This guide is maintained as a current resource for July 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
A detailed guide to the minimum income threshold for UK family visas, explaining the current £29,000 requirement, transitional rules, income and savings evidence, exemptions and practical steps for meeting financial criteria under the Immigration Rules.
The minimum income threshold is a key financial test in the UK's immigration system for family visas. It applies to people who wish to bring a spouse, partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, or other family members to live in the United Kingdom with them. This threshold exists within the Home Office's Immigration Rules, primarily in Appendix FM and the related Appendix FM-SE evidential requirements. Its purpose is to show that sponsors can support their family without needing public funds or welfare assistance once they are in the UK. Meeting this test is central to many family visa applications, and changes to the income threshold have significant implications for families seeking to remain together lawfully.
What Is the Minimum Income Requirement?
The minimum income requirement (MIR) is the gross annual income that a UK sponsor must demonstrate to support a family visa applicant. For most family visa categories - including spouse, civil partner, and long-term partner visas - the current baseline threshold is:
- £29,000 per year of gross income for new applications made on or after 11 April 2024.
This applies whether the sponsor is applying for a partner alone or with dependent children. In contrast to earlier rules, additional “child add-on” amounts have been removed for new applications, making the threshold a flat figure regardless of the number of children included on the application.
Why the Minimum Income Threshold Exists
The threshold reflects the UK Government's policy that sponsors must have sufficient means to support their family members so that reliance on public funds, such as welfare benefits, is avoided. This aligns with broader immigration objectives to manage economic impact and public expenditure while enabling family unification.
Transitional Rules and Older Applications
Sponsors who first applied under the family visa route before 11 April 2024 may still be subject to the previous lower threshold, which was:
- £18,600 per year for a partner with no children.
- Higher amounts were required where non-British dependent children were included (for example, £22,400 for one child).
These transitional provisions allow those already on the five-year family visa route to extend under the earlier financial test instead of the new £29,000 requirement.
Who Must Meet the Threshold?
The minimum income threshold normally applies when:
- A British citizen or settled resident (the sponsor) seeks to bring a spouse, partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner to the UK under Appendix FM.
- The application is a first-time application for a family visa under the five-year route after 11 April 2024.
The sponsor must show this income year-on-year, supported by documentary evidence such as payslips, bank statements, tax documents or evidence of permitted earnings.
Sources of Income That Count
Income can come from several permitted sources, provided it is regular, documented, and sustainable:
- Employment income - gross wages from a UK employer.
- Self-employment income, verified through tax records and accounting.
- Pension income.
- Non-employment income such as rent or dividends in some cases.
- Cash savings, when used alone or in combination with income to make up the threshold.
The Home Office Appendix FM-SE guidance sets out categories that determine how many months of payslips, tax records or bank statements you must provide under each source.
Using Savings to Meet the Threshold
If a sponsor cannot meet the £29,000 income test through earnings alone, cash savings can be used instead or in combination. The standard calculation for savings is:
- £88,500 held in cash for at least six months prior to application.
This figure is derived by applying a factor (2.5) to the income requirement and adding a baseline amount set by the Home Office guidance.
Savings must be liquid and maintained in a recognised financial institution. Evidence of continuous holding over the required period is essential.
Exemptions and Exceptions
There are limited circumstances in which the standard minimum income threshold does not apply:
- If the sponsor receives certain specified disability or carer benefits, they do not need to meet the MIR.
Instead, an adequate maintenance test showing they can support the family without public funds is applied.
This acknowledges that some benefits recipients may not meet the formal income figure but are still able to support their family sustainably.
Common Issues in Meeting the Minimum Income Requirement
Foreign or Interrupted Income
Income earned outside the UK generally cannot be counted unless the sponsor is already legally employed in the UK and can show that foreign earnings will continue post-relocation. This often requires employment contracts or formal offers confirming continued payment.
Documentation and Evidential Standards
Meeting the financial requirement hinges not only on the amount but also on quality of evidence. Common deficiencies include:
- Insufficient payslip and bank statement evidence over the required period.
- Gaps in income history.
- Poor organisation or failure to match evidence with the category rules in Appendix FM-SE.
Thorough preparation and review of documents are essential to avoid refusal on financial grounds.
Policy Debates and Potential Changes
The MIR has been subject to policy debate and review. Advisory bodies such as the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) have recommended alternative, lower thresholds that might be more accessible while still supporting family unity. However, as of late 2025 the official minimum in the Immigration Rules remains at £29,000 for most new applications.
There were earlier proposals to raise the MIR further - potentially to around £34,500 or £38,700 - but these plans have been suspended and are under review.
Practical Considerations for Applicants
- Start preparing evidence early. Collect and organise payslips, bank statements, tax records and employment letters well ahead of application.
- Check transitional status. If an earlier visa exists under the old threshold, transitional provisions might apply.
- Consider savings. If income alone is insufficient, calculate whether cash savings meet the alternative test.
- Seek guidance where necessary. Complex situations often benefit from professional review before submission.
Key Takeaways
The minimum income threshold for family visas is a central part of UK immigration law intended to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for sponsors bringing family members to live in the UK. For most applications submitted after 11 April 2024, this threshold is £29,000 gross per year, with specific transitional provisions for older cases. Certain exemptions exist, and there are established paths to meet the requirement using income, savings or other permitted sources under Appendix FM and FM-SE. Adequate preparation and clear evidence are key to satisfying the financial test and supporting a successful family visa application.
