Income & Financial Requirements: Family Routes & Variations

Income rules for family routes (overview)

The financial requirement for most spouse and partner routes exists to ensure the sponsor can support the applicant without recourse to public funds. The typical elements are a minimum gross income threshold, acceptable savings, and documentary proof such as payslips and P60s. Thresholds differ if you have non-British children or if you rely on savings rather than income.

Typical thresholds and variants

• Main route (example): the typical minimum income is the published baseline. The historic common figure was £18,600; check the official figures for the route and year you apply.
• With dependent children: higher thresholds apply if you sponsor a child, with additional amounts for each dependant.
• Savings route: large cash savings can substitute for income. There is a formula that converts savings into an equivalent income figure; check the official guidance for the exact calculation.

Common documentation

• Payslips covering the relevant period (usually 6 to 12 months, depending on the route).
• P60 year-end certificates.
• Employment contracts and employer confirmation letters on company letterhead.
• Bank statements evidencing salary credits or declared savings.
• For self-employed applicants: SA302 tax calculations and business records.

One authoritative reference

Always verify the exact numerical thresholds and acceptable evidence on GOV.UK. The government guidance sets out the financial requirement rules with examples: GOV.UK partner and family visa guidance (financial requirements).

Practical checklist to prepare evidence

1. Collect payslips and a covering employer letter confirming salary, hours and length of employment.
2. Obtain P60s for the relevant tax years.
3. If relying on savings, prepare an itemised savings statement and calculate the equivalent income using the official formula.
4. For any irregular income (commission, bonuses), include explanatory notes and payroll summaries.

Common pitfalls

• Relying on bank statements alone, without employer confirmation, can prompt requests for further evidence.
• Failing to reconcile payslips and bank credits (any differences should be explained in a cover note).
• Not accounting for pension contributions or irregular overtime that affect the gross and net comparison.

Related guides

• Absence Calculator Guide: counting absences & the 180-day test
• Continuous Residence Guide: 5 and 10 year rules explained
• Settlement Route Eligibility Guide: choose the right pathway

FAQs

Skilled Worker salary thresholds and SOC codes

To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Skilled Worker, you must meet the salary requirements set by the Home Office. These rules changed substantially in April 2024, raising the standard minimum salary threshold to £38,700 a year. From 22 July 2025 the threshold rose again, to £41,700 a year.

Your salary must also meet the “going rate” for your specific job, defined by its SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code. Going rates are set at the 50th percentile (median) of UK earnings for that role, so even if you earn £40,000 you could be refused if the going rate for your SOC code is £45,000. New entrants (such as recent graduates switching from a Student visa) have a lower threshold of £33,400, but this is also subject to the going rate comparison.

The per-pay-period compliance rule

A critical and highly scrutinized update that took effect on 8 April 2026 is the per-pay-period salary compliance rule. Previously the Home Office assessed salary compliance on an annual basis, which allowed employers to average earnings across the year.

Under the new rule, you must meet the minimum salary threshold in every single pay period (weekly or monthly, for example) as shown on your payslips. If your base salary falls below the minimum in a single month, whether through unpaid leave, sickness or a payroll error, you will be considered non-compliant, and this can break your continuous residence history for ILR. Bonuses, overtime and commission are generally not counted toward the core threshold unless they are guaranteed and paid regularly.

Spouse visa and family route financial requirements

If you are applying for ILR under the 5-year partner (spouse) route, you must meet the financial requirement. This was increased to £29,000 in early 2024, with further rises planned.

You can meet the financial requirement through:

• Salaried or non-salaried employment of the applicant and/or partner.
• Self-employment income as a sole trader or director of a limited company.
• Cash savings held in a regulated bank account for at least 6 months (savings must exceed £16,000, and the exact amount needed depends on your salary gap).
• Pension income or non-employment income, such as rental income from property.

Documentary proof of income

Meeting the financial requirement is only part of the task; the documentary evidence must also be complete and consistent. For salaried employment, the Home Office requires:

• Payslips: 6 months of consecutive payslips (or 12 months if you have been with your employer for less than 6 months or have variable income).
• Bank statements: personal bank statements for the same period, showing net salary deposits that match the payslips exactly.
• Employer letter: an official letter on company letterhead confirming your job title, salary and employment type, and that your pay is genuine and meets the SOC code minimum.

Financial compliance checklist

Before submitting, carry out these financial checks:

• Verify your SOC code: check your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to find your SOC code and confirm your salary exceeds the going rate in force in September 2026.
• Audit your payslips: check every payslip from the last 6 to 12 months to verify the gross pay meets the per-pay-period minimum.
• Match deposits: confirm the bank statement deposit amounts match the net pay on your payslips to the penny.
• Check the signature: ensure the employer letter is signed, dated within 28 days of your submission, and includes contact details.
• Explain the source of savings: if using cash savings, prepare a declaration explaining where the funds came from (a house sale or accumulated savings, for example).