Can savings help you bring your Thai wife or partner to the UK? Yes. Qualifying cash savings can meet the UK spouse visa financial requirement on their own or, in some cases, make up a shortfall in income. The important questions are how much you need, how long you have held the money and which financial rules apply to your application.
Using savings for a UK spouse visa?
Tell us how much you hold, how long you’ve held it and whether you also receive a salary or pension. We’ll help you identify the financial rules and evidence relevant to your application.
How much savings do you need for a UK spouse visa?
If your application is subject to the current £29,000 minimum income requirement, you will generally need £88,500 in qualifying cash savings to meet the requirement using savings alone.
Savings-only calculation: £16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5) = £88,500.
You do not necessarily need £88,500 if you also have qualifying income. Savings may be used to cover a shortfall, provided the income and savings can be combined under the relevant rules.
How do savings make up an income shortfall?
For an initial partner application under the £29,000 requirement, the usual calculation is:
£16,000 + (annual income shortfall × 2.5)
Example: £25,000 annual income
If you have £25,000 in qualifying annual income, you are £4,000 below the £29,000 requirement.
£16,000 + (£4,000 × 2.5) = £26,000 in qualifying savings.
This is an illustration, not a calculation for every applicant. The type of income, where it is earned, your employment history and the application stage can affect which evidence and calculations UKVI accepts.
Does everyone need to meet the £29,000 requirement?
No. People who first applied successfully as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending their visa with the same partner may remain under transitional financial arrangements. Their calculation should be based on the requirement that applies to them, rather than automatically using £29,000.
If the sponsor receives certain disability or carer’s benefits, the application may instead be assessed under the adequate maintenance rules. You can read an example in our forum discussion about sponsoring a Thai wife while receiving DLA.
Already in the UK on a family visa? Our forum answer explains when the £18,600 or £29,000 income requirement applies to an extension.
How long must you have held the savings?
Cash savings will normally need to have been held for at least six months immediately before the application. The money must meet the rules on ownership, availability, source and documentary evidence.
There are specific provisions for proceeds from the sale of property, so a recent property sale needs to be assessed against those rules. Do not assume that transferring money into a savings account shortly before applying starts and ends the enquiry.
Can savings held in Thailand count?
Savings held in Thailand may count if they meet the applicable requirements and can be properly evidenced. If the account is in Thai baht, UKVI will assess its value in pounds using the applicable currency conversion rules.
Exchange rates move. If your balance is only just above the amount you need, a change in the rate could leave you short. It is sensible to calculate the position carefully before applying.
What documents will you need?
The evidence depends on your circumstances, but an application relying on savings will generally need documents showing:
- who owns and controls the funds;
- the balance and account history for the required period;
- that the money is accessible; and
- the source of the funds where an explanation is required.
If you are combining savings with employment, pension or other permitted income, you must also supply the specified evidence for that income category. Having enough money is only part of the test: the documents must establish that you meet the rules.
What if you are retiring in Thailand or returning to the UK?
This is a common question for British sponsors living with their partners in Thailand. A pension may be relevant, but the rules for overseas employment and a planned return to the UK need particular care. We can review your income and savings together before you decide when to apply.
Check the rules before you apply
See our Appendix FM financial requirement guide for the wider income rules. You can also check the official GOV.UK partner visa financial requirements and Appendix FM-SE evidence rules.
For help with a spouse or partner application from Thailand, send our Pattaya team a WhatsApp message with your income, approximate savings and intended application date.
UK immigration advice is provided through Thai Visa Express UK. Paul Aslett, Managing Director, is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority under registration F200700163. The applicable rules depend on your circumstances and the date of application.