Decoding the UK’s New £29,000 Spouse Visa Income Threshold: A Guide for Families in 2025

 

The United Kingdom’s latest spouse visa rules, effective from April 11, 2024, have reshaped the path to family reunification. Applicants must now meet a flat income threshold of £29,000 per year, regardless of whether they have dependent children. This significant policy shift replaces the former tiered system that allowed higher allowances for applicants with children. While this new requirement streamlines the process in theory, it poses a challenge for families in countries like India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, where average salaries may not align with the UK’s financial standards.

Nonetheless, the rules still offer some flexibility. Applicants can combine multiple sources of income to meet the threshold. Salaried employment, self-employment, dividends, rental income, pensions, or maintenance payments are all acceptable, provided they are supported by appropriate documentation. For instance, salaried employees must provide payslips and bank statements, while self-employed individuals can use tax returns such as SA302 forms. This multi-income approach gives families more options when structuring their application—especially when a single income stream isn’t sufficient.

For applicants who fall short on income, the Home Office permits the use of savings to make up the difference. A savings-only route requires holding at least £88,500 for six months, but if combining savings and income, a formula determines the shortfall coverage: (Total savings - £16,000) ÷ 2.5. For example, a family earning £20,000 annually would need around £38,500 in savings to meet the income threshold. It’s crucial that this amount is held continuously for six months and is well-documented, as financial evidence is heavily scrutinized during the application process.

There are exceptions for certain applicants. UK sponsors who receive qualifying disability or carer-related benefits—such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Carer’s Allowance—are exempt from meeting the £29,000 income requirement. Instead, they must satisfy what’s known as the “adequate maintenance test,” which considers basic living costs and is generally easier to pass. Additionally, those whose applications fall under exceptional circumstances—such as cases involving children where visa refusal might breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights—may still succeed despite not meeting financial requirements. However, such applications must be backed by strong evidence and are reviewed on a discretionary basis.

Although a proposed increase to £34,500 was previously announced, it has been paused following the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) review, which suggested revisiting the income requirement. There is ongoing public debate about whether the threshold should be adjusted to a more accessible range—possibly between £23,000 and £25,000. For now, the £29,000 limit remains in place. Applicants should stay up to date with evolving UK immigration policy to ensure that their plans align with current requirements. With the right documentation, strategic financial planning, and perhaps legal guidance where needed, families can still achieve their UK goals despite the policy’s rigidity.