How to Combine Different Income Sources for Your UK Spouse Visa

How to Combine Different Income Sources for Your UK Spouse Visa Application

The Home Office requires British or settled partners seeking to bring their foreign partners to the UK to meet a financial requirement. While some applicants can rely on a single income stream—like salaried employment—many will need to combine different income sources to meet the requirement. Currently the minimum income threshold stands at £29,000.

In this article, we explain how you can do just that, outlining the rules, combinations allowed under the Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE, and how to present a compliant application.

Why Combine Different Income Sources for Your UK Spouse Visa?

There are several reasons why you might need to combine different income sources for you UK Spouse Visa. It may be that your income from salaried income is less than £29,000 or that you have a part-time job or do freelance gigs with irregular income. In some cases, you might have some savings, and perhaps receive rental income.

The Home Office recognises this, which is why the Immigration Rules provide for combining certain income sources to meet the financial requirement. However, only specific categories are allow and with strict evidentiary requirements.

By strategically combining your income, you can:

• Qualify for a spouse visa even with variable income
• Make use of cash savings to cover income shortfalls
• Leverage income from different employment types

However, understanding the rules of combination is essential to avoid refusal due to insufficient or misrepresented evidence.

🔗 Read the Home Office guidance on financial requirements for family visas

The Categories of Income Under Appendix FM-SE

The Home Office separates different income sources into several categories, and only specific categories can be combined to meet the financial requirement for the UK Spouse Visa. The categories include:

• Category A: Salaried employment (at least 6 months with current employer)
• Category B: Salaried employment (less than 6 months or multiple employers)
• Category C: Non-employment income (e.g., rental income, dividends)
• Category D: Cash savings above £16,000
• Category E: Pension income
• Category F & G: Self-employment income (F: one financial year, G: average of two years)

🔗 UK Government: Financial requirement for UK Spouse Visa

Which Income Sources Can Be Combined?

According to Appendix FM-SE, the following combinations are allowed:

Employment (Category A or B) + Non-Employment Income (Category C)

If you’re employed and also receive rental income or dividends, you can combine both to meet the financial threshold.

Example:

If you earn £20,000 from employment and £9,000 from rental income. Total: £29,000 — Meets the requirement

Employment (Category A or B) + Savings (Category D)

If your income falls short, you can use cash savings to bridge the gap. The formula used is:

£16,000 + (2.5 x income shortfall) = Required savings amount

Example:

• You earn £24,000, short by £5,000
• You need: £16,000 + (2.5 x £5,000) = £28,500 in savings
• Combine income and savings to meet the requirement

Non-Employment Income (Category C) + Savings (Category D)

If you rely on rental income or dividends and fall short of £29,000, cash savings can make up the difference using the same formula.

🔗 Read our article on using savings to meet the financial requirement

Self-Employment Income (Category F or G) + Savings (Category D)

If your self-employment income does not meet the threshold, savings can again be used to fill the gap. However, you must have completed the relevant tax year(s) and provide all required evidence such as:

• SA302 forms
• HMRC year overviews
• Audited/unaudited accounts
• Business bank statements

🔗 Read our article on using self-employment to meet the financial requirement

Income Sources That Cannot Be Combined

Some combinations are not allowed, and misunderstanding these rules can lead to application refusal.

Category A + Category F

You cannot combine employment income with self-employment income in the same 12-month period to meet the financial requirement. You must rely entirely on one or the other.

Future Income or Job Offers

You cannot use future or expected income unless you are applying from outside the UK and returning to work with a confirmed job offer, in which case different rules apply.

Evidence You Must Provide

Each income source has a distinct set of evidentiary requirements. Here’s what you’ll typically need:

For Employment (Category A or B):

• 6 months’ payslips
• Corresponding bank statements
• Employment letter confirming salary, role, and duration

For Non-Employment Income (Category C):

• Title deed or tenancy agreement (for rental income)
• Dividend vouchers and company accounts (for investments)
• Evidence showing the income is ongoing

For Savings (Category D):

• Bank statements showing funds held for at least 6 consecutive months
• Proof of source of funds (e.g., sale of property, inheritance)

For Self-Employment (Category F or G):

• Tax returns (SA302)
• HMRC year overviews
• Business and personal bank statements
• Invoices and receipts (if applicable)

Tips for Combining Income Sources Successfully

• Plan Ahead – Make sure you understand which categories your income falls under and how the Home Office treats combinations. As described above, not all income categories can be combined for the purpose of the UK Spouse visa
• Keep Meticulous Records – Inconsistent or missing documents can lead to refusals. Keeping a clean paper trail and labelling your supporting documents clearly, will make it easier for your application to be reviewed and none of your documents to be missed.
• Check Timing – Ensure all evidence covers the same 12-month period where required, especially when combining different categories.
• Use an Income Summary Sheet – Create a spreadsheet that lays out your total income from each source, how it adds up to meet the requirement, and cross-reference this with the provided documents.

When to Consider Combining Income Sources

Combining different sources may be ideal in the following scenarios:

• You recently changed jobs and don’t have six months of payslips
• Your main employment doesn’t meet the threshold, but you have savings
• You’re self-employed and have additional non-employment income
• You live off rental income or dividends and need to supplement it with savings

In conclusion

The Home Office allows applicants to combine different income sources for your UK Spouse Visa application. Where the sponsor does not meet the financial requirement through salaried employment, this can be a powerful alternative. However, it demands a deep understanding of the rules, careful planning and flawless documentation.

With proper planning, expert advice, and a clear presentation of your income, you can imrove your chances of success and bring your partner to the UK with confidence.