Can I use my partner's income for the UK spouse visa?
Whether your partner's overseas income counts towards the £29,000 Minimum Income Requirement — and how Category A and Category B financial routes work for UK spouse visa applicants.
Key takeaways
- 01The financial requirement is usually met by the UK sponsor (or joint sponsor), not the applicant's overseas salary.
- 02Category A applies when the sponsor has been in salaried UK employment for at least 6 months.
- 03Category B covers sponsors starting a new UK job or returning to the UK — with different evidence rules.
- 04Cash savings can supplement or replace income in some cases.
- 05Combining income sources is possible but each source has specific evidence requirements.
Whose income counts?
For most UK spouse and partner visa applications, the financial requirement is met by the person sponsoring the application — the British citizen, settled person, or person with refugee/humanitarian protection in the UK.
The applicant's income from outside the UK generally does not count towards the £29,000 Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). This surprises many couples where the non-UK partner is the higher earner.
The rules for whose income counts, and how, are set out at gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income.
Category A: established UK employment
Category A applies when the sponsor:
- Is in salaried employment in the UK
- Has been with their current employer for at least 6 months
- Meets the income threshold from that employment
Evidence typically includes:
- 6 months of payslips
- 6 months of bank statements showing salary credits
- An employer letter on company letterhead
If your sponsor has been in UK employment for 6+ months and earns at or above the MIR, Category A is usually the simplest route.
Category B: new job or returning to the UK
Category B covers situations where the sponsor:
- Has a confirmed job offer in the UK but has not yet started
- Has returned to the UK after working abroad
- Has been in UK employment for less than 6 months
The evidence rules are different — often requiring a combination of overseas income history and the confirmed UK job offer. This is one of the most common areas where applications fail due to incorrect evidence.
Can you combine income and savings?
Yes. Many applicants combine:
- Salaried income (below the full threshold) plus cash savings
- Self-employment income plus savings
- Income from permitted non-employment sources plus savings
Each source has its own evidence rules. The combination formula is set out on gov.uk — and the maths must be exact.
What about joint sponsors?
In some cases, a joint sponsor (such as a parent) can contribute their income towards the requirement. Joint sponsorship has its own rules and evidence requirements. Check gov.uk for eligibility and limits.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the applicant's overseas salary counts towards the MIR
- Using Category A evidence when Category B rules apply
- Payslips that do not match bank statement credits
- Savings that have not been held for the full 6-month period
Use VisaEvo's financial calculator to check your figures against the published threshold, then read our full financial requirement guide for the evidence checklist.
Related guide
Full financial requirement guideDisclaimer: VisaEvo is self-service software, not a law firm or OISC-regulated adviser. This article is based on publicly available gov.uk guidance. Always confirm current rules on gov.uk before applying. See our editorial policy and source methodology.
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