Partner of a British citizen or settled person
Maintenance (funds)
This section is for the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person who is settled here who had applied on or before 8 July 2012 for a visa to come to the UK.
If you had not applied for a visa under this category by that date, please see the main Partners section for the different rules that apply to you.
This page explains how you can meet the maintenance (funds) requirement when you apply to enter or remain in the UK as the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled here.
You and/or your settled partner must demonstrate that you and/or they can cover your living expenses without recourse to public funds in the UK for:
- 27 months, if you are applying from outside the UK; or
- 2 years, if you are already in the UK and applying to switch from a different immigration category.
This is called your 'probationary period'.
You will not have access to most public funds (such as state benefits) during your probationary period. The maintenance requirements are designed to prevent the admission of persons who do not have realistic prospects of supporting themselves without recourse to public funds. The maintenance test will in most cases be based on the sponsor's income/employment and the applicant's employment prospects.
Consideration will also be given in cases where a friend or relative in the United Kingdom may offer financial assistance until the applicant is free to take employment.
The Evidence of maintenance page describes the documents that you should submit to prove that you meet this requirement.