Services / Settlement Requirements
For sponsors and applicants who need to meet partner-route income and savings rules under the April 2024 framework.
The source guidance states that this framework applies to entry-clearance applications submitted from 11 April 2024.
Applicants already in the UK on the earlier financial framework are assessed under those previous rules.
Applications submitted and paid before 11 April 2024 remain on the requirements in force at the date of application.
The stated minimum gross sponsor income is GBP 29,000 for sponsoring a wife, partner, or fiancee.
The source text also states that no additional income amount is required for additional children in this specific framework.
Cash savings above GBP 16,000 can be used to meet an income shortfall, but the source text states this savings-shortfall method does not apply if the sponsor is self-employed.
For self-employed sponsors, compliance is based on declared taxable profit meeting the threshold in the last financial year, or average profit across the last two financial-year end dates.
The source formula uses: A (required income), B (income), C (shortfall), D (2.5 years for 30 months leave), E (required extra savings), and F (GBP 16,000 base savings figure).
Formula structure: A minus B equals C; C multiplied by 2.5 equals E; E plus 16,000 gives total savings required.
Example from source: with no income, 29,000 x 2.5 + 16,000 = 88,500 total savings.
Example from source: with 15,000 income, shortfall 14,000 x 2.5 + 16,000 = 51,000 total savings.
The financial requirement is assessed at initial visa stage, again at 30-month Further Leave to Remain stage, and again at Indefinite Leave to Remain stage.
The source text states that if relying solely on cash savings at ILR stage, one-year support basis gives a lower savings figure, cited as GBP 45,000 held for at least six months.
Savings can be combined between sponsor and applicant, but must not be loan funds and must be held for at least six months in an approved financial institution.
Third-party financial support (for example from parents) is generally not accepted.
A job offer to the applicant is not counted toward meeting the financial requirement.
Third-party accommodation support (for example living with parents) is stated as permissible.
If the sponsor has not worked with the same employer for at least six months at required income level, broader earnings evidence over at least one year may be required.
The source text states that sponsors receiving specified disability/carer-linked benefits may be exempt from the standard financial threshold, but still need to show adequate support at minimum income-support level.
It also notes financial thresholds are expected to increase periodically.
Where suitability, relationship, financial or English requirements are not met, refusal is expected unless a policy-exception route applies.
The stated exception contexts include parent-of-child cases (child under 18 in the UK, British or seven years' UK residence, and unreasonable to expect departure) and cases with insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing outside the UK.
The source guidance separately notes that tourist-visa funding assessment is different and focuses on adequate funds for the visit duration.
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