UK Family Visa Financial Requirements 2025

What are the “financial requirements” for UK family visas in 2025?

This article was last updated on April 8th, 2025.

Ready to join your family in the UK? You’ll need to show you have enough money to support everyone. This is called “meeting the financial requirements”, a policy aimed to make sure you can support yourself and your family without access to public funds. You can meet these requirements with income, savings, or both.

Read on to learn the latest changes to these requirements and how they impact your UK Family Visa application.

How Much is the Current Financial Income Requirement for UK Family Visas?

This financial requirement increased to £29,000 in 2024 and remains at this price in 2025. There are currently no plans to increase it further. If changes do occur, we will be updating our website immediately with new information, so do come back and read from time to time. For applicants unsure how to meet the income criteria, see our guide on how to combine income for a UK spouse visa.

Meeting the Financial Requirement by Demonstrating Adequate Savings

The financial requirements of UK Family Visas can also be met by demonstrating adequate savings. The current amount to have in savings if one does not have a salary of £29,000 is £88,500, meaning that one must have this amount in savings to make an application successfully. However, as the new financial thresholds increase, the savings amount will soon increase. Those with limited income may also explore applying for a UK spouse visa on a low income.

Meeting the Financial Requirement by Demonstrating Investments and Pensions

To meet the financial requirements through other means, such as pensions or savings, the UK-based partner must first indicate that these assets meet the savings amounts described above and respectfully sell them into cash during the application process. For further guidance, you can contact our immigration specialists.

Implications of the Revised Income Requirement

The changes in financial requirements pose several implications for those applying for family visas, including spouse visas and civil partner visas. For detailed information on civil partnerships, see our UK Civil Partnership Visa guide.

Impact on Current Applicants

These changes will only affect new applicants. Those who have already applied or who applied before the increase will be assessed under the current income requirements. This also applies to children joining their parents in the UK and those on a fianc(é)e visa applying for a spouse visa.

Existing Visa Holders Pre-April 2024

Individuals who already possess a family visa under the five-year partner route before April 11th, 2024, will continue to be assessed under the old requirement of £18,600. This applies to those extending their stay or seeking settlement in the UK, as well as to children joining or accompanying a parent.

Requirement for Families

Under the new rules, the income requirement remains consistent regardless of the number of children included in the application.

Pre-Spring 2024 Fiancé(e) Visa Holders

If granted a fiancé(e) visa before the new threshold is introduced, the subsequent application for a family visa will be assessed under the existing £18,600 requirement, and you will not be required to meet the requirement of £29,000. Learn more about the process in our article on switching from a fiancé visa to a spouse visa.

Post-Spring 2024 Applicants

All applicants who apply for a family visa under the five-year partner route after introducing the new £29,000 requirement will be subject to this new threshold.

Switching Visa Categories Post-Spring 2024

Individuals in the UK on a different visa category who wish to switch to the five-year partner route after the implementation will also face the £29,000 income requirement.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Applicants

Those currently on a spouse visa applying for ILR are expected to be exempt from the new threshold. For timing and eligibility details, check when you can apply for an ILR.

Visa Application Fee

In addition to meeting the financial requirement, another key aspect an applicant needs to know about is being able to pay the visa application fee, especially if applying from outside the UK. The fee for in-country applications is £1,321, whereas applicants outside the UK pay £1,938. It is very important for the applicant to factor in these increases in their budget when looking to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted application process.

Increased Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is a mandatory fee for most visa applicants that grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). As of January 2024, the IHS fee will be £1,035 for adults, up from the previous £624, and for individuals under the age of 18, the new fee will be £776.

The raised IHS fee is applicable to a broad spectrum of visa categories and reflects the ongoing efforts to balance the needs of the NHS with the influx of immigrants. Most UK visa applicants should also consider this fee and be aware of it.

Adapting to Changes: Dealing with the Evolving Dynamics of UK Family Visa Policies

The decision to set the threshold at £29,000 and then to £34,500 and to £38,700 by early 2025 could potentially limit the accessibility of the visa for numerous applicants. Here are some recommended strategies to minimise the impact of the new regulation:

• Early Application: Couples who foresee difficulties meeting this new requirement are encouraged to consider applying before the implementation date of £34,500 later in 2024. This preemptive step could circumvent the challenges posed by the increased financial threshold.
• Investigating Alternative Routes: For applicants who may find the £34,500 requirement unfeasible and where early application is not an option, exploring UK spouse visa options for self-employed sponsors is critical. The UK’s immigration framework includes provisions for exceptions under certain conditions, presenting possible solutions for those unable to meet the standard financial criteria.
• Professional Advice: Professional advice is highly recommended. Immigration regulations are complex. No two cases are the same. This makes it critical to seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney who is updated with the recent changes in policy.

For guidance in these matters, reaching out to immigration specialists is beneficial. They offer tailored advice and can help navigate through the complexities of UK immigration policies.

The Future of the Financial Requirement for Family Visas: Phased Increase

As stated above, these increases were supposed to be part of a phased plan. However, with the change in government in the UK, the future implementation of this increase is uncertain.

The latest UK immigration policy change is part of the government’s effort to manage legal migration. This change alters the original plan and current rules but brings new challenges and opportunities for those in need of a UK family visa.

For people and families dealing with these changes, staying informed and getting expert advice is important. Talking to a legal expert for the latest UK family visa information is best. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

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Disclaimer

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