The UK family visa is an umbrella category. This covers visas based on various types of relationships. People outside the UK apply for a UK family visa based on close family relationships with a person in the UK who is either a British citizen or has settled status in the UK. Closed relatives include spouse/civil partner, parent, son, and daughter. You can apply for a family visa if you have a close relative in the UK and you want to join them. The various visas that fall under the UK family category include
Income requirements for a UK family visa mean you and/or your relative in the UK (also known as the sponsor) must earn a minimum income to support yourself and your family members in the UK for the entire duration of your stay here. The income requirements vary depending on the type of relationship based on which you are applying. Also, the income requirement is subject to change. Hence, you should check the latest update on income requirements on gov.uk before applying for a UK family visa.
A UK spouse or UK civil partner visa means you are married to or in a civil partnership with either a British citizen or someone who has settled status, i.e., indefinite leave to remain in the UK. You can apply for a UK spouse or civil partner visa from outside the UK or switch to this visa if you are already in the UK on another visa.
Income Requirement - The current minimum annual income requirement for a UK spouse visa is at least £29,000.
If you are applying from outside the UK, the income of your UK partner can only be taken into account to meet the minimum income requirement. However, if you are applying to switch to this visa (except from a UK fiancé visa) you can combine your income with your partner’s income to meet the income threshold.
If your combined income is less than £29,000, you can cover the remaining amount through the combined cash savings. In such a scenario, your partner’s and/or your combined savings must be at least £16,000 + shortfall x 2.5, for example if you earn £28000 then you will need savings of £16000 + £2500 = £18500. Again, remember that if you are applying from outside the UK, the savings of your UK partner can only be taken into account.
You can also rely on cash savings alone if there is no income. In such a scenario, your partner’s and your combined savings must be at least £88,500.
If Your Partner is Getting Disability or Carer’s Benefits - You do not need to meet a minimum income requirement if your partner is a recipient of one of the following benefits:
You need to show that you will be able to meet the maintenance and accommodation requirement, which means after your net income including any benefits must be above the amount of income support level for the family of same size.
You can apply as a parent under the UK family visa category to live in the UK to care for your child.
Your child must either be under 18 when you apply or have been under 18 when you were first granted leave.
Your child must live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education, for example, at boarding school or university. The child must also not be married or in a civil partnership. You need to have sole or shared responsibility for your child.
Income Requirement—Unlike the Spouse or Partner Visa, there is no minimum income threshold for a UK parent visa. The financial requirements for people applying as parents need to meet the maintenance and accommodation requirement.
You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK. You may not need to get a family visa if either of your parents has a settlement, i.e., indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence.
You may apply for private life in the UK if your parent cannot include you in their form and you are in the UK.
If your parent has settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS, you may be able to apply to the free EUSS.
Income Requirement—One of your parents may be applying or already has a spouse or civil partner visa. Your parent can include you in their form as a dependent child, or you may apply later to join both your parents in the UK. If your parent is applying for a spouse visa, your parent's combined income must be at least £29,000 per year. If you’re applying later as a child to join your parents, you will need to prove the income of the parent (or parents) you are joining.
You must prove that you need long-term care due to age, illness, or disability from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son, or daughter who is living permanently in the UK. You can apply for an adult dependent relative visa only from outside the UK unless you are applying for an extension.
Income Requirement - Your relative in the UK must sponsor you. They must be able to support you, themself, and other family members (if any) in the UK.
To determine whether your sponsor can meet the income requirement, a calculation is used. In this calculation, the sponsor’s income is compared with the equivalent income of a similar UK- based family or individual receiving state benefits. This calculation ensures that your sponsor has the financial capability to support you financially without relying on public funds. If you receive public funds during your stay, the UK government may seek to recover those funds from your relative (sponsor).
The financial assessment uses a formula: A – B ≥ C, where
A is the sponsor’s weekly net income (after tax and National Insurance deductions).
B is the weekly housing costs (expenses related to accommodation).
C is the amount of income support a British family of the same size would receive.
Meeting the income requirement is a key requirement for a UK family visa. We can help you determine how you and your relative (sponsor) can meet the minimum income requirement. As you can see, depending on the relationship on which you are applying for the UK family visa, the income requirements vary. Hence, we assist you based on an assessment of your situation. We also help you in understanding the sources of income that can be taken into account.
For more details and assistance, you can contact us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261.
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