The £29,000 financial requirement is the current minimum annual gross income a sponsor must usually show for a new UK spouse or partner visa, while pre‑11 April 2024 partner‑route applicants stay on the earlier £18,600-based thresholds. ¹
The UK spouse visa financial requirement sets a minimum income level a British or settled sponsor must normally meet to bring their partner to the UK under Appendix FM. ¹ The figure is now £29,000 for most new partner applications, but people already in the route before 11 April 2024 remain under the earlier £18,600-based rules for future extensions and settlement with the same partner.
What does the £29,000 minimum income requirement mean?
For first-time partner applications made on or after 11 April 2024 under Appendix FM, the minimum income requirement (MIR) is a gross annual income of **£29,000**. This is the level of earnings (before tax) that the sponsor, and in some cases the couple’s combined income, usually must show through acceptable categories of income and evidence in line with caseworker guidance. ¹
Under the post‑April 2024 rules, this £29,000 threshold does *not* increase if children are also applying with the partner. The MIR is a single figure for the family unit, rather than a starting figure plus add‑ons for each child, in contrast with the earlier structure.
How do the transitional £18,600 arrangements work?
Appendix FM includes transitional protection for people who were already on the partner route before 11 April 2024. Where the first successful partner‑route application was decided before that date and the person continues with the *same partner*, later extensions and settlement applications remain subject to the **older £18,600-based minimum income requirement**, rather than £29,000.
In these transitional cases, the threshold can be higher than £18,600 if dependent children are included. The guidance sets specific figures, rising from £18,600 with no children to a **cap at £29,000** where four or more relevant children are part of the application. These amounts apply only to people protected by the pre‑11 April 2024 arrangements and do not affect new applicants who fall under the standard £29,000 requirement.
How do the £29,000 and £18,600 thresholds compare?
The key distinction is between new partner applicants from 11 April 2024 onwards, who must meet £29,000 regardless of children, and those already in the route beforehand, whose thresholds start at £18,600 and increase with children up to £29,000.
| Case type under Appendix FM | Minimum income requirement |
|---|---|
| New partner application (first application on or after 11 April 2024), with or without children | £29,000 gross per year |
| Transitional partner case (first successful partner application before 11 April 2024), no children | £18,600 gross per year |
| Transitional partner case, partner + 1 child | £22,400 gross per year |
| Transitional partner case, partner + 2 children | £24,800 gross per year |
| Transitional partner case, partner + 3 children | £27,200 gross per year |
| Transitional partner case, partner + 4+ children (cap) | £29,000 gross per year |
How is the financial requirement assessed?
The detailed rules on how sponsors can meet the financial requirement are set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and the associated caseworker guidance for family members. ¹ These cover permitted income sources, specified evidence, and how caseworkers decide whether the minimum income requirement is met in each application. ¹
Caseworkers use the Appendix FM framework to assess both new £29,000‑threshold cases and transitional £18,600‑based cases. ¹ Applicants must follow the evidential rules in that guidance to show they reach the relevant threshold for their situation, whether they are entering, extending, or settling on the partner route. ¹
Who has to meet the £29,000 financial requirement for a UK spouse visa?+
The £29,000 minimum income requirement applies to people making a first partner application under Appendix FM on or after 11 April 2024, regardless of whether they have children.
Do children increase the £29,000 minimum income requirement for a spouse visa?+
No. For new partner applications from 11 April 2024, the £29,000 minimum income requirement stays the same even if children are also included in the application.
When can the older £18,600 threshold still be used for a spouse visa?+
The older £18,600 threshold applies in transitional cases where the first successful partner‑route application was made before 11 April 2024 and the applicant continues with the same partner.
How does the financial requirement change for transitional cases with children?+
For protected pre‑11 April 2024 cases, the minimum income starts at £18,600 for a partner with no children and rises through set figures to a maximum of £29,000 for a partner with four or more children.
Where are the spouse visa financial requirement rules set out?+
The financial rules for UK spouse and partner visas are contained in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and explained in Home Office caseworker guidance for family members. ¹
Does the same financial framework apply to extensions and settlement on the partner route?+
Yes. Both new £29,000 cases and transitional £18,600‑based cases are assessed under Appendix FM financial rules when applying for entry clearance, extension, or settlement as a partner. ¹
Use our free tool to explore routes and requirements before you speak to a regulated adviser.
Check your UK partner visa options with SSorted
Last reviewed August 2026