The UK spouse visa is granted by the Home Office for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months. Once this period is over, you will need to extend your visa. The critical thing to remember is that you must apply to extend for a spouse visa extension before it expires, however, you can only apply for an extension once you have held your visa for 2.5 years.
The financial requirements for UK partner visas are mandatory. Failing to meet them can cause you trouble and lead to the UK spouse visa rejection as well
When applying for a spouse visa extension, you will be required to evidence that you can meet the financial requirement. You will also need to prove that you and your partner or spouse have a combined income of £18,600 annually or cash savings of £62,500.
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The basic financial requirements that you need to evidence for an extension are as follows:
- The partners or spouse to show a combined income of at least £18,600 in the UK
- If the applicant has a child, the minimum income threshold becomes £22,400
- The threshold further increases to £2,400 for each additional child the applicant shows.
The financial income can be met through various other means, including:
- Income from employment or self-employment
- Savings over £16,000
- Maternity allowances
- Access to public funds in the UK
- Bereavement benefits
- State and private sessions
- Maternity allowances
Financial income If you have children
If you have dependent children as part of the UK spouse visa application, there are additional charges which you must bear in mind. For the first child, you must have an extra £3,800 as annual income, and for each additional child, you must have £2,400.
For example,
- If you have no children – £18,600
- If you have 1 child – £22,400
- If you have 2 children – £24,800
- If you show 3 children – £27,200
Some exemptions apply in financial requirements
Although the financial requirements are a critical part of the Uk spouse visa extension applications, there are a few individuals who may not need to meet the above financial requirements if they want to stay in the UK.
If your partner has the following benefits in the UK:
- Carer’s AllowanceDisability Living Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Police Injury Pension
- Personal Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under War Pensions Scheme
- Attendance Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit
- Independence Payment within Armed Forces
- Guaranteed Income Payment under Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Conclusion: While it is imperative to fulfill the above financial requirements, the spouses must also consider the case of children as dependents in their spouse visa extension application. There should be no casual approach taken while presenting the case.
You may need to be continuously abreast with the UK immigration news and updates and must consult expert UK immigration lawyer advice as and when needed. A Y & J Solicitors have some of the best immigration lawyers. They provide tailor-made solutions to each client’s unique problem.
