Using Cash Savings to Meet the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement

Meeting the UK Spouse Visa financial requirement can feel overwhelming, especially with the latest Home Office changes. One of the most flexible ways to meet the threshold is by using cash savings, either alone or combined with income. In this article we explain how cash savings work for the 2025 rules, how much you need and how to prove your funds as well as looking at some of the most commonly asked questions.

If you need personalised advice, book a free initial consultation with Mulgrave Law’s spouse visa specialists

Using Cash Savings for the UK Spouse Visa (2025 Rules Explained)

Under Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules, applicants must meet the minimum income requirement to sponsor a partner. As of 2025, the requirement can be met through:

Employment income
Self-employment income
Pensions
Non-employment income
Cash savings
Or a combination of income + savings

This article focuses specifically on cash savings, which can fully satisfy the financial requirement even if you have no income in the UK

What Counts as ‘Cash Savings’?

Cash savings are one of the most flexible categories under the UK Spouse Visa financial requirement but the Home Office is strict about what does and does not qualify. To be accepted, funds must meet all the following conditions:

1. The savings must be held by you, your partner, or jointly

The funds can be in:

The applicant’s name
The sponsor’s name
A joint account

If the savings are held jointly with a third party (e.g., a parent), only the portion legally belonging to you or your partner can be counted, which must be clearly evidenced.

2. Savings must be held in an approved account type

Acceptable places to hold cash savings include:

Personal current accounts
Personal savings accounts
Fixed-term savings accounts (as long as money can be withdrawn immediately)
Building society accounts
Cash ISAs
Investment accounts that allow instant withdrawal
Pension drawdown accounts

The key Home Office test is:
Are the funds liquid, controlled by the applicant/sponsor, and withdrawable at any time?

3. Funds must be immediately accessible

Your savings cannot be locked away in long-term investment products that restrict access, such as:

Fixed-term bonds requiring notice
Shares/stocks (unless already sold and converted to cash)
Non-withdrawable retirement accounts
Business accounts owned by someone else

If a notice period applies but the funds can still be accessed with a penalty, they usually still count; however, you must provide evidence the bank allows early withdrawal.

4. Savings must be held for at least 6 months before the date of application

This 6-month rule applies to:

UK bank accounts
Foreign bank accounts
Joint accounts
Accounts where money has come from a gift, inheritance, or property sale

Your bank statements must show:

The balance on each day of the 6-month period
That the savings never dropped below the required amount

If the funds come from a major transaction (e.g., selling property), the money must be received before the 6-month count begins.

5. Savings must come from a legal, traceable source

The Home Office requires full transparency.

Acceptable sources include:

Employment income previously earned
Dividends or investment returns
Sale of property or land
Inheritance
Divorce settlement
Pension lump sums
Gifts from family or friends (with clear evidence)

Unacceptable sources include:

Undeclared cash
Cryptocurrency holdings (not considered “cash”)
Unverifiable transfers
Business funds not belonging to the applicant/sponsor
Loans disguised as “gifts”

If using a gift, you must provide:

A signed gift letter
Proof of the donor’s identity
Evidence showing the donor legally held the money
Bank statements of the transfer

Savings that DO NOT count

The Home Office rejects savings held in:

Cryptocurrency wallets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
PayPal, Skrill, or other unregulated e-wallets
Cash stored at home
Cash stored in safe deposit boxes
Credit cards or overdrafts
Money borrowed from friends/family (loans)

These sources fail Home Office requirements because they are not cash, not fully regulated, or not demonstrably controlled by the applicant/sponsor.

How Much Cash Savings Do You Need for a Spouse Visa in 2025?

When Using Savings Alone

To meet the requirement entirely through cash savings, you must have£62,500 in cash savings.

This figure is calculated using the Home Office formula:

Required savings = £16,000 + (income shortfall × 2.5)

If income is zero, the shortfall is £18,600.

So: £16,000 + (£18,600 × 2.5) = £62,500

How to Calculate Your Required Cash Savings

Understanding how much cash savings you need can feel overwhelming at first, but the Home Office actually uses a straightforward formula. Once you know it, everything becomes much easier. In simple terms, you take your income shortfall, multiply it by 2.5, and then add £16,000. Your income shortfall is simply the difference between the £29,000 minimum income requirement and the income you and/or your partner can currently show.

This formula applies to all partner routes, including:

First-time spouse visa applications
Spouse visa extensions
Switching into the partner or family route

It also applies whether your savings are held in the UK or overseas, provided the account is regulated and the source of the funds is clearly acceptable under Home Office rules.

Example 1: If you have no income at all

Let’s imagine you are relying completely on savings:

Minimum income required: £29,000
Income you have: £0
Income shortfall: £29,000

Now apply the formula:

£16,000 + (£29,000 × 2.5)
= £16,000 + £72,500
= £88,500

So, if you are applying with no income at all, you must hold £88,500 in savings for the full 6-month period before applying.

Example 2: If the UK sponsor earns £20,000 per year

In this case, you already meet part of the income requirement.

Minimum income required: £29,000
Sponsor income: £20,000
Income shortfall: £9,000

Now apply the formula:

£16,000 + (£9,000 × 2.5)
= £16,000 + £22,500
= £38,500

So, you would need £38,500 in savings to make up the difference.

Example 3: If the sponsor earns £29,000 or more

If the UK partner earns £29,000 or above, then:

Income shortfall: £0
Cash savings required: £0

You do not need savings at all the income requirement alone is enough.

How to Prove Cash Savings for a Spouse Visa

When relying on savings to meet the financial requirement, the Home Office needs solid evidence that your money is genuine, accessible, and has been held long enough. To be accepted, you must show that your savings:

Are instantly accessible
Have been held for a continuous 6-month period
Came from a legal and traceable source

To prove this, you will need to submit documents that can be in the form of:

1. Bank statements covering the full 6-month period
These must clearly show the balance on each day and demonstrate that the money did not fall below the required amount.

2. Evidence explaining where the funds came from
For example:

A property sale completion statement
Inheritance documents
Investment or dividend statements
A signed gift letter with proof of the donor’s funds

3. A letter from the bank confirming:

The name(s) on the account
The type of account
That the funds are fully and freely withdrawable
The date the savings entered the account
The current balance

What if the savings come from a large one-off transaction?

You must also supply documents that trace the money from start to finish, such as:

A solicitor’s completion statement
Proof of the transfer into your account
Evidence showing you previously owned the asset (e.g., the property sold)

Can Digital Wallets Be Used to Prove Cash Savings?

The Short answer is generally, no. The Home Office requires that cash savings used for a spouse visa be:

Held in a regulated financial institution, and
Immediately accessible for withdrawal.

Most digital wallets and similar platforms do not meet these requirements. This includes:

PayPal
Skrill
Revolut (wallet balances, not UK bank accounts)
Wise “Balance” accounts
Cryptocurrency wallets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)

The problem is that these funds are typically not considered fully controlled bank deposits, and most digital wallets cannot provide the official statements or proof the Home Office requires, such as a 6-month transaction history and verification of fund ownership.

When digital wallets might work

Some digital providers that operate fully regulated UK bank accounts may qualify but only if they can provide:

Official bank statements covering the 6-month minimum holding period
Proof the funds are freely withdrawable at any time
Confirmation of account ownership

Even in these cases, relying on digital wallets can be risky. The Home Office scrutinises evidence very closely, and mistakes can lead to a visa refusal.

Tip: If you are considering using a digital provider for savings, speak to an immigration expert first to ensure your funds will meet the financial requirement. Immigration lawyers at Mulgrave Law, can review your accounts and advise on whether your digital savings can be accepted.

Can Overseas Savings Be Used?

Yes, overseas bank accounts do qualify, provided they meet Home Office conditions:

Funds must be convertible to GBP
You must provide official translations for documents
The account must be held in a regulated financial institution in that country
Full 6-month statements must be included

Many applicants successfully rely on savings from:

UAE
USA
India
Pakistan
South Africa
Europe

Lawyers at Mulgrave Law assist clients globally with their immigration matters, Book a consultation with an expert today.

Complete our simple online enquiry form on our Contact page, or
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Most Searched FAQs About Cash Savings for UK Spouse Visa (2025)

How to prove cash savings for a spouse visa?

You must submit:

6 months of bank statements
A bank letter confirming funds are accessible
Documents showing the source of the funds

Savings must be in your or your partner’s name.

Can digital wallets be used to prove cash savings for a spouse visa?

In most cases no, because they do not meet Home Office regulations for accessible cash savings. Traditional bank accounts are recommended.

What is the cash savings requirement for a UK spouse visa in 2025?

As of 2025, the financial requirement has increased with the new £29,000 minimum income threshold. Depending on your situation, the cash savings requirement is as follows:

£88,500 if relying on savings alone (no income)

A lower amount if combining savings with income, calculated using the Home Office formula:

Cash savings required = £16,000 + (income shortfall × 2.5)

This formula ensures that any shortfall between your actual income and the £29,000 requirement can be covered with savings. The calculation applies whether your savings are held in the UK or overseas, as long as they meet Home Office rules.

How long do I need to hold cash savings for a spouse visa?

The money must be held for at least 6 months, fully accessible, and in a regulated financial institution.

Can I use a gift from a parent as cash savings?

Yes, as long as you provide:

Gift letter
Bank statements from the donor
Proof the funds are not repayable
6 months of statements showing the funds in your account

Can I use savings from selling property?

Yes, property sale proceeds are permitted. You must include:

Sale completion documents
Proof of ownership
Proof of deposit of funds into your bank
6-month statements

Can I combine cash savings with employment income?

Yes, this is common and can significantly reduce the amount of savings needed.

Do I need to pay tax on my cash savings before applying?

No. Tax is not relevant for the purpose of meeting the financial requirement. The Home Office only assesses the net balance held over 6 months.

Conclusion: Cash Savings Are a Powerful Option for Meeting the UK Spouse Visa Requirement

Cash savings remain one of the most flexible and reliable ways to meet the UK Spouse Visa financial requirement, especially for couples where one partner is living overseas, self-employed, or temporarily unable to work in the UK. By relying on savings, applicants can sometimes avoid the stress of proving employment income, while still meeting Home Office requirements.

The key to success is preparing the right documentation and calculating your required amount accurately. This includes:

Ensuring savings have been held for at least 6 months
Keeping funds in a regulated financial institution
Demonstrating the legal source of the money
Calculating the correct amount based on the £29,000 minimum income threshold and any income shortfall

With careful planning, many applicants are able to secure their spouse visa using savings alone or a combination of savings and income, without unnecessary delays or complications.

At Mulgrave Law, our immigration lawyers specialise in spouse visa applications. We provide personalised advice, review your savings and supporting documents, and ensure your application meets all Home Office requirements.

Book a Free initial consultation today and let us guide you step by step to maximise your chances of a successful visa application.

Using Cash Savings to Meet the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement (2025 Guide)