Spouse Visa: My Income Is Below £29,000 — Can Savings Make Up the Gap?
Llandora·Updated 2026-10-14
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
Yes. If your income falls short of the £29,000 minimum, savings can cover the gap — or replace income entirely. With no income at all you need £88,500 in savings. With partial income, the formula is £16,000 + (shortfall × 2.5), and the savings must have sat in your account for 6 months without the balance ever dipping below the required level.
The £29,000 rule
Since 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement for a partner visa is £29,000 per year. (Applications made before that date fall under the old £18,600 figure — the date of application decides which applies.)
Savings only: £88,500
No qualifying income at all? Then you need savings of:
£16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5) = £88,500
The 2.5 multiplier is the initial visa length in years — the Home Office wants to see you can support yourselves for the whole grant without public funds.
What counts as income toward the £29,000?
Not every pound counts. The main qualifying sources:
Employment income — salaried or non-salaried, in the UK or (in some categories) abroad. Usually evidenced over 6 months with the same employer, or 12 months if your pay varies.
Self-employment income — counts, but on the basis of a full financial year's accounts, not monthly drawings.
Pension income — state, occupational, or private pensions in either partner's name.
Non-employment income — e.g. rental income from property, which must generally be evidenced over 12 months.
The sponsor (the UK-based partner) is normally the one whose income counts, though some categories allow the applicant's overseas income or a job offer starting in the UK. Each category has its own evidence window — using the wrong one is a classic refusal.
Every extra £1,000 of income cuts the savings requirement by £2,500.
The 6-month rule and the no-dip rule
Two conditions trip people up:
6 months: the savings must have been held for at least 6 months before the application date.
No dip: the balance must not fall below the required amount at any point in those 6 months — one bad week resets the clock.
The money must be in an account in your name (or your partner's), and you must document where it came from. Large unexplained deposits invite scrutiny.
Combining with self-employment income
Employment income plus savings is the straightforward combination. Self-employment income can also count, but the calculation rules are significantly more complex (based on annual accounts rather than monthly payslips) — this is the point where professional advice usually pays for itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my partner's savings instead of mine?
Yes — savings can be in either partner's name or held jointly. What matters is the amount, the 6-month history, and the paper trail.
Does property or investments count as savings?
Generally no — the Home Office counts cash savings. Property equity and most investments don't qualify unless converted to cash and held for the 6 months.
What if my income is £28,500 — just £500 short?
You still need the formula: £16,000 + (£500 × 2.5) = £17,250 in savings, held 6 months. There's no de minimis exception.
Will the threshold rise again?
The government has signalled future increases but no confirmed dates or figures at the time of writing — check GOV.UK before applying, not a forum post from last year.
Sources
GOV.UK, prove your income (partner visa): https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income-partner
GOV.UK, UK family visa overview: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
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