What counts as non-employment income under Category C?

Category C covers income from sources other than salaried or non-salaried employment. This includes property rental income, dividends, interest from savings, a pension (state or private), insurance payments, and other regular income that is not from a job.

Can I use rental income to meet the financial requirement?

Yes. Rental income from a property you own qualifies under Category C. You need to show at least 12 months of rental income at or above the threshold, with evidence such as tenancy agreements, bank statements showing rental payments, and tax returns.

Can I combine Category C with other categories?

Yes. You can combine non-employment income with income from employment (Category A or B) or savings (Category D) to meet the threshold. The Home Office considers the total from all qualifying sources.

How do I evidence pension income?

Provide your pension statement showing the annual amount, bank statements showing regular pension payments for at least 12 months, and a letter from your pension provider confirming the payment amount and frequency. For state pension, a DWP letter suffices.

Category C Non-Employment Income for UK Spouse Visa

Category C of the UK spouse visa financial requirement covers non-employment income sources such as pensions, rental income, dividends, and interest. This guide explains what qualifies, what evidence to provide, and how to combine Category C with other income sources.

What Category C Covers

The financial requirement for a UK spouse visa can be met through several categories. Category C covers non-employment income — money you receive regularly from sources other than a job. This includes:

Pension income: State pension, private pension, or overseas pension
Property rental income: Net income from properties you own and rent out
Dividends: From shares or investments
Interest: From savings accounts or bonds
Insurance payments: Regular payments from an insurance policy
Royalties or licence fees: Regular income from intellectual property

The income must be genuine, regular, and ongoing. One-off payments do not count. The official guidance is set out in Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules.

Meeting the Income Threshold

The income threshold for a spouse visa is currently £29,000 per year (as of 2026). If you are relying solely on Category C income, your non-employment income must equal or exceed this amount over the 12 months before your application.

If your Category C income falls short, you can combine it with other sources:

Category A (salaried employment)
Category B (variable employment income)
Category D (cash savings)

See our guide on which financial category to use if you are unsure about the best approach.

Evidence for Pension Income

Pension income is the most straightforward Category C source. You need:

A pension statement or letter from your pension provider showing the annual amount
Bank statements covering 12 months showing regular pension payments being received
For state pension: a letter from the DWP confirming the amount
For overseas pensions: equivalent documentation from the overseas provider, plus bank statements showing receipt in the UK

The pension must be payable now, not a future entitlement. Projected pension values do not count.

Evidence for Rental Income

Rental income from property you own is a common Category C source. The Home Office wants to see:

Evidence of property ownership (Land Registry documents or equivalent)
A current tenancy agreement showing the rental amount
Bank statements for 12 months showing rental payments received
Tax returns or self-assessment showing rental income declared to HMRC

The Home Office considers the gross rental income. If you use a letting agent, include their statements. If there are gaps in tenancy, this may reduce your qualifying income.

Evidence for Dividends and Interest

For dividend income from company shares or investments:

Share certificates or investment account statements
Dividend payment confirmations or vouchers
Bank statements showing dividend payments received
Tax returns showing dividend income

For interest income from savings:

Savings account statements showing interest earned
Bank or building society annual interest certificates
Tax returns if applicable

Common Pitfalls

Irregular payments: If your income varies significantly from month to month, the Home Office may question its reliability. Consistency matters.
Overseas income: Income received in a foreign currency is acceptable but must be converted to GBP. Use the exchange rate at the date of application.
Undeclared income: All income used to meet the financial requirement should be declared to HMRC. Using undeclared income is risky and could undermine your application.
Capital vs income: Selling an asset (like a property) produces capital, not income. Capital goes under Category D (savings), not Category C.

Next Steps

Gather 12 months of evidence for each non-employment income source. Ensure all income is declared in your tax returns and matches your bank statements. If your situation is complex, an immigration solicitor can review your evidence before submission.

Related guides: