UK partner visa income requirement: what you need to know 2026

If you are applying for a UK partner or spouse visa, you will usually need to meet the financial requirements. For most people, this means showing a minimum level of annual income. The rules changed in April 2024, so the amount you need depends on when your first application was made. Understanding which rules apply to you is an important first step before you make your application.

What is the income requirement for a UK partner visa?

For those applying as a partner under Appendix FM for the first time, the minimum income requirement is now £29,000 per year.

The income requirement is designed to show that you and your family can support yourselves in the UK without relying on public funds. You must also show that the income comes from an accepted source and provide the required documents to prove it.

Many applicants meet the requirement using income from employment. However, employment is not the only option. It is also possible to use other sources, such as self-employment income or savings. We explain these alternative ways of meeting the financial requirement in our guide to the different options available for a UK partner visa.

Does the £29,000 or £18,600 partner visa income requirement apply to me?

The income requirement you have to meet also depends on when you first applied for your UK partner visa.

If you submitted your first partner visa application before 11 April 2024 and were granted a visa, you can continue to meet the £18,600 income requirement when you apply to extend your visa or for indefinite leave to remain even after 11 April 2024. These are known as the transitional financial requirements. 

If your first application for a UK partner visa was submitted on or after 11 April 2024, you will usually need to meet the £29,000 income requirement. 

It is important to check which rules apply to you before submitting your application, as using the wrong rules to meet the financial requirement could lead to delays or a refusal.

Does the UK partner visa income requirement increase if we have children?

The answer depends on which rules apply to your application.

If you are relying on the £18,600 transitional financial requirement (i.e. your application was submitted before 11 April 2024), you will have to show additional income for your dependent children:

• £3,800 for your first child.
• £2,400 for each additional child.

However, if the £29,000 income requirement applies to your application, having dependent children does not increase the amount of income you need to show.

Can my partner’s income count towards the UK partner visa income requirement?

It depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you are applying for your first partner visa from outside the UK, only your UK-based partner’s income can be used to meet the financial requirement.

For example, if you are living and working overseas before moving to the UK through the partner visa route, you will not be able to meet the financial requirements for your application using your overseas salary. You will need to use your partner’s income to do so. 

If you are applying from inside the UK, the rules are more flexible. In many cases, your income and your partner’s income can be combined to meet the UK partner visa income requirement.

What if my partner receives public benefits?

You can meet the financial requirements if your UK-based partner receives certain public benefits. In that case, you will instead need to show that your family can be adequately maintained and accommodated without relying on additional public funds.

This means providing evidence that:

• your household has enough money to cover everyday living costs;
• you have suitable accommodation for everyone living in your household; and
• your family will not need additional public funds to support themselves.

Unlike the standard UK partner visa income requirement, there is no fixed income figure that automatically meets this test. Each application is assessed based on the family’s individual circumstances.

These applications can be more complicated because the method to calculate the income and evidence required is different. If you receive public benefits, we recommend getting legal advice before you apply.

Need help meeting the UK partner visa income requirement?

Although the financial requirements may appear straightforward, details such as what income can be counted, which threshold applies to your circumstances, and what documents you need to provide can have a significant impact on your application.

If you are unsure whether you meet the UK partner visa income requirement, our immigration lawyers can help you understand the rules and prepare the correct supporting evidence for your partner visa application.