Which Financial Category Applies to You?
What you need to know
- •Category A is for applicants employed by the same employer for 6+ months with consistent pay at or above the threshold.
- •Category B covers 12 months of employment income, useful if you changed jobs or have variable earnings.
- •Category D (savings alone) requires a large sum: (threshold x 2.5) + £16,000.
- •Category E lets you combine income and savings to bridge a shortfall.
- •Self-employment falls under Category F and requires tax returns and accountant evidence.
The Home Office groups financial evidence into categories: salaried employment (A and B), non-employment income (C), cash savings (D), combined sources (E), and self-employment (F). Your choice depends on how you earn money and how long you have been in your current role. Getting the category right determines what documents you need to submit.
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Why the Category Matters
When you apply for a UK spouse visa or family visa, you must prove that you meet the minimum income threshold. The Home Office does not simply ask "do you earn enough?" Instead, it requires you to submit evidence that fits into specific categories defined in Appendix FM Section 1.7 on GOV.UK.
Each category has its own rules about what evidence to provide, what time period it must cover, and how income is calculated. If you submit evidence under the wrong category, or mix up the requirements, your application could be refused even if you actually earn enough.
This guide walks you through each category so you can identify which one (or which combination) applies to your situation.
Category A: Salaried Employment (6 Months)
Category A is the most straightforward option. It applies if:
- You are currently employed by a single employer
- You have been with that employer for at least 6 months at the date of application
- Your gross annual salary is at or above the minimum income threshold
Under Category A, the Home Office looks at your current salary rate. It does not matter what you earned before joining your current employer. What matters is that your current pay meets the threshold and has been consistent for the last 6 months.
Evidence Required
- Payslips from your employer covering at least the last 6 months
- A letter from your employer confirming your job title, salary, start date, and employment type (permanent, fixed-term, etc.)
- Bank statements for the same 6-month period showing salary deposits
If you receive guaranteed overtime, commissions, or bonuses that are contractual, these can be included in your salary figure. Non-guaranteed overtime or discretionary bonuses generally cannot be counted under Category A. If a significant portion of your income comes from variable pay, Category B may be more appropriate.
Category B: Salaried Employment (12 Months)
Category B is designed for applicants who have been employed for at least 12 months but whose income situation is more complex. It applies if:
- You have been with your current employer for less than 6 months (but your combined employment spans 12 months)
- You changed jobs during the 12-month period
- Your income varies from month to month (e.g., due to overtime or commissions)
Under Category B, the Home Office looks at two things:
- Your current salary must be at or above the threshold at the date of application.
- Your total gross income over the previous 12 months must also be at or above the threshold.
Evidence Required
- Payslips covering the full 12-month period (from all employers if you changed jobs)
- Employer letter(s) from each employer during the 12-month period
- Bank statements for the full 12-month period showing salary deposits
- P60 or P45 documents if you changed employer during the tax year
Category B is useful for people who have recently taken a pay rise or changed to a higher-paying role. As long as both the 12-month total and current salary meet the threshold, the application should succeed.
Category C: Non-Employment Income
Category C covers income that does not come from employment or self-employment. This includes:
- Private or occupational pensions
- Rental income from property
- Dividend income from shares
- Interest from savings (above the personal savings allowance)
- Income from trust funds
To use Category C, the income must be regular and ongoing. One-off payments or windfalls do not count. You must demonstrate that you have received this income for at least 12 months and that it will continue.
Evidence Required
- Evidence of the income source (pension statement, tenancy agreement, dividend vouchers, etc.)
- Bank statements covering 12 months showing the income being received
- Official documentation confirming the income will continue (e.g., pension provider letter)
You can combine Category C income with salaried income to meet the threshold. For example, if you earn £22,000 from employment and £8,000 from a pension, the combined total of £30,000 would meet a £29,000 threshold.
Category D: Cash Savings
If you have no income or insufficient income, you can rely entirely on cash savings. This requires a substantial amount. The formula is:
(Income threshold x 2.5) + £16,000 = minimum savings required
For a threshold of £29,000, this means you need savings of at least £88,500. The savings must have been held for at least 6 months. See our combining income and savings guide for full details on the formula and evidence requirements.
Evidence Required
- Bank statements covering the full 6-month period
- Evidence that the savings are held as cash (not investments or property)
- The balance must not drop below the required amount at any point during the 6 months
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Category E: Combined Income and Savings
Category E is the most commonly used alternative when income alone falls short. It allows you to use cash savings to top up your employment income. The formula for the savings portion is:
(Income shortfall x 2.5) + £16,000 = savings needed
For example, if the threshold is £29,000 and you earn £26,000, your shortfall is £3,000. You would need (£3,000 x 2.5) + £16,000 = £23,500 in savings.
This is a much more achievable figure than the £88,500 needed under Category D alone. See our detailed combining income and savings guide for worked examples and tips.
Evidence Required
You must provide the evidence for your income category (A, B, or C) plus the savings evidence required for Category D. Both sets of evidence must be complete.
Category F: Self-Employment
If you are self-employed, a sole trader, or a company director, your income falls under Category F. The rules are more complex because self-employment income can fluctuate significantly.
Evidence Required
- Tax return (SA302) or tax calculation for the last full financial year, showing your total income
- Tax year overview from HMRC confirming the amounts on your tax return
- Bank statements for the 12-month period corresponding to your tax return
- Business accounts or an accountant's letter confirming your income
- Evidence of ongoing self-employment (contracts, invoices, or company registration documents)
If you are a company director, you can count both your salary and dividends. Your SA302 should reflect both. Make sure the combined total meets the income threshold.
Self-employment income is typically assessed over the last full financial year (6 April to 5 April). If your most recent tax return does not cover the full year, you may need to wait until your next return is filed.
How to Choose Your Category
Use this decision process:
- Are you employed with one employer for 6+ months? Use Category A.
- Have you changed jobs or been employed for 6-12 months? Use Category B.
- Are you self-employed? Use Category F.
- Do you have pension, rental, or investment income? Use Category C (alone or combined with employment).
- Is your income below the threshold? Use Category E to combine income with savings.
- Do you have no income at all? Use Category D (savings only).
If you are unsure, an immigration solicitor can review your financial situation and advise on the strongest category to use. This is especially valuable for complex cases involving multiple income sources or self-employment.
Common Mistakes
- Using Category A when you should use Category B: If you have been with your employer for less than 6 months, you cannot use Category A even if your salary exceeds the threshold.
- Missing the 12-month requirement for Category B: You must show 12 months of continuous employment, even if across different employers.
- Counting non-cash assets as savings: Property equity, investments, and cryptocurrency do not count under Category D or E.
- Submitting incomplete bank statements: Every category requires bank statements covering the full relevant period with no gaps.
- Using the wrong income threshold: Check which threshold applies to your specific application. The transitional arrangements mean different thresholds apply depending on your circumstances.
What If Your Circumstances Change?
If your financial situation changes between preparing your application and submitting it (for example, you lose your job or change employer), you may need to switch categories. The evidence period is assessed at the date of application, so any changes after submission are not considered.
If you are worried about a change in circumstances, it may be worth delaying your application until your evidence is solid under a different category. Submitting a weak application risks refusal and the loss of your application fee.
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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