FARGOMEM
A partner visa is an immigration route that allows spouses, unmarried partners, fiancé(e)’s, proposed civil partners and civil partners of British citizens, Irish citizens, pre-settled holders under Appendix EU, Turkish Businessperson holders, Turkish worker visa holders, refugee status holders, humanitarian protection holders and permanent residents (sponsors) who are both present and settled to live in the United Kingdom.
However, there are various immigration conditions, including financial, accommodation, relationship and language requirements that must be met to qualify. One of the most critical aspects of the application process is the financial requirements piece, as the applicant must demonstrate that they can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds.
There are two parts to this requirement: accommodation and a specified level of income or savings, and this blog explores the latter.
There is often a general misconception that meeting the financial requirements primarily hinges on a specific income threshold. While a minimum income through employment is indeed a commonly relied-upon, it is not the sole route. The financial requirements can be satisfied through various means, such as employment income, self-employment, non-employment, cash savings, pension income or through a combination of some of these.
Minimum income threshold
The minimum income threshold for a partner visa is £18,600 per annum. It must be demonstrated at each stage of the application: initial, extension and indefinite leave to remain.
This threshold increases if there are non-British children who are also applying for visas at the same time as the applicant’s parent or later. The threshold increases by £3,800 for the first child, and then by a further £2,400 per child for any additional children.
Each source of income category available to meet the minimum income requirements as per the immigration guidance which categorizes them in alphabetical letters is outlined below.
Categories A & B: Employment income
These categories relate to salaried and non-salaried employees and their variable income received from employment on the part of the sponsor and the applicant. It should be noted, however, that the applicant’s income cannot be considered under this section unless the applicant is already in the UK with permission to work and is applying to extend or switch visa categories.
Employment income typically needs to be evidenced over the past six months to a year depending on the fact pattern and the employment should be ongoing. Where the sponsor is overseas and returning to the UK, they must have a confirmed job offer starting within three months of their return.
Category C: Passive/non-employment income
Applicants can use passive income sources to meet the financial requirements. These include income received from property, investments, savings, specified government allowances and/or pay-outs from various schemes (such as maintenance payments resulting from divorce proceedings, study grants, insurance policies, legal settlements and royalties).
