When a sponsor is not working, often due to retirement or leaving employment, meeting the UK spouse or partner visa financial requirement may seem difficult. Appendix FM currently sets the minimum income threshold at £29,000 per year.
Many applicants assume this requirement applies only to employment income. This is not correct. The Immigration Rules allow several alternative income sources. This article explains how you can meet the financial requirement even if your sponsor does not work.
2. Appendix FM: using savings, pensions, and rental income
Appendix FM allows applicants to meet the financial requirement through non-employment income. The most common options include cash savings, pension income, and property rental income.
Applicants may rely on one source or combine multiple sources. However, each category has strict eligibility and evidence rules. You must meet these requirements precisely to satisfy the Home Office.
3. Savings as a route to satisfy Appendix FM
If you rely on savings alone, you must hold £88,500 in cash savings. The Immigration Rules calculate this amount as £16,000 plus 2.5 times the minimum income requirement.
If you combine savings with another income source, such as a pension, the required savings amount decreases. In these cases, you must hold £16,000 plus 2.5 times the remaining income shortfall.
You must declare the lawful source of your savings. Acceptable sources include previous earnings, gifts, or the sale of assets. The Home Office allows gifted savings but does not accept borrowed funds.
The savings must remain in cash and be immediately accessible. You must hold them in a regulated bank account that allows withdrawal on demand.
In most cases, the applicant or sponsor must hold the savings for at least six months before applying. If the funds come from a gift, you must receive the gift at least six months before the application. Some exceptions apply, particularly where the savings come from selling property or long-held investments.
4. Using non-liquid assets to meet the Appendix FM financial requirement
The Home Office does not accept non-liquid assets such as shares, bonds, or trust funds as savings. You must first sell these assets and convert them into cash.
If you owned the investments for at least six months before selling them, you do not need to hold the cash for another six months. The Home Office treats the asset as long-held. You must provide clear evidence of ownership and proof of the cash transfer.
If you owned the investments for less than six months, you must hold the cash proceeds for a full six months before applying.
The same rules apply to property sales. The applicant or sponsor must have owned the property at the start of the six-month period before the application date. You may only rely on the net sale proceeds after paying off mortgages, loans, taxes, and fees.
5. Using pension income to meet the UK spouse or partner visa financial requirement
Pension income offers a key solution for non-working sponsors. The rules allow state, occupational, and private pensions to count toward the £29,000 requirement.
Pension income only needs to start at least 28 days before the application date. You do not need to show six months of payments unless you combine the pension with other income categories that require a longer period.
If the pension income meets or exceeds £29,000, it satisfies the requirement on its own. If it falls short, you may combine it with savings or rental income. You must provide confirmation from the pension provider and bank statements showing regular payments.
6. Counting property rental income for Appendix FM
Appendix FM accepts property rental income as a qualifying category. This option works well for sponsors who own investment property or rent out a home while living abroad.
The property must belong to the applicant, the sponsor, or both. The property may be located in the UK or overseas. If a third party co-owns the property, you may only count your share of the income.
The Home Office assesses rental income on a gross basis. It does not deduct mortgage payments or management costs.
You cannot rely on income from lodgers in the sponsor’s main home. However, applicants living abroad may use rental income from a UK property they plan to live in after approval. You must prove ownership, provide tenancy agreements, and show consistent rent payments in bank statements.
7. Combining multiple income sources to meet Appendix FM
Many non-working sponsors rely on more than one income source. Common combinations include pension income with savings or rental income.
The Immigration Rules allow this approach. You must apply the correct calculation formulas and submit the required evidence. Combining income sources often makes meeting the financial requirement achievable.
8. Satisfying Appendix FM when the sponsor is not working
A sponsor does not need to work to meet the spouse or partner visa financial requirement. Appendix FM recognises several lawful income sources beyond employment.
Savings, pensions, and rental income can meet the requirement on their own or together. With proper planning and documentation, many applicants succeed without employment income.
Need professional assistance?
At LawSentis, we provide expert UK immigration advice and representation for spouse and partner visa applications, including complex cases involving non-working sponsors. Our team is IAA-regulated (Level 3) and specialises in ensuring financial evidence fully complies with Appendix FM requirements.
If you need assistance or tailored advice, contact LawSentis today to discuss your situation with a qualified immigration professional.