How much savings do I need for a Spouse visa?

If relying solely on savings (with no employment income), you need £62,500 above any amount needed to meet the income threshold. The formula is: savings needed = £16,000 + (shortfall x 2.5 years). If combining savings with some income, you only need enough to cover the shortfall. The £16,000 figure and threshold are based on 2026 rules — always check the latest guidance.

How long do savings need to be held for a Spouse visa?

The savings must have been held in a bank account for at least 6 months before the date of your application. The Home Office checks bank statements covering the full 6-month period to verify the funds were consistently available.

Can I use savings from a joint account?

Yes, savings in a joint account held by the applicant and/or sponsor can be used. The account must be in the name of the applicant, the sponsor, or both. Savings in accounts held by other family members cannot normally be used.

Do I need to show where the savings came from?

Yes. The Home Office requires evidence of the source of the savings. Acceptable sources include accumulated earnings, property sale proceeds, inheritance, gifts, or compensation payments. You need documentary evidence such as a sale completion statement, inheritance documents, or bank statements showing the gradual accumulation of savings.

Can I combine savings with employment income?

Yes. If your employment income is below the £29,000 threshold, you can use savings to make up the difference. The savings needed are calculated as: (income shortfall x 2.5) + £16,000. The savings must still have been held for at least 6 months.

Cash Savings Route: Complete Guide

The cash savings route allows you to use savings held in a bank account to meet the Spouse visa financial requirement, either instead of or in addition to employment income. The savings must have been held for at least 6 months, and you need to evidence the source of the funds. The amount required depends on whether you are using savings alone or combining with income.

How the Cash Savings Route Works

The cash savings route is set out in Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. It allows applicants and sponsors to use savings in place of (or in addition to) employment income to meet the minimum income requirement for a Spouse visa.

The basic principle is that the savings must be large enough to cover the income shortfall for the initial 2.5-year visa period, plus a £16,000 "floor" that must remain available. The floor amount may change — always check the latest Immigration Rules.

Calculating How Much You Need

Savings Only (No Employment Income)

If you have no employment income and are relying entirely on savings, the formula (as set out in the GOV.UK financial requirement guidance) is:

Required savings = £16,000 + (£29,000 x 2.5) = £88,500

This is calculated as the £16,000 floor plus the full income threshold multiplied by 2.5 (representing the 2.5-year initial visa period).

Combining Savings with Income

If you have some employment income but it falls short of £29,000, you can use savings to cover the gap. The formula is:

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

For example, if the sponsor earns £22,000:

Income shortfall: £29,000 - £22,000 = £7,000
Required savings: £16,000 + (£7,000 x 2.5) = £33,500

The savings of £33,500 must have been held for at least 6 months.

At Extension and ILR

The same calculation applies at the extension and ILR stages, but the multiplier changes to 2.5 for the extension period. If your income has changed since the initial application, recalculate accordingly.

The 6-Month Holding Period

The savings must have been held in an account for at least 6 months immediately before the date of your application. The Home Office checks this by reviewing bank statements covering the full 6-month period.

Key rules:

Consistent balance: The balance must not have dropped below the required amount at any point during the 6 months. A single day below the threshold can invalidate the savings evidence.
Movement of funds: Funds can move between accounts held by the applicant or sponsor without breaking the holding period, provided the total across qualifying accounts never drops below the required amount.
Multiple accounts: Savings can be spread across multiple accounts in the applicant's and/or sponsor's name. Provide statements for all accounts.
Closing balance: The most recent statement must show the required balance is still held at the date closest to the application.

Proving the Source of Funds

The Home Office requires evidence showing where the savings came from. This is to prevent applicants from borrowing money temporarily to meet the requirement. Acceptable sources include:

Accumulated earnings: Savings built up from salary over time. Bank statements showing regular salary credits and gradual growth in the balance are sufficient evidence.
Property sale: Proceeds from selling a property. Provide the sale completion statement, conveyancing documents, and bank statement showing the deposit.
Inheritance: Funds received as an inheritance. Provide the grant of probate, will, solicitor's letter, and bank statement showing the deposit.
Gift: Money given to you by a family member. Provide a letter from the donor confirming the gift is unconditional, the donor's bank statements showing the withdrawal, and your bank statement showing the deposit. The Home Office may question whether a gift is genuinely unconditional.
Compensation or legal settlement: Provide the settlement agreement or court order and bank statement showing the deposit.
Investments: Funds from selling investments (stocks, bonds, etc.). Provide statements from the investment platform showing the sale and transfer to your bank account.

Whose Savings Can Be Used?

Sponsor's savings: The British citizen or settled person sponsoring the application. Their individual savings in accounts in their name are fully eligible.
Applicant's savings: The person applying for the Spouse visa. Their savings, including savings held overseas, can be used (with appropriate evidence and currency conversion).
Joint savings: Savings in a joint account held by both the applicant and sponsor are eligible.
Other family members: Savings held solely by other family members (parents, siblings) cannot be used. However, if those family members gift the money to the applicant or sponsor, and the gifted funds are held in a qualifying account for 6 months, they can then be used.

Documents Required

To evidence cash savings for a Spouse visa, provide:

Bank statements covering 6 months: Consecutive statements from every account containing the savings, covering at least 6 months before the application date. See our financial documents guide for formatting requirements.
Source of funds evidence: Documents proving where the money came from (as outlined above).
Current balance evidence: A statement or balance confirmation dated as close to the application date as possible.
Currency conversion: If savings are in a foreign currency, the Home Office converts at the OANDA exchange rate on the date of application. Check the rate before applying to ensure you meet the threshold after conversion.

Common Mistakes

Balance dipping below the threshold: Even briefly dropping below the required amount during the 6-month period can invalidate the evidence. Monitor your balance carefully.
Not holding funds for the full 6 months: Depositing a large sum 5 months before applying, even if the total is correct, will not meet the requirement.
No source evidence: Failing to explain where the money came from raises suspicion and can lead to refusal.
Funds in the wrong person's account: Savings held by parents or other relatives do not count unless transferred and held for 6 months.
Incorrect calculation: Miscalculating the required amount using the wrong formula or the wrong income shortfall figure.

Practical Tips

Start the 6-month holding period well in advance of your planned application date. Ideally, have the funds in place at least 7-8 months before to account for any delays.
Keep the savings in a single account if possible. This simplifies the evidence and reduces the risk of errors.
Set up alerts on your bank account to notify you if the balance drops below a certain level.
If using overseas savings, check the exchange rate regularly. Currency fluctuations could push your savings below the threshold when converted to GBP. Check the current fee schedule for the latest thresholds.
If combining savings with income, make sure your income evidence also meets the formatting requirements for Category A or Category B.