UK Spouse Visa Savings Requirements: Evidence Checklist

For cash savings, Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules asks for two documents:

1. Personal bank statements showing that at least the amount of savings you rely on was held throughout the 6 months before the date of application. The account must be in the name of the applicant, the partner, or both of them jointly.
2. A declaration of where the savings came from, made by the account holder or holders.

Only the amount above £16,000 counts toward the financial requirement. This post covers the documents: which account, which name, which period, and how to present them. For how much is needed, see our spouse visa financial requirement calculator.

All figures and rules were checked on GOV.UK on 13 October 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on GOV.UK before you apply.

The savings rule in one paragraph

Appendix FM sets the threshold at £29,000 gross annual income. Savings can make up a shortfall. The Home Office guidance gives this calculation for the first visa and the extension: (savings minus £16,000) divided by 2.5. The result is the amount that counts toward £29,000. The guidance table shows that £88,500 in savings, with no income, gives the full £29,000. The guidance calls savings "Category D".

Savings can be combined with salaried income, non-employment income such as rent, and pension income. Paragraph 13(f) of Appendix FM-SE says savings cannot be combined with self-employment income. The guidance adds that they also cannot be combined with income as a director or employee of a specified limited company. There is one more limit: if you have earned your current salary for less than 6 months, you also have to show your earnings over the past 12 months, and the guidance says savings cannot be added to those past earnings ("part (2) of Category B").

Bank statements: the full 6 months, with no gaps

Paragraph 11(a) of Appendix FM-SE asks for personal bank statements showing that "at least the level of cash savings relied upon in the application" has been held "throughout the period of 6 months prior to the date of application".

The important word is throughout. The statements need to cover every day of those 6 months, not only the start and the end. If the balance went below the amount you rely on at any point, the statements will show that.

So, for each savings account:

• Get statements that cover the full 6 months, counting back from the day you apply.
• Check there is no missing month or missing page.
• Keep the pages in date order.

Paragraph 1(l) of Appendix FM-SE adds a time limit. For evidence that covers a period ending on the date of application, the most recent part must be dated no earlier than 28 days before you apply. So the latest statement should be recent. If your application date moves, check the dates again.

Whose name the account can be in

Paragraph 11(a) says the account must be "in the name of the person or of the person and their partner jointly". Paragraph 1(a)(iii) says personal statements should be only in the name of the applicant's partner, the applicant, or both.

That gives three options:

The Home Office guidance also says the money must be under the control of the applicant, the partner or both, and that it "cannot be borrowed".

Which accounts count

Paragraph 11A(a) says the savings may be held in "any form of bank/savings account", whether a current, deposit or investment account, if two conditions are met:

• the account is provided by a financial institution regulated by the appropriate body in the country where it operates, and
• the money can be accessed immediately, "with or without a penalty" for withdrawing without notice.

The Home Office guidance adds some examples:

• Counts: a UK stocks and shares ISA, if all the cash savings requirements are met. A pension savings account from which the money can be withdrawn immediately.
• Does not count: a brokerage account where a stockbroker uses the funds to buy shares. A betting account with a bookmaker.
• Notice accounts with a penalty: if a penalty would apply for withdrawing without notice, the guidance says the penalty is not deducted from the savings figure.

Appendix Finance (FIN 2.1) adds that money is not accepted from a financial institution that cannot be checked, is not properly regulated, or does not keep electronic records.

Statement format: stationery, stamp or bank letter

The same format rules apply as for salary statements. Paragraph 1(a)(v) of Appendix FM-SE says statements must be either:

1. on official bank stationery, or
2. electronic statements with a letter from the bank on its headed stationery confirming they are authentic, or with the bank's official stamp on every page.

Ask your bank early which option it can provide. Our post on spouse visa bank statements and payslips covers this in more detail.

The source of funds declaration

Paragraph 11(b) asks for "a declaration by the account holder(s) of the source(s) of the cash savings". The Home Office guidance says savings can come from any legal source, including a gift from a family member or another third party, as long as the source is declared. It also lists paid-out competition winnings and a legacy (inheritance) that has been paid.

The rules do not set a template. A practical layout (not a GOV.UK form) includes:

• the account holder's full name
• the bank and the account the savings are in
• where the money came from, for example salary saved over time, a gift, an inheritance or a property sale
• the date, and the account holder's signature

If the account is joint, both account holders can sign.

Savings that were recently moved from investments or property

Paragraph 11A says money held as cash at the date of application can have come from two sources within the 6 months. The time it spent in the earlier form counts toward the 6 months.

From investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds (paragraph 11A(c)). The guidance says this includes money taken out of a pension pot. You need a portfolio report or similar documents from a regulated financial institution showing:

• that the applicant, the partner or both owned and controlled the investments
• their cash value at or before the start of the 6 months
• the transfer into cash

From the sale of property (a home, another building or land), paragraph 11A(d). The sale must be completed within the 6 months, and the property owned at the start of that period. The evidence may include:

• Land Registry documents, or the overseas equivalent
• a letter from the solicitor who handled the sale, confirming the sale price
• a letter from the lender on headed stationery about repaying the mortgage
• confirmation that taxes and professional fees were paid

Only the net proceeds count, after the mortgage, taxes and fees. If the property was shared with someone else, only the share owned by the applicant, the partner or both counts.

Savings in another currency or another country

Appendix Finance FIN 1.1 and FIN 1.2 say money in a foreign currency is converted to pounds using the spot exchange rate on www.oanda.com for the date of the application. A few currencies not on OANDA use the FCDO consular exchange rate instead.

Statements not in English or Welsh need the original plus a full translation. Paragraph 1(j) of Appendix FM-SE says the translation must be dated and include confirmation that it is accurate, the translator's full name and signature (or an authorised official of the translation company), and their contact details. For an extension or other application made inside the UK, paragraph 1(j)(iv) also asks for certification by a qualified translator and details of the translator's or company's credentials. See our guide to certified translation for a spouse visa.

Putting the savings set in order

GOV.UK says you will be told how to provide your documents when you apply. One simple order:

1. The source of funds declaration
2. Statements for each savings account, oldest to newest
3. Any bank letter confirming electronic statements are authentic
4. Portfolio reports or property sale documents, if the money was moved within the 6 months
5. Translations, each placed after its original

Name files clearly, for example savings-joint-account-2026-05.pdf.

Checklist

• Statements covering every day of the 6 months before the application date
• Balance stays at or above the amount you rely on throughout
• Account in the applicant's name, the partner's name, or both jointly
• Regulated institution, money can be withdrawn immediately
• Statements on bank stationery, stamped on every page, or with a bank letter
• Latest statement dated within 28 days of the application date
• Signed declaration of the source of the savings
• Portfolio report or property sale documents, if the money moved within 6 months
• Original and translation for anything not in English or Welsh

Frequently asked questions

How long must savings be held for a UK spouse visa? Appendix FM-SE asks for statements showing the amount was held throughout the 6 months before the date of application. Money recently moved from investments or a property sale can count the earlier period, with extra evidence.

Can a gift from family be used as spouse visa savings? The Home Office guidance says savings can come from any legal source, including a gift from a family member, if the source is declared. The money must be in an account of the applicant, the partner or both, and under their control.

Can savings held outside the UK count? The rules accept accounts with a financial institution regulated in the country where it operates. Foreign currency is converted using the OANDA spot rate for the date of application.

Can I combine savings with self-employed income? Paragraph 13(f) of Appendix FM-SE says self-employment income cannot be combined with savings. Salaried income, pension and non-employment income can be, with the limit on past earnings for people in their job less than 6 months described above.

Is there a minimum bank balance for a UK spouse visa? There is no single balance rule. Only savings above £16,000 count, and the amount above £16,000 is divided by 2.5. With no income at all, the guidance table shows £88,500 meets the £29,000 requirement. With income, you need less. Our calculator works out the figure.

How Stratovisa helps

The savings evidence is several documents that need to line up: six months of statements per account, a declaration, and sometimes sale or investment papers. In Stratovisa, the financial evidence slot lists savings evidence and the savings source declaration as upload options, alongside bank statements and the other income documents, so you can see what is in place and what is still missing. When everything is uploaded, you download one organised package for your online application. See how it works for the spouse and partner visa.