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Navigating UK Partner Visa Financial Requirements: Can a Family Gift Help?

Meeting the financial requirement for a UK Partner or Durable Partner visa can often be one of the most challenging aspects of the application process. Many individuals and couples find themselves in situations where traditional income streams, such as self-employment, might be complex to evidence or fluctuate. A common question we, as UK Immigration Lawyers, receive is whether cash savings, particularly those received as a gift from family members, can be used to satisfy this crucial requirement.

The good news is, under the latest UK Immigration Rules, cash savings, including those generously gifted by family, can indeed be a viable route to meeting the financial threshold. However, there are specific and strict rules that must be adhered to.

Key Immigration Rules for Using Gifted Cash Savings

If you are considering relying on cash savings, especially a gift from a family member, for your UK Partner or Durable Partner visa application, here are the essential points you need to understand:

  1. Permitted Source of Funds: The UK Immigration Rules explicitly state that cash savings can be from any legal source, and this includes gifts from family members or other third parties. The crucial element here is transparency: the source of these funds must be clearly declared in your application. This declaration helps the Home Office understand the legitimacy of the funds and confirms they are not, for example, a loan.

  2. Ownership and Control: The gifted funds must be held in a personal bank or savings account in the name of the applicant, their partner, or jointly by both. It is imperative that the applicant and/or their partner can demonstrate that they have full control over this money and that it is not borrowed or subject to any conditions that would prevent its immediate use.

  3. The 6-Month Holding Period: This is a critical requirement. The entire sum of cash savings being relied upon must have been held in the relevant bank account(s) for a continuous period of at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of your visa application. Throughout this 6-month period, the balance must not have dropped below the required minimum amount. This rule is designed to prove the genuine availability and stability of the funds.

  4. Accessibility of Funds: The savings must be held in 'cash' or readily convertible to cash. This means the funds must be liquid and immediately accessible, even if there's a penalty for early withdrawal. Funds tied up in illiquid investments or property equity generally do not count.

  5. Regulated Financial Institution: The bank or savings account where the funds are held must be with a financial institution that is regulated by the appropriate regulatory body in the country where it operates. This applies whether the account is in the UK or overseas. If the funds are in a foreign currency, the Home Office will convert the amount to GBP using the official exchange rate on the date of application.

  6. Meeting the Financial Threshold: For new applications submitted on or after 11 April 2024, if you are relying solely on cash savings, the required amount is generally £88,500. While it is possible to combine cash savings with certain other income sources, it's important to note that combining cash savings with self-employment income can be complex under the standard calculations. If self-employment income is difficult to evidence consistently at the required level, relying entirely on cash savings (provided the £88,500 threshold is met) can often be a more straightforward path.

Essential Documentary Evidence

To successfully rely on gifted cash savings, you will need to provide:

  • Comprehensive Bank Statements: These must cover the full 6-month period immediately before your application, clearly showing the continuous holding of the required funds.

  • Declaration of Gift: A signed declaration from the person who gifted the funds (e.g., the applicant's father) confirming that the money is an irrevocable gift, its source, and that it is now under the full control of the applicant/partner and not a loan.

How Visa Solutions Can Help

Understanding and meticulously meeting these requirements is paramount for a successful application. For those with complex financial situations, such as self-employment, leveraging cash savings can provide a robust way to satisfy the financial requirement.

As UK Immigration Lawyers, we are here to provide expert guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. We can help you navigate the intricacies of the financial requirement, ensure all necessary documentation is in order, and present a strong case to the Home Office.



General Information Notice: Please note that the content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal immigration advice. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on this free information.

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