Spouse Visa – What sources of income are not permitted?

Previously we have focused on the sources of income which can be counted towards the financial requirement, but in this blog we will shed some light on the sources of income which are not counted towards the financial requirement.

Third party support

Unfortunately, some applications are refused on the basis that financial support from third parties are not counted towards the financial requirement. Only the following third party or subsidy financial support can be counted:

• Child maintenance or alimony payments from a former partner
• Academic maintenance grants/stipends
• Gift of cash savings (see below)

Gift of cash savings

Gifts of cash savings will only be permissible if the source of the cash savings is declared and evidenced. The cash savings must have been held by the applicant, their partner or jointly for at least 6 months prior to the date of application and are under their control.

Other income not included:

• Income from others who live in the same household unless it is income from a dependant child who has turned 18 and remains in the same household as the applicant and continues to be counted towards the financial requirement
• Loans and credit facilities
• Income-related benefits:
  • Income support
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
  • Pensions credit
  • Housing benefit
  • Council tax benefit or support
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Contributory benefits:
  • Contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance
  • Contribution-based employment and support allowance
  • Incapacity benefit
• Child benefit
• Working tax credit
• Child tax credit
• Universal credit
• Unemployability allowance, allowance for a lowered standard of occupation and invalidity allowance under the war pensions scheme
• Any other source of income not specified under the immigration rules as counting towards the financial requirement