Minimum Income Requirements for Dependent Visas

Dependent visas allow family members - such as partners, spouses and children - to join or remain with a main visa holder in the UK. A key element of many dependent visa applications is the minimum income or maintenance requirement. This ensures that the main applicant or sponsor can support dependants without recourse to public funds and that the family can settle in the UK with financial stability. This article explains the current financial tests, how income and savings can be used to meet them, differences between visa routes, exemptions, and practical considerations for applicants and sponsors in England and Wales. All information is based on up‑to‑date UK Home Office guidance and verified legal sources.

1. The Purpose of Minimum Income and Maintenance Requirements

The UK immigration system uses financial requirements to reduce the likelihood that dependants will need public support. The rules vary significantly according to the type of visa route under which dependants are applying. For family and spouse visas (Appendix FM), sponsors must meet a minimum income requirement (MIR). For work and study dependent visas, applicants must usually show maintenance funds held in savings or confirmed by a sponsor.

2. Minimum Income Requirement on Family and Spouse Visas

Minimum Salary Threshold

For family and spouse visas (including dependants joining a British citizen, settled person or someone with limited leave), the current MIR is £29,000 per year gross income for a sponsor. This threshold is applicable for applications made on or after 11 April 2024.

The MIR is assessed on the combined income of you and your partner if applying together. Income can come from salaries, self‑employment profits, pensions or certain benefits (where allowed). Where the sponsor receives specified disability or carer's benefits, a different adequate maintenance test may apply instead of the MIR.

Dependant Children and Additional Amounts

Under the updated rules, the MIR of £29,000 is typically independent of the number of children. Under earlier rules (pre‑11 April 2024), extra amounts were added for children - for example, at least £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each further child - above the base threshold of £18,600. Transitional provisions allow some families to rely on these lower thresholds if their first successful application was made before 11 April 2024.

A sponsor must still demonstrate sufficient funds for any children included in the application unless those children are British or Irish citizens or already settled in the UK.

Adequate Maintenance Alternative

If the sponsor receives specific disability or carer's benefits, they may qualify under the adequate maintenance test instead of the MIR. This test compares the sponsor's net income and living costs with what an equivalent household might receive in income support in the UK.

Savings and Income Combinations

Where employment or self‑employment income alone does not meet the MIR, applicants may use substantial savings held for a specified period. Historically, savings have been calculated using a formula based on the MIR multiplied by 2.5 plus a base amount (£16,000). However, applicants should check current Appendix FM guidance before relying solely on savings, as the Home Office periodically updates evidential requirements.

3. Maintenance Requirements for Work and Study Dependent Visas

Dependent visas linked to visas other than family/spouse categories (for example, work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa or certain study visas) generally do not involve the MIR described above. Instead, the main applicant and dependants must usually demonstrate maintenance funds or rely on certified support from an employer.

Current Maintenance Funds

Dependent visa applications on work or study routes typically require that the applicant or main visa holder has held the following funds for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date:

• £285 for a partner;
• £315 for the first child;
• £200 for each additional child.

For example, if a Skilled Worker visa holder is applying for their partner and one child, they might need around £600 in maintenance funds unless the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their employer certifies maintenance.

Employer‑Certified Maintenance

Where a sponsor (typically an employer on a work visa route) issues a CoS that certifies maintenance and accommodation, the standard maintenance funds may not be required. This certification must explicitly state that the sponsor will support the applicant and dependants financially for a specified period upon arrival.

Student Visa Dependants

For students bringing dependants on a student route (for example, a postgraduate student studying in the UK), higher maintenance requirements apply. These may be calculated on a monthly basis - for example £845 per month for each dependant if studying in London or £680 per month outside London for up to nine months. These amounts must be held for a specified period before application.

4. Evidence and Timing

Qualifying Savings and Evidence

Financial evidence must be verifiable and credible. Bank statements from regulated financial institutions showing the necessary funds for the specified period are standard. In family visa contexts, income evidence often includes payslips, tax documents (P60s), and employer letters; for maintenance funds, bank statements with account details and balance confirmation are typical.

Timing of Holding Funds

For maintenance funds under work and study routes, the requirement generally means that the required funds must be held continuously for at least 28 days, ending within 31 days of the application. For family and spouse visas, financial evidence may need to cover a period that satisfies the MIR or savings criteria at the date of application submission.

5. Exemptions and Special Circumstances

Benefits and Adequate Maintenance Test

If the sponsor receives certain disability or carer's benefits, they may not need to meet the standard MIR and can instead demonstrate adequate maintenance. This test considers the sponsor's benefit levels and living costs rather than a fixed earnings threshold.

Children Already in the UK

Dependants who are British or Irish citizens or have settled status may not count toward the MIR calculation in the same way as non‑settled children, though sponsors still need sufficient financial means for other non‑settled dependants.

Transitional Provisions

Individuals whose first family visa was granted under the pre‑11 April 2024 MIR of £18,600 (plus child amounts) may qualify under the transitional financial requirements in some extension or settlement applications. Applicants should provide evidence of their initial visa date to rely on transitional thresholds.

6. Practical Implications and Risks

Impact of Failing to Meet Requirements

Failure to demonstrate the necessary income or maintenance funds can result in visa refusal. Even where the relationship or dependency is genuine, inability to meet financial criteria is a common basis for refusal in both family and work‑related dependent visa applications.

Planning Ahead for Settlement

For family visa dependants, meeting the MIR at initial application and extensions is important not only for entry but also for eventual settlement (indefinite leave to remain). In cases where the standard threshold is not met, human rights arguments may be possible but require careful legal consideration.

Policy Changes and Reviews

Minimum income thresholds for family visas have been subject to review and commentary, including by the UK government's Migration Advisory Committee, which has highlighted impacts on family unity and human rights considerations. Future policy changes may affect the level of income required.

7. Common Questions

Do Dependant Visas Always Have a Minimum Income Requirement?

Dependent visas tied to family and partner routes involve a formal MIR, currently £29,000 for sponsors. Dependents on work or study visas must usually show maintenance funds rather than meeting an annual income threshold.

Can Savings Alone Satisfy the Financial Requirements?

In many cases, particularly for family visas, substantial savings held for a specified period can be used in place of regular income, though applicants must understand the financial formula and documentation requirements.

Are There Exemptions for Benefits?

Yes. If the sponsor receives specified disability or carer's benefits, they may meet the adequate maintenance test instead of the standard MIR.

Key Takeaways

Minimum income and maintenance requirements are central to the UK dependent visa system. For family and spouse routes, sponsors generally must demonstrate a gross annual income of at least £29,000 or meet an adequate maintenance test. For work and study dependants, applicants must typically show maintenance funds held over at least 28 days unless employer‑certified maintenance applies. Understanding the relevant threshold for each visa category, how income and savings can be evidenced, and the effects of exemptions and transitional provisions is essential for successful applications. Applicants should prepare comprehensive financial evidence and monitor Home Office guidance, as financial requirements evolve over time.