Cash savings can be used to meet all or part of the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa, Civil Partner Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé Visa or Proposed Civil Partner Visa under Appendix FM. The calculation depends on the income threshold that applies and whether the application is for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement.

For a new partner-route application subject to the £29,000 minimum income requirement, £88,500 in qualifying cash savings can meet the requirement without other income at the entry-clearance or limited-leave stage. At settlement, the equivalent savings-only figure is £45,000.

1. Which Financial Threshold Applies?

A person making their first successful application on the five-year partner route on or after 11 April 2024 will normally be subject to a £29,000 minimum income requirement. The same threshold normally applies where a person is applying to remain with a new partner.

Transitional rules can preserve the earlier £18,600 threshold, plus any relevant child element, for a person who first applied before 11 April 2024, was granted on the five-year partner route (including as a fiancé  or proposed civil partner) and is applying with the same partner while still in that route. For applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the transitional total is capped at £29,000.

The minimum income formula does not apply in the same way where the sponsor receives a specified benefit or allowance.. Those applications are normally assessed under the adequate maintenance test instead.

2. How Much Cash Savings Is Required?

For entry clearance, initial permission to stay and further permission to stay, only savings above £16,000 are converted into a contribution towards the annual requirement. The formula is:

£16,000 + (annual income shortfall × 2.5) = required cash savings

If the £29,000 threshold applies and no permitted income is relied upon, the calculation is £16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5), producing a savings requirement of £88,500.

At settlement as a partner, the 2.5 multiplier is disregarded. The formula is:

£16,000 + annual income shortfall = required cash savings for settlement

If the £29,000 threshold applies and no income is relied upon, £45,000 is required. For a transitional £18,600 case with no child element, the corresponding figures are £62,500 for limited leave and £34,600 for settlement.

3. Can Cash Savings Be Combined With Income?

Yes. Cash savings can be combined with salaried or non-salaried employment under Category A, the current-income limb of Category B, non-employment income under Category C and pension income under Category E.

Cash savings cannot be combined with the 12-month historic-earnings limb of Category B, self-employment income under Category F or income as a director or employee of a specified limited company under Category G.

For example, £50,000 in qualifying savings contributes £13,600 towards the annual requirement at the limited-leave stage: (£50,000 – £16,000) ÷ 2.5. If the £29,000 threshold applies, the remaining £15,400 must be met by a permitted income source.

4. Who Can Hold the Savings?

The savings must be held by the applicant, their partner or both jointly and be under their control. A  gift from a relative or another person can count once the money belongs to the applicant or partner and the qualifying balance has been held for the required six months.

Borrowed money and overdraft facilities cannot be counted. A promise that a third party will provide money in future is not ordinary Category D cash savings, although third-party support may be considered separately in exceptional Article 8 circumstances.

5. Must the Savings Be Held for Six Months?

Ordinarily, yes. Personal bank statements must show that at least the amount relied upon was held throughout the six months immediately before the application. If the balance fluctuates, the application should be calculated by reference to the lowest qualifying balance during that period.

There are specific exceptions where funds were held as qualifying investments or as property before being converted into cash. In those cases, the earlier ownership period can count towards the six months if the required value, ownership, control and transfer are properly evidenced. There are separate specified evidence requirements. 

6. Which Bank and Savings Accounts Qualify?

Savings may be held in a current, deposit or savings account, or in an investment or pension savings account that operates as an immediately accessible cash account. The account must be provided by a financial institution regulated in the country where it operates, and the money must be withdrawable immediately, with or without a penalty.

A stocks and shares ISA can qualify where its cash value is clear and immediately withdrawable. A brokerage account holding shares, bonds or other investments does not automatically qualify as cash savings and will normally need to be liquidated before the application.

7. Can Liquidated Investments Be Used?

Yes. Investments, stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds and certain pension investments can be converted into cash during the six months before the application. The applicant must evidence ownership and control throughout the relevant period, the value at or before the start of the six months, and the transfer into cash.

A portfolio report or equivalent documentation from a regulated financial institution will usually be needed. The funds must meet the cash-savings requirements at the date of application.

8. Can Property Sale Proceeds Be Used?

Yes. Net proceeds from the sale of a dwelling, another building or land may be used where the applicant, partner or both owned the relevant share at the start of the six-month period and at the date of sale.

Only the net proceeds count after repayment of any mortgage or secured loan and payment of taxes and professional fees. Evidence may include Land Registry or overseas-equivalent records, a solicitor or other professional’s letter, lender confirmation and evidence of taxes and fees.

9. How Are Foreign-Currency Savings Converted?

Foreign-currency savings are normally converted into pounds sterling using the OANDA spot exchange rate for the date of application. Appendix Finance requires the FCDO Consular Exchange Rate for specified currencies or where OANDA does not publish the relevant rate.

10. What Evidence Is Required?

Appendix FM-SE requires personal bank statements showing that at least the level of savings relied upon was held in the relevant account or accounts throughout the six-month period. The account holder or holders must also provide a declaration identifying the source or sources of the savings.

Where funds came from investments or a property sale, additional specified evidence must establish ownership, value, liquidation or sale, transfer into cash and the net amount available. The supporting documents should tell a clear and consistent source-of-funds story.

11. Contact Our Immigration Barristers

Richmond Chambers advises on the financial requirement for Partner and Family Visas, including cash-savings calculations, transitional cases, gifted funds, investments, property proceeds and adequate maintenance.

To discuss a UK Spouse Visa or partner application, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete the enquiry form.

12. Frequently Asked Questions: Using Cash Savings in UK Spouse & Partner Visa Applications

How much cash savings do I need for a spouse visa?

If the £29,000 threshold applies and you have no permitted income, you need £88,500 for entry clearance or limited leave. The amount can be lower where permitted income is combined with savings.

How much cash savings do I need for partner settlement?

If the £29,000 threshold applies and no income is used, £45,000 is required because the 2.5 multiplier does not apply at settlement.

Do all partner applicants have to meet £29,000?

No. Some applicants who entered the five-year route before 11 April 2024 with the same partner remain under transitional financial rules.

Can my parents gift me the savings?

Yes, but the gift must belong to you or your partner, be under your control and normally be held at the required level for six months before the application.

Can I use borrowed money?

No. Borrowed funds and overdraft facilities do not count as Category D cash savings.

Can cash savings be combined with self-employment income?

No. Category D savings cannot be combined with Category F or Category G income.

Can I use shares as cash savings?

Not while they remain investments. The funds must normally be converted into qualifying cash and the ownership, value and transfer history must satisfy the Rules.

Can I use proceeds from selling a house?

Yes, if the property and net proceeds meet the ownership, six-month and evidence requirements in Appendix FM-SE.

Can savings be held outside the UK?

Yes. Overseas savings can qualify if the account and evidence meet the Rules, and the balance is converted using the required exchange-rate method.

Does the £88,500 formula apply if my sponsor receives disability benefits?

Not usually. A partner of a sponsor receiving a specified benefit is generally assessed under adequate maintenance rather than the standard minimum-income formula.