Answering a popular question – How to meet the Appendix FM Financial Requirement?

By UK Immigration Lawers in India | Blog published on 14th July 2022

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Appendix FM Financial Requirement is an extensive document containing the rules and requirements for those looking to come to the UK to join their family. 
In this guidance, our experts explain the key financial requirements to remember while making an Appendix FM application.

What is the Appendix FM Financial Requirement?

This Appendix FM financial requirement guidance contains the financial requirement to be met be an applicant looking to join their family in the UK as a partner or dependent child of someone, who is either a:

• a British Citizen 
• present and settled in the UK
• in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection

Who needs to meet the financial requirement?

According to the Appendix FM immigration rules, the minimum financial requirement is to be met by those making an Appendix FM application in the following categories:

• Family Life as a Partner
• Family Life as a Child of a person with limited leave as a Partner

Calculating the Appendix FM Financial Requirement…

If you are looking to make an Appendix FM Application, you must know that the applicant is required to meet the minimum financial requirement in the form of a minimum income requirement. 

The minimum income requirement for a partner, applying under Appendix FM without dependent children, is – £18,600 p.a.

Although, the minimum income requirement increases and a greater financial threshold must be met, if the application includes sponsorship of a child at the same time (or at any time before the applicant obtains settlement), or if the sponsor is currently sponsoring a kid. 

In addition to the partner, financial requirements under Appendix FM with children are:

• an additional gross yearly income of £3,800 is required for the first child sponsored,
• and an additional £2,400 for each subsequent child

The level of the financial requirement will therefore be:

• Partner with no children or no children who are subject to the income requirement – £18,600
• 1 child in addition to the partner – £2,400 
• 2 children in addition to the partner – £24,800 
• 3 children in addition to the partner – £27,200

Permitted Sources for meeting the Appendix FM Financial Requirement

While meeting the minimum income requirement, the applicant can do so, in the following 5 ways:  

• Income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work)
• Non-employment income, such as income from real estate or dividends from stocks. 
• Financial savings of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant, exceeding £16,000, held for at least 6 months and under their control 
• The applicant’s partner’s and/or the applicant’s state (UK or foreign) occupational or private pension 
• The partner’s (and/or the applicant’s, if they are in the UK with authorization to work) income from self-employment and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK.
• Other credible and reliable sources of income, financial support or funds available to the couple may be considered under the minimum income requirement in exceptional circumstances in which refusal of the application could otherwise breach Appendix FM immigration rules.

Non-Permitted Sources for meeting the Appendix FM Financial Requirement

Whilst there are multiple ways to meet the financial requirement, it is equally pertinent to note that there some sources that not permissible to meet the financial requirement, they are: 

• Any third-party subsidy or financial support (other than child maintenance or alimony payments, academic maintenance grants/stipends, or gifts of cash savings that meet the requirements
• Credit and loan facilities
• Income-related benefits, including Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Support (or any equivalent), and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, and contribution-based Incapacity Benefit
• Child Benefit
• Working Tax Credit 
• Child Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Benefit
• Working Tax Credit 
• Child Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

Summary…

If you are looking to move to the UK to join your family – then you need to read this Appendix FM Financial Requirement guidance. When it comes to partner and children moving to the UK to join their family – there are many ways. However, regardless of the route, it is essential you know the financial requirement, to analyse your eligibility and avoid a visa refusal.  

How can The SmartMove2UK help

Our UK immigration experts have helped 1000s of clients move to the UK and join their families! We have a team of experts to go through your documents, assess your application and help you make a successful application. Our team is based in all the major cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. We have also been helping clients from around the world via Zoom & Skype and have clients visiting our offices in Mumbai & Delhi for in-person consultations.

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