Who is exempt from the £29,000 spouse visa rule?

Sponsors receiving certain benefits

If the UK sponsor receives one of the specified benefits, the minimum income requirement does not apply. The specified benefits include Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Armed Forces Independence Payment and certain war-related pensions.

Adequate maintenance instead

Being exempt from the £29,000 minimum income requirement does not necessarily mean there is no financial requirement. Where a specified qualifying benefit applies, the case may instead be assessed under the adequate-maintenance rules. Adequate maintenance means showing that the couple's income after housing costs is at least what a comparable British family would receive on Income Support. This is a different calculation, and it must be properly evidenced.

Exceptional circumstances

If the requirement is not met, the Home Office must still consider whether refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the couple or a child. In that case, other credible sources of income — such as third-party support or the applicant's prospective earnings — can be taken into account.

Other situations

• A person who first entered the partner route before 11 April 2024 and continues with the same partner may remain subject to the transitional £18,600 minimum income requirement rather than £29,000.
• Applications under the Appendix EU or protection-related family routes follow different rules.

Figures checked against GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk on 3 October 2026. Fees and rules change; always confirm the current position on GOV.UK before applying.