A practical framework for spouse visa applications involving company-director salary, dividends, business accounts and the specified evidence rules.
01
Identify the legal income category before gathering documents.
Family visa applications distinguish different sources of income and prescribe documentary requirements under Appendix FM-SE. Salary, dividends, company ownership and self-employment may interact differently depending on the business structure and the applicant's role.
The current general partner minimum-income figure and transitional arrangements must be checked at the actual date of application. A household first applying after the relevant rule change may face a different threshold from a couple extending qualifying earlier permission with the same partner.
02
Reconcile the company record with the personal income record.
Company accounts, corporation-tax material, payslips, dividend evidence, personal bank statements and ownership information should support a coherent picture for the relevant period. An accountant's summary is useful but may not replace specifically required primary evidence.
Different accounting dates, retained profits, director's loans, recent salary changes or distributions after the end of the relevant financial period can each alter the answer. Treat funds held by the company and income actually available to the applicant as separate questions.
03
Choose the application date around the evidence that exists.
The right application window can depend on the business's accounting cycle, available filed documentation and the current immigration expiry. A financially strong case can still be refused if the prescribed documents do not cover the correct period or are not available when required.
Where the ordinary minimum-income route is difficult, consider whether a different permitted income category, qualifying savings, transitional provision or exception is genuinely available. Do not assume discretion will repair missing specified evidence.