Category B: 12 Months Variable Income
What you need to know
- •Category B covers 12 months and allows multiple employers during the period.
- •All income counts: overtime, commission, bonuses, and allowances (whether contractual or not).
- •Two tests must be met: £29,000 total in the past 12 months AND £29,000 current annual salary.
- •You need 12 months of payslips, 12 months of bank statements, and employer letters from all employers.
- •Category B requires more documentation than Category A but is more flexible for variable income.
Category B income evidence covers 12 months of employment history. Unlike Category A, it counts all earned income including non-contractual overtime and bonuses. The catch is that you must meet two tests: total earnings of at least £29,000 over the past 12 months, AND a current gross annual salary of at least £29,000 at the time of application. Both must be met.
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When to Use Category B
Category B is the right choice when Category A does not apply. Common scenarios include:
- Changed jobs within the last 6 months: You cannot use Category A because it requires 6 months with the same employer. Category B allows you to combine income from multiple employers.
- Variable income: Your monthly pay varies due to overtime, shift patterns, commission, tips, or seasonal work. Category B counts actual total earnings rather than just your base salary.
- Recently promoted or received a pay increase: If your salary increased within the last 6 months and was below the threshold before, Category A might not work but Category B might if your total earnings over 12 months exceed £29,000.
- Multiple part-time jobs: If you work multiple jobs that together total £29,000 or more, Category B allows you to combine them.
The Two Tests You Must Pass
Category B has two requirements, and you must meet both:
Test 1: 12-Month Total Earnings
Your total gross income from employment in the 12 months before the application date must be at least £29,000 (as per the GOV.UK financial requirement guidance). This includes:
- Basic salary
- Overtime (contractual and non-contractual)
- Bonuses (contractual and discretionary)
- Commission
- Regular allowances (London weighting, shift premiums)
Add up every payslip for the 12-month period. The total gross pay across all payslips must reach £29,000.
Test 2: Current Annual Salary
At the date of application, your current gross annual salary must be at least £29,000. This is based on your contracted salary, not variable income. If your base salary is below £29,000 but your total earnings (with overtime and bonuses) exceed it, you may pass Test 1 but fail Test 2.
This is the most common trap with Category B. You must earn enough in total over 12 months and be earning at the threshold rate at the time you apply.
Documents Required for Category B
Payslips (12 Months)
All payslips for the 12-month period before the application date. If you had multiple employers, include payslips from each. There should be no gaps in the payslip sequence. Each payslip must show the same information required for Category A: name, employer details, PAYE reference, gross and net pay, and payment date.
Bank Statements (12 Months)
Bank statements covering the full 12-month period from the account(s) your salary is paid into. If you changed bank accounts during the period, include statements from all accounts. Every salary credit on the bank statements must correspond to a payslip.
Employer Letters
An employer letter from your current employer confirming your current salary, job title, start date, and employment type. If you had previous employers during the 12-month period, provide letters from them too (or P60 certificates covering that employment).
All employer letters must be on company letterhead, signed by a senior person with their name, title, and contact details. See our financial documents guide for full requirements.
P60 Certificates
P60s for each complete tax year within the 12-month period are useful supporting evidence. They confirm your total earnings and tax paid, corroborating the payslips and bank statements.
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Dealing with Multiple Employers
If you changed jobs during the 12-month period, you need to provide evidence from all employers:
- Payslips from each employer: Covering the dates you worked for each. The combined payslips should cover the full 12 months with no gaps.
- P45 from previous employers: Your P45 shows your leaving date and total earnings up to that point. Include P45s from any jobs you left during the 12-month period.
- Employer letters from each: Ideally, get a letter from each employer. If a previous employer has closed or you cannot obtain a letter, a P45 and P60 covering that employment can substitute.
- Covering letter: Explain the timeline of your employment clearly. State when you left each job and when you started the next one. Note any gaps between jobs.
Gaps between employers are acceptable under Category B, but only if your total earnings over the 12 months still reach £29,000 and you are currently earning at the threshold.
Calculating Variable Income
For variable income, the calculation is straightforward in principle but requires careful documentation:
- Gather all payslips for the 12-month period
- Add up the gross pay from each payslip
- Check the total reaches at least £29,000
- Check your current annual salary also reaches £29,000
Example
A nurse earning a base salary of £27,000 who regularly works overtime:
- Base salary over 12 months: £27,000
- Overtime over 12 months: £4,500
- Total 12-month earnings: £31,500 (passes Test 1)
- Current annual salary including regular overtime: The employer letter must confirm the salary. If the base salary is £27,000, the employer should state that the annual salary including regular overtime is at or above £29,000.
The critical issue here is Test 2. If the employer letter only states the base salary of £27,000, the application will fail Test 2 even though total earnings exceed the threshold. Work with your employer to ensure the letter accurately reflects your total regular income.
Common Category B Mistakes
- Passing Test 1 but failing Test 2: Total earnings over 12 months exceed £29,000, but the current annual salary is below it. Both tests must be met.
- Incomplete payslip sequence: Missing one or more payslips from the 12-month period creates a gap that the Home Office cannot verify.
- Bank statements not covering the full period: Statements must cover all 12 months. Switching bank accounts mid-period requires statements from both accounts.
- No employer letter from a previous employer: If you cannot get one, provide P45 and P60 evidence instead and explain in a covering letter.
- Mismatched documents: Payslip amounts not matching bank statement credits, or employer letter salary not matching payslip figures.
Category A vs Category B: Quick Comparison
- Period covered: A = 6 months, B = 12 months
- Employers: A = same employer throughout, B = one or more employers
- Variable income: A = only contractual, B = all income counts
- Documents: A = 6 months evidence, B = 12 months evidence
- Tests: A = salary at or above threshold, B = salary at threshold AND 12-month total at threshold
If you qualify for Category A, it is simpler and requires less documentation. Use Category B when Category A is not available due to job changes, variable income, or needing to include non-contractual earnings. See the official UK family visa guidance for the latest rules.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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