UK Partner Visa Financial Rules for Swiss Residents

For Swiss citizens, foreign nationals resident in Switzerland and Switzerland-based families planning a move to the UK, the financial requirement is often one of the most important parts of a UK Partner or Family visa application. This article concerns UK immigration law only. It explains the main financial routes under Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE of the UK Immigration Rules, with practical points for applicants applying from Switzerland or relying on Swiss income, savings or assets.

This article is for applicants in Switzerland who wish to join a British or settled partner in the UK, couples returning to the UK after working in Switzerland, Swiss-resident sponsors with UK job offers, and families deciding whether to rely on employment income, savings, pension income, rental income or self-employment evidence. It is also relevant to applicants extending a UK partner route where transitional financial rules may apply.

When Does the £29,000 Minimum Income Requirement Apply?

For most new Appendix FM partner-route applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement is £29,000 gross per year. This includes new applications as a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner. Unlike the previous rules, the £29,000 threshold does not increase because dependent children are included.

Applicants who first applied successfully as a partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner before 11 April 2024 may fall within transitional arrangements if they remain on the five-year route and apply to stay with the same partner. In those cases, the threshold is usually £18,600, with additional sums for relevant children, capped at £29,000. Applicants on the ten-year route do not benefit from those transitional arrangements.

Some applicants do not need to meet the minimum income threshold at all. For example, where the sponsor receives certain disability, carer or related benefits, the application is normally assessed under the adequate maintenance and accommodation test instead. Parents applying under the five-year parent route are also usually assessed by reference to adequate maintenance rather than the minimum income threshold.

Can Swiss Income Be Used for a UK Partner Visa?

A key distinction for Switzerland-based applicants is whose income can be counted. An applicant’s own Swiss employment or self-employment income will generally not count if the applicant is applying from outside the UK. By contrast, the applicant’s income may count where the applicant is already in the UK with permission to work.

A UK-based or returning sponsor may be able to rely on overseas employment income, including Swiss employment income, but the correct category matters. Under Category A, the sponsor must normally have been with the same employer for at least six months and earning the level relied upon during that period. Where the sponsor is returning to the UK, there must also be a confirmed UK job offer starting within three months of return.

Under Category B, the sponsor may have changed jobs recently or have variable income. This category requires two separate assessments: current or prospective UK employment income, and actual gross income received during the 12 months before the application. For a returning sponsor, a confirmed UK job offer starting within three months is required, and cash savings cannot be used for the backward-looking 12-month income assessment.

Cash Savings Held in Swiss Accounts

Cash savings can be a valuable route for Swiss residents. Category D allows savings above £16,000 to be counted if they are held by the applicant, the partner, or both jointly, under their control and evidenced in the required way. At entry clearance and further permission stages, the formula is:

Savings required = £16,000 + 2.5 times the income shortfall.

Where the £29,000 threshold applies and cash savings alone are relied upon, the required amount is £88,500. Where the transitional £18,600 threshold applies without relevant children, the usual savings-only figure is £62,500.

Swiss bank accounts may be used if the evidence meets Appendix FM-SE. Bank evidence must show the required funds throughout the relevant six-month period, and the account holder must provide a declaration explaining the source of the funds. Foreign currency is converted into sterling using the applicable exchange rate at the date of application, so CHF fluctuations can affect eligibility.

Investments, Property Sales and Swiss Assets

Savings do not always need to have sat as cash for the full six months. Funds can come from investments, stocks, shares, bonds, trust funds or certain pension funds, provided the underlying asset was owned and controlled for the required period and the transfer into cash is properly evidenced.

Property sale proceeds may also count, including proceeds from Swiss property, if the property was owned at the required time and only the net proceeds are relied upon after mortgage repayment, tax and professional costs. Where property was jointly owned with a third party, only the applicant’s or partner’s share can be counted.

Rental Income, Pensions and Other Non-Employment Income

Category C covers specified non-employment income, including rental income, dividends, investment income, interest, maintenance payments, certain grants or stipends, insurance payments, legal settlement payments and royalties. Swiss rental income may potentially count if the property is owned by the relevant person and the income is evidenced in accordance with Appendix FM-SE. Equity in a property is not income, although sale proceeds may potentially be used as cash savings.

Category E covers pension income, including foreign pension income. This may be relevant for Swiss residents receiving Swiss pension or private pension income. The pension must normally have become a source of income at least 28 days before the application, and official evidence of entitlement and amount will be required.

Self-Employment and Company Income

Self-employment and income from a specified limited company are more technical. Category F uses income from the last full financial year, while Category G allows reliance on the average of the last two full financial years. For UK sole traders, partners and franchise holders, the relevant year is the HMRC tax year. For overseas self-employment, including Swiss self-employment, the relevant financial year follows the taxation system of the country concerned.

Current cash savings cannot normally be combined with Category F or G income. This is a common planning issue for entrepreneurs, consultants and company directors moving from Switzerland to the UK.

Appendix FM-SE Evidence and the 28-Day Rule

Appendix FM-SE is strict about specified evidence. Employment cases usually require payslips, corresponding bank statements and an employer letter containing prescribed information. For overseas employment, reasonable equivalent documents may be needed. For a returning sponsor’s UK job offer, the employer letter and signed contract must confirm the role, salary and start date within three months of return.

Where evidence relates to a period ending with the date of application, the most recent part of that evidence must usually be dated no earlier than 28 days before the date of application. Swiss bank statements, employer letters, pension confirmations and translations should therefore be prepared carefully before submission.

What If the Financial Requirement Is Not Met?

If the financial requirement is not met, an application may still need to be considered under the exceptional circumstances and human rights provisions in Appendix FM. This is not a simple discretion to overlook missing evidence. The application should explain the family circumstances, the effect of refusal and any children’s best interests, supported by clear evidence.

Contact Our Immigration Lawyers In Switzerland

Richmond Chambers Switzerland advises Swiss citizens, foreign nationals resident in Switzerland and Switzerland-based families on UK Partner and Family visa applications, including financial requirement planning, Appendix FM-SE evidence, returning sponsor cases, Swiss savings, pensions, rental income and appeals following refusal. We can help identify the correct financial category, test the evidence before submission and address risks before the application is filed.

To arrange an initial consultation meeting, contact Richmond Chambers Switzerland by telephone on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form.

Frequently Asked Questions: UK Partner Visa Financial Rules for Swiss Residents

What is the UK Partner Visa minimum income requirement for Swiss residents?

For most new UK Partner Visa applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement is £29,000 gross per year. This applies to spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner applications under Appendix FM.

Can Swiss employment income be used for a UK Partner Visa application?

An applicant’s own Swiss employment income will generally not count if they are applying from outside the UK. However, a British or settled sponsor returning to the UK may be able to rely on Swiss employment income if the correct Appendix FM financial category is met.

Can a returning sponsor from Switzerland use a UK job offer?

Yes, a returning sponsor may be able to rely on overseas employment income together with a confirmed UK job offer. The UK job must normally start within three months of return and the evidence should confirm the role, salary and start date.

How much cash savings are needed for a UK Partner Visa from Switzerland?

Where the £29,000 income threshold applies and cash savings alone are relied upon, the required amount is usually £88,500. The savings must normally be held for the required six-month period and evidenced in line with Appendix FM-SE.

Can Swiss bank savings be used for the UK Partner Visa financial requirement?

Yes, cash savings held in Swiss bank accounts may be used if they are under the control of the applicant, partner or both jointly. The funds must be properly evidenced, the source of funds declared and the Swiss franc balance converted into sterling using the applicable exchange rate at the date of application.

Can Swiss property sale proceeds count towards the financial requirement?

Swiss property sale proceeds may potentially count as cash savings if the property was owned at the required time and the net proceeds are properly evidenced. Only the applicant’s or partner’s share can be relied upon, and deductions such as mortgage repayment, tax and professional costs should be taken into account.

Can Swiss pension or rental income be used for a UK Partner Visa?

Swiss pension income may fall under Category E, while Swiss rental income may potentially fall under Category C as non-employment income. The income must be from an accepted source and supported by the specified evidence required under Appendix FM-SE.

What happens if the UK Partner Visa financial requirement is not met?

If the financial requirement is not met, the application may still need to be considered under exceptional circumstances and human rights provisions. This is not a general discretion to ignore missing evidence, so the application should clearly explain the family circumstances, the impact of refusal and any children’s best interests.

This article summarises UK immigration law and guidance at the date of writing. Individual facts, evidence, Home Office discretion and procedural position may affect the outcome. It is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.