UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements: PIP, Adequate Maintenance & When Savings Are Needed

Understanding the Financial Requirement for Spouse Visas

The UK spouse visa (also called partner visa or family visa) has financial requirements that the British or settled sponsor must meet. However, there are exemptions for sponsors receiving certain disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

This guide explains exactly how it works, answering the common question:

"My partner is British and receives PIP but doesn't work. We were told by solicitors that we need 6 months of savings. But aren't PIP recipients exempt from the standard financial requirement?"

The Two Financial Pathways

There are two different ways to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa:

1. Standard Minimum Income Requirement

This is the "normal" route where the sponsor must earn a minimum income:

• Current threshold (2024-2025): £29,000 per year
• Future threshold: Planned to increase to £38,700
• Can be met through employment income, self-employment, cash savings, or a combination

2. Adequate Maintenance (Exemption Route)

Sponsors receiving certain disability benefits are exempt from the minimum income requirement. Instead, they must show they can "adequately maintain" themselves and their partner.

This is a lower threshold and does NOT require the £29,000+ income.

Who Qualifies for the Adequate Maintenance Exemption?

You qualify for the exemption if the sponsor (the British/settled partner) receives any of these benefits:

• ✅ Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• ✅ Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• ✅ Severe Disablement Allowance
• ✅ Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• ✅ Attendance Allowance
• ✅ Carer's Allowance (if caring for someone receiving a qualifying benefit)
• ✅ Armed Forces Independence Payment

Important: The applicant (the person applying for the visa) receiving these benefits does NOT count — it must be the sponsor.

How Adequate Maintenance Is Calculated

If you're exempt from the minimum income requirement, you must instead show that you and your partner will be "adequately maintained" without relying on public funds.

The Test

The Home Office assesses whether your household income (including benefits) is equal to or above the relevant Income Support level for a couple, plus your housing costs.

The Formula

Adequate Maintenance = Income Support rate for a couple + Housing costs

As of 2024/2025:

• Income Support for a couple (both 18+): Approximately £137.60 per week (£7,155 per year)
• Plus housing costs: Your rent or mortgage payments

Example Calculation

If your monthly rent is £800:

• Annual housing costs: £800 × 12 = £9,600
• Income Support equivalent: £7,155
• Total needed: £16,755 per year

This is significantly lower than the £29,000+ minimum income requirement!

What Income Counts?

When calculating adequate maintenance, you can include:

• ✅ PIP (the benefit itself)
• ✅ Any other non-public-fund income (employment, pensions, rental income)
• ✅ Partner's income (if they're already in the UK and working)
• ✅ Third-party support (with evidence)

Note: PIP is NOT considered a "public fund" for immigration purposes, so receiving it doesn't affect the adequate maintenance assessment negatively.

Are Savings Required for the PIP Exemption Route?

This is where confusion often arises, and where some solicitors give incorrect advice.

The Short Answer

No, 6 months of savings is NOT automatically required if you're using the adequate maintenance exemption route.

The Detailed Explanation

The "6 months of savings" rule comes from the standard minimum income requirement pathway, where savings can be used to make up an income shortfall. Under that route:

• You need £16,000 minimum savings
• Savings over £16,000 can count toward the income requirement
• Money must be held for 6 months

However, if you're exempt from the minimum income requirement (because of PIP), you don't need to follow these savings rules.

What the Home Office Actually Requires

For the adequate maintenance route, the Home Office wants to see:

1. Proof of the qualifying benefit (PIP award letter)
2. Evidence that household income covers your needs (income vs expenses)
3. Housing costs evidence (tenancy agreement, mortgage statement)
4. Bank statements (to show money management, not 6-month savings)

What Evidence Do You Need?

For PIP Exemption

• ✅ PIP award letter — showing the sponsor receives PIP
• ✅ Bank statements — showing PIP payments being received (typically 3-6 months)
• ✅ Any other income evidence — if there are other income sources

For Adequate Maintenance

• ✅ Housing costs — tenancy agreement, rent receipts, mortgage statement
• ✅ Utility bills — showing address and typical costs
• ✅ Council tax bill
• ✅ Bank statements — showing income and expenditure (3-6 months)
• ✅ Budget breakdown — optional but helpful, showing income vs expenses

Proof of Relationship (Still Required)

• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
• Photos together
• Communication evidence
• Evidence of cohabitation (if applicable)

Common Misconceptions

❌ "You still need £29,000 if sponsor receives PIP"

False. The whole point of the exemption is that you don't need to meet the minimum income requirement.

❌ "You need 6 months of savings"

False for PIP exemption route. The 6-month savings rule applies to the standard income route, not adequate maintenance.

❌ "PIP counts as public funds"

False. PIP is explicitly excluded from the definition of "public funds" for immigration purposes.

❌ "You need a solicitor for PIP cases"

Not necessarily. Many people successfully apply themselves. However, if your case is complex, professional help can be valuable.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm sponsor receives a qualifying benefit (PIP, DLA, etc.)
2. Gather evidence of the benefit (award letter, bank statements)
3. Calculate your adequate maintenance (income vs Income Support + housing costs)
4. Prepare housing evidence (tenancy, bills)
5. Gather relationship evidence (marriage certificate, photos, etc.)
6. Complete the online application on gov.uk
7. Pay the fee (currently £1,846 for 2.5 years)
8. Book biometrics appointment
9. Submit documents
10. Wait for decision (standard: up to 24 weeks from outside UK)

Real Experiences: What Others Have Done

Based on community experiences, here's what successful PIP-based applications typically include:

What Worked

• Clear PIP award letter showing ongoing entitlement
• 3-6 months bank statements showing PIP payments
• Simple budget showing income covers expenses
• Standard relationship evidence
• No solicitor needed in straightforward cases

What Caused Problems

• Not providing PIP award letter (just bank statements)
• PIP under review or about to expire
• Unclear evidence of housing costs
• Applying under wrong financial route

Should You Use a Solicitor?

Many people in this situation apply successfully without a solicitor. However, consider professional help if:

• Your case has complications (previous refusals, complex immigration history)
• You're unsure about the documentation
• The PIP award is temporary or under review
• You want peace of mind

Warning: Some solicitors are not familiar with the PIP exemption route and may give incorrect advice (like requiring 6 months savings). If a solicitor's advice contradicts the official guidance, ask them to explain or seek a second opinion.

Fees & Timeline

Item	Cost
Spouse visa application (2.5 years)	£1,846
Immigration Health Surcharge (2.5 years)	£1,560
Biometric enrolment	£19.20
Total	~£3,425

Processing time: Up to 24 weeks from outside the UK (standard service)

After the Visa: Route to Settlement

The spouse visa is initially granted for 2.5 years. After this:

• You'll need to extend for another 2.5 years
• After 5 years total, you can apply for ILR (settlement)
• The financial requirement applies at each stage, but the PIP exemption continues

Frequently Asked Questions

What if PIP is under review?

This can complicate your application. Ideally, wait until the review is complete. If you must apply, include evidence of the ongoing review and your current entitlement.

What if PIP stops after the visa is granted?

Your visa won't be revoked. However, at extension time, you'd need to meet the financial requirement through other means or through another qualifying benefit.

Can the applicant work on a spouse visa?

Yes. Spouse visa holders have full work rights in the UK. This income can help at extension stage.

What if we live rent-free?

If you live with family rent-free, provide a letter confirming this arrangement. Your adequate maintenance threshold would be lower without housing costs.

Do we need to show the £29,000 income at extension?

No — if the sponsor still receives PIP (or another qualifying benefit) at extension time, the adequate maintenance route continues to apply.

Related Guides

• UK ILR for Dependants: Document Checklist
• Which Visa Types Count Toward ILR?
• British Citizenship Application Guide

Official Government Resources

For official guidance on spouse visa financial requirements, refer to these UK government pages:

• 🔗 Family Visa: Proof of Income — gov.uk
• 🔗 UK Family Visa Overview — gov.uk
• 🔗 Appendix FM: Family Members Guidance — gov.uk
• 🔗 Financial Requirement Detailed Guidance — gov.uk
• 🔗 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — gov.uk
• 🔗 Public Funds Definition — gov.uk

Need Help With Your Application?

Spouse visa applications can be complex, especially when navigating the adequate maintenance route. Our services can help:

AI Document Check (Free) — Instant verification that your documents are complete and correctly formatted. 1 free check per document daily.

Expert Review (£49) — Comprehensive review by immigration specialists who understand the PIP exemption route and can check your adequate maintenance calculation.

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