Meeting the UK Partner Visa Financial Requirement as a Company Director: A Guide for Swiss Residents

If you are a Swiss resident planning to join your British or settled partner in the UK under an Appendix FM spouse or partner visa, you must meet the financial requirement set by the UK Home Office. As of 2024, the minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year. There is no longer a separate financial requirement for children.

For applicants whose partner (or the applicant themselves, if in the UK with work permission) is a company director of a specified limited company, specific evidential requirements must be met to satisfy the financial criteria.

How Company Directors Can Meet the Financial Requirement

There are two main ways in which a company director can demonstrate meeting the UK spouse or partner visa financial requirement:

Category F: Using the Last Financial Year

Under Category F, the income from the most recent full financial year is used to determine eligibility. This option applies if:

• The applicant’s partner (or the applicant, if applicable) is a director of a specified limited company in the UK at the time of the visa application.

• The business has completed at least one full financial year.

  
  

Category G: Using the Last Two Financial Years

Category G allows applicants to use an average of the income received over the two most recent full financial years to meet the financial requirement. This method is beneficial if income fluctuates year-on-year.

Definition of a Specified Limited Company

A specified limited company under UK immigration rules must meet these conditions:

• The applicant or their partner is a director or employee (or both) of the company.

• The company shares are owned by the applicant, their partner, or close family members (such as parents, siblings, grandparents, or children).

• Fewer than five other individuals hold any remaining shares.

  
  

If the company is registered outside the UK, it will not qualify as a specified limited company. In such cases, alternative income sources should be considered, such as employment income or self-employment.

Mandatory Financial Evidence for Company Directors

To satisfy the UK partner visa financial requirement as a company director, the following documents must be submitted:

• Company Tax Return (CT600) for the last financial year (filed with HMRC, with proof of submission).

• Companies House Registration (confirming directorship status).

• Corporate bank statements covering the same 12-month period as the CT600.

• Current Appointment Report from Companies House.

• Business premises proof (lease agreement or property ownership documents).

• HMRC Employer Registration proof (if the company employs staff).

• VAT registration certificate (if applicable).

Salary from the Company

If the director also receives a salary, additional documents are required:

• Payslips and P60 for the last financial year.

• Personal bank statements showing salary payments.

  
  

Dividends from the Company

If the director is also receiving dividends, they must provide:

• Dividend vouchers (stating company details and amounts received).

• Personal bank statements showing dividends paid.

Failure to provide the correct documentation in the specified format can result in the visa application being refused.

Combining Income Sources to Meet the Requirement

For applicants whose company income alone does not meet the £29,000 threshold, certain sources can be combined, including:

• Salaried or non-salaried employment income.

• Non-employment income (e.g., property rental, dividends, pensions).

However, cash savings cannot be combined with company director income (Category F or G) to meet the requirement.

Expert Legal Advice for Swiss Applicants

Applying for a UK spouse or partner visa as a company director involves complex evidential requirements. Our team of specialist UK immigration lawyers can guide you through the process and ensure your application meets all necessary criteria.

For personalised legal assistance, contact Richmond Chambers Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our online enquiry form.