Meeting the financial requirement is an important part of a UK Spouse Visa application. In the first part of this series, " UK Spouse Visa Requirements: What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Your Relationship? ” we looked at the financial requirement and the documents you may need to provide.
In this second part, we focus specifically on the Cash Savings Route. We explain how the £88,500 requirement works, how long the savings generally need to be held, where the money can be kept, whose name the account can be in, and what evidence you need to provide.
For applicants and sponsors based in the UAE applying for a UK Spouse Visa , understanding these requirements before applying can make the financial documentation much easier to prepare.
What Is the Cash Savings Route?
In general, the route is available to individuals with a qualifying connection to a British citizen or the individual with a specific status who sponsors them.
If you are married, this marriage or civil partnership has to be acknowledged by the UK requirements. Moreover, you will usually need to prove your intention to live together with your partner in the UK. Being legally married is crucial to your application; however, this aspect alone is not enough for immigration officers to think about your case.
What Relationship Evidence Is Needed?
The Cash Savings Route allows applicants or their British sponsors to meet the UK Spouse Visa financial requirement using eligible cash savings, without relying on employment income.
When relying entirely on cash savings to meet the £29,000 financial requirement, you generally need to show £88,500 in qualifying savings.
Key Takeaway: This guide focuses specifically on meeting the financial requirement through cash savings alone, rather than combining savings with employment or overseas income.
Does a Marriage Certificate Prove the Relationship?
The certificate of marriage is proof that a marriage has taken place; however, it is not necessarily the only proof that must be included in the application.
This is most relevant in cases when couples have been living in various places for long periods.
In order for the application to be good, it must establish a coherent timeline. Different dates concerning marriage, visitation, work, places of residence, etc. should fit together.
In case of any unusual cases like meeting and marriage within a very short time or many years apart, it would be better to provide explanations, so that there are fewer assumptions taken by the decision-maker.
Why Is £88,500 Required?
The £88,500 requirement is based on the specific calculation set out in the UK Immigration Rules. It is designed to ensure that applicants relying on savings alone can meet the required financial threshold for the initial visa period. Although the amount may seem high, the Cash Savings Route can be a straightforward option for applicants or sponsors who have sufficient funds available.
However, it is not enough to simply have £88,500 in a bank account. The savings must also meet the relevant requirements regarding ownership, how long the funds have been held, accessibility, and the supporting evidence provided with the application.
How Long Must the £88,500 Be Held?
The holding period is one of the most important requirements when applying under the Cash Savings Route:
- Six-Month Rule: The required cash savings generally need to have been held in an eligible account for at least six consecutive months immediately before the date of the visa application.
- Continuous Maintenance: Your bank statements should show that the required level of savings was maintained throughout the relevant six-month period.
- Recent Deposits: If a significant amount of money was deposited shortly before applying, you will need to provide evidence explaining the source of the funds and showing that the money meets the relevant requirements. Certain sources, such as proceeds from the sale of a property or the liquidation of qualifying investments, may be subject to different rules.
Core Rule: Having the required amount in your account is not enough on its own. You also need to meet the applicable holding-period requirements and provide clear evidence of the funds.
Does the Money Have to Be in a UK Bank Account?
No. The savings do not have to be held in a UK bank account.
Qualifying savings can be held with a financial institution regulated by the relevant banking authority in the country where it operates, such as the Central Bank of the UAE. The account must also meet the applicable requirements for access to the funds.
For example, a British sponsor or applicant living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can hold the required £88,500 in an eligible UAE bank account. The savings can be held in UAE Dirhams (AED), US Dollars (USD), or another permitted foreign currency, subject to the applicable UKVI requirements.
Whose Bank Account Can the Savings Be Held In?
The cash savings can be held in an eligible account under the name of:
- The British sponsor/partner
- The visa applicant
- Both the sponsor and applicant jointly
Can the British Sponsor Hold the Savings Outside the UAE or UK?
Yes. The savings do not have to be held in either the UAE or the UK. They can be kept in an eligible overseas bank account, provided the financial institution and account meet the relevant UKVI requirements and the funds are accessible as required.
The savings can also be held across more than one account or in different countries, as long as each account meets the applicable requirements and the necessary evidence is provided.
If the savings are held in a foreign currency, such as AED or USD, UKVI will convert the balance into British Pounds Sterling (£) using the applicable exchange rate on the date of the visa application.
Do the Savings Have to Stay in One Account?
Not necessarily. The required savings can be spread across multiple eligible accounts.
For example, you could have £50,000 in one savings account and £38,500 in another. As long as the accounts meet the relevant requirements, the combined savings can be considered.
You will need to provide complete bank statements and supporting evidence for each account so that UKVI can verify the funds and their history.
What Type of Account Can Be Used?
The savings should be held in a personal account with an appropriately regulated financial institution, and the funds must meet the applicable requirements for accessibility.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible accounts may include:
- Current accounts
- Instant-access savings accounts
- Deposit accounts, provided the funds can be accessed in accordance with the relevant requirements
- Certain investment or pension accounts where the funds meet the requirements for qualifying cash savings
Where Did the Money Come From? (Source of Funds)
Showing the required bank balance is only part of the process. Applicants also need to explain where the savings came from and provide evidence to support the source of the funds.
You will need to provide a signed declaration explaining how the savings were obtained or accumulated, along with any supporting documents relevant to your circumstances.
Common legitimate sources include:
- Salaries and employment savings
- Proceeds from the sale of a property
- Money from the sale or liquidation of stocks, shares or investment portfolios
- Inheritance or cash gifts, provided the funds meet the relevant requirements
Audit Trail Flow: Investment/Property Ownership ➔ Sale/Transfer ➔ Cash in Bank ➔ Submission
Property or Investment Proceeds: If your £88,500 comes from the sale of a property or the liquidation of certain investments, specific rules may allow you to use these funds without holding the full amount as cash for six months. The relevant ownership and other requirements must be met, and you will need to provide documents showing the ownership, sale or liquidation, and transfer of the funds.
Summary Checklist for UAE Applicants
Before submitting your application, make sure you have:
- At least £88,500 in qualifying cash savings (or the equivalent amount in AED or another foreign currency) if you are relying on savings alone.
- Met the applicable six-month holding requirement.
- Kept the savings in an account in the name of the applicant, sponsor, or both jointly.
- Held the funds with an appropriately regulated financial institution that meets the relevant accessibility requirements.
- Complete bank statements covering the required period.
- A declaration explaining the source of the savings, along with supporting documents showing where the funds came from.
Common Mistakes to Avoid?
The savings should be held in a personal account with an appropriately regulated financial institution, and the funds must meet the applicable requirements for accessibility.
- Adding money shortly before applying: A large recent deposit without clear evidence of where the money came from can raise questions about whether the savings meet the requirements.
- Assuming the funds must be held in the UK: They do not. Qualifying savings can be held in overseas accounts, including accounts in the UAE, as long as the relevant requirements are met.
- Using a third-party account: Savings held solely in a family member's or another third party's name cannot simply be counted towards the applicant's or sponsor's cash savings.
- Ignoring foreign currency: If your savings are held in AED or another foreign currency, the funds will be converted into pounds using the applicable exchange rate on the date of the visa application. It is important to make sure you have sufficient funds to meet the required amount at the time of application.
Read Part 1: UK Spouse Visa Requirements: What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Your Relationship?
Disclaimer: Immigration rules and financial thresholds are subject to change. Consult Miller & Carter’s UK immigration legal team in London or Dubai for personalized case assessments before submitting your application.