held for less than 6 months
Savings must sit in your account for a full 6 months before you apply. Moving money in shortly before will not count.
❌ Adding a child amount on a new application
Some people still add £3,800 per child and think they need more than £29,000. For new applications, the £29,000 already covers children.
❌ Assuming the £18,600 figure still applies
The old £18,600 requirement only applies if you first applied before 11 April 2024. New applicants who plan around £18,600 will fall short by over £10,000.
Expert Tips (What Most Guides Miss)
- Combine income only where the rules allow. You can add your partner's UK income at the extension stage, but at the first application there are limits on using an overseas partner's income. Check which category fits before you count it.
- Keep 6 months of evidence, not one payslip. Most refusals are about missing documents, not low income. Gather 6 months of payslips and matching bank statements.
- Self-employed income is judged on a full financial year. If you are self-employed, your income is checked against your last full tax year, not your recent months. Plan your application date around your accounts.
- Check the benefit exemption before assuming you must hit £29,000. If your partner gets PIP, DLA, or Carer's Allowance, the income test is replaced by adequate maintenance — a far easier bar for many families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income for a UK spouse visa in 2026?
The minimum income is £29,000 a year for applications made on or after 11 April 2024. You can meet it with your income, your partner's income, both combined, or cash savings.
Do I need extra money for children on a spouse visa?
Not for new applications. The £29,000 covers your dependent children. Extra child amounts only apply if you first applied before 11 April 2024, when the requirement was £18,600 plus child amounts.
How much savings do I need for a spouse visa?
To meet the full £29,000 on savings alone, you need around £88,500 held for at least 6 months. If you also have income, you need less in savings. Check GOV.UK for your exact figure.
Is the spouse visa requirement going up to £38,700?
Not yet. The planned rise to £38,700 is paused while it is reviewed. The current requirement is £29,000. Apply under the rules that apply now, not a proposed figure.
Who is exempt from the spouse visa income requirement?
You are exempt if your partner receives certain benefits, such as PIP, DLA, or Carer's Allowance. Instead of the income figure, you show adequate maintenance — enough to support your family without public funds.
Can I use my partner's income to meet the requirement?
Yes. You can combine your income and your partner's income to reach £29,000. At the first application there are limits on using an overseas partner's income, so check which category applies to you.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
The figures here come from GOV.UK's family visa financial requirement guidance. Immigration rules change often, and the requirement has been under review. Always check GOV.UK for the current figure before you apply.
Official Resources
- UK family visa: proof of income — gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income-partner
- UK family visa overview — gov.uk/uk-family-visa
Preparing for the Life in the UK test too?
Your partner will also need the Life in the UK test and a B1 English qualification for settlement. Start early with free practice questions and a mock test, and map your dates with our free immigration tools.
Work out your household income against £29,000 now, gather 6 months of evidence, and check whether the benefit exemption applies to you before you apply. That is what decides most spouse visa applications.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. Figures correct at time of publication and subject to review. Always check GOV.UK for the latest requirement before applying.