Get advice on the Minimum Income Requirement for a family visa

Minimum Income Requirement for a family visa: advice from a trusted legal advisor

Applying for a family visa to the United Kingdom requires mandatory verification of the applicant's or sponsor's compliance with the financial requirements set by the Home Office. These requirements are known as the Minimum Income Requirement and are one of the most common reasons for visa refusal.

The Consultant legal marketplace provides professional assistance in assessing income, preparing financial documents and explaining exceptions for certain categories of applicants. We will help you to correctly prepare the evidence base to avoid the risk of refusal due to incomplete or incorrectly confirmed financial support.

What is the minimum income required for a family visa in the United Kingdom?

According to the official requirements of the Home Office, the basic minimum income for obtaining a family visa (e.g. for a partner/spouse) from 2024 is:

• £29,000 per year – for the main applicant without children;
• 
  an additional £3,800 for the first child (who is not a British citizen);
• 
  an additional £2,400 for each subsequent child.

We explain what types of income are recognised by the immigration service (salary, self-employment, savings, rental income, etc.) and help you understand how to prove that you meet the Minimum Income Requirement in your situation.

How to prove income for a family visa?

Proof of income must be accurate, complete and comply with all formal criteria. Consultant lawyers:

• check the format and content of documents (pay slips, P60, bank statements, contracts, tax returns);
• 
  calculate the required amount of income, taking into account the applicant's category and the presence of children;
• 
  help prepare a package of financial documents for submitting a family visa in accordance with the latest UKVI instructions;
• 
  explain when a combination of income sources (e.g. salary and savings) can be used;
• 
  prepare a written explanation of income if the circumstances are complex or non-standard.

Who can be exempt from the minimum income requirement?

There are exceptions when the income requirements for a family visa in the United Kingdom may be reduced or not applied. For example:

• if the sponsor receives certain state benefits (Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, etc.);
• 
  in cases where refusal would violate the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights;
• 
  if the children are UK citizens.

We assess your situation for grounds for such exceptions and provide legal support to justify them in your application.