UK Family Visas - Income Threshold Explained
Most UK Family Visas require you to show a minimum of £18,600 coming into your bank account. This article will go through what you need to show to meet the requirement, what to do if you don't meet the requirement and also, what can be counted as 'income'.
Give proof of your income
You and your partner must have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year if:
you’re applying as a partner
you want to settle in the UK (get ‘indefinite leave to remain’) within 5 years
You must prove you have extra money if you have children who aren’t:
British citizens
EEA nationals
permanently settled
You’ll need to earn an extra:
£3,800 for your first child
£2,400 for each child you have after your first child
This is the called the ‘minimum income requirement’.
You may be able to use your savings instead of income.
How you prove you have the money depends on how you got the income.
What counts as income
You and your partner can use:
income from employment before tax and National Insurance (check your P60 or payslips) - you can only use your own income if you earn it in the UK
income you earn from self-employment or as a director of a limited company in the UK - check your Self Assessment tax return
cash savings above £16,000
money from a pension
non-work income, for example from property rentals or dividends
If you’re using income from self-employment or employment, you’ll need to prove you or your partner received that income for 6 months or more.
Example:
You’ve worked with the same employer earning £18,600 or more for 6 months or longer.
What proof you need to give
You’ll need to send proof of your income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:
bank statements showing you or your partner’s income
6 months of payslips
a letter from an employer, dated and on headed paper
The employer’s letter should confirm:
you or your partner are employed there
the job title or position you or your partner hold
how long you or your partner have worked there
the type of contract (for example, permanent, fixed term)
what you or your partner earn before tax and National Insurance
how long you or your partner have been paid your current salary
the payslips are genuine
You’ll be told exactly what documents to send when you apply online.
Check the detailed guidance if:
you or your partner’s income is more complicated
you or your partner have taken maternity or paternity leave in the last 6 months
you want to combine different income sources
The detailed guidance also explains the evidence you need to provide for each of the types of income you’re relying on.
If you can’t meet the minimum income requirement
You need to show you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement if you want to settle in 5 years as a partner.
If you don’t meet the requirement, you may be able to settle in 10 years.
When you don’t need to meet the income requirement
You may be able to settle in 5 years without meeting the minimum income requirement if either:
you’re applying as a parent
you get certain benefits, for example Disability Living Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.
You need to show you and your family have enough money to adequately support and accommodate yourselves without relying on public funds. The caseworker considers your income and housing costs.
Here at AM Law Solicitors, we will go through the entire process for you, and tell you exactly what you need to provide. If you want to apply for any type of Visa for the UK, please contact us today. Give us a call on 0115 845 6583.
This article was originally published on the GOV.UK website - https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income
