A practical guide for spouses, unmarried partners, fiance applicants and sponsors reviewing employment income, savings, self-employment, overseas income, accommodation, relationship evidence and future renewal or settlement planning.
As checked on GOV.UK, most partner applicants need combined income of at least £29,000, but transitional rules and benefit-based exceptions can change the test. Confirm the category before collecting evidence.
Partner and spouse matters often become weak when clients collect documents before identifying the correct income route. Employment, savings, self-employment, pension, overseas income and mixed sources each need different proof.
The review should identify the route first, then test whether the evidence actually matches that route.
| Evidence area | What to clarify | Common weakness | UKIMMI focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial route | Employment, savings, self-employment, pension or mixed income | Documents are strong but matched to the wrong evidence route | Income route snapshot |
| Evidence period | Which months, payslips, bank statements or accounts matter? | Timing gaps, missing statements or inconsistent figures | Evidence period check |
| Relationship | Marriage, civil partnership, durable partnership or fiance route | Large bundle without a clear relationship timeline | Relationship evidence map |
| Accommodation | Where the couple or family will live in the UK | Housing evidence is disconnected from the sponsor or household | Accommodation issue list |
| Dependants | Children, custody, school timing and travel permissions | Children are treated as an afterthought | Family member risk view |
High earners, founders, contractors, directors, overseas workers and clients using savings can still face evidence problems if income categories are mixed without a clear explanation. The financial story should be easy to follow and tied to the chosen route.
Figures, dates, bank deposits and employer letters should align.
Source, holding period and account evidence should be checked early.
Business and personal records should support the chosen route.
A partner route also needs a coherent relationship, accommodation and family context. The strongest matters connect the financial route with the relationship timeline, housing position, dependants and future renewal plan.
Clients should understand how the first application affects future extension, five-year route planning, income evidence, residence, absences and ILR timing. A first grant is not the end of the family route.
If the route is unclear, start with assessment or strategy. If the route is clear but income and relationship evidence are complex, use family evidence planning or readiness review. If there is a refusal, overstaying or a legal issue that needs regulated advice, referral may be required.
Once you have identified a route, deadline or evidence concern, the next step is to match it to the level of review it needs.