Appendix FM Financial Requirement 2026 — Translating Proof
The £29,000 Minimum Income Requirement is only the start. What UKVI really checks is your evidence. Here's how we translate each category so your Spouse, Partner or Fiancé(e) visa holds together.
Appendix FM sets out six main "categories" of financial evidence: A, B, C, D, E and F. Each category has its own rules about which documents count and how you must present them. If your income comes from abroad, you will usually use Category A, B, D, E or F. All of them need certified English translations when the documents are in another language. This 2026 guide covers the translation side of that evidence.
A note on the 2024 £29,000 threshold
The minimum income threshold rose from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024. It still applies in 2026. More planned rises are on hold while they are reviewed. Aim for the threshold that applies on the date of the decision. Check the Home Office caseworker guidance before you apply.
The Six Categories Explained
| Category | Who uses it | Key translated documents |
|---|---|---|
| A — Salaried employment | Sponsor employed 6+ months with same employer | 6 payslips, employer letter, bank statements |
| B — Variable salary | Employed <6 months or variable pay | 12 payslips, annual tax summary, employer letter |
| C — Non-employment income | Property rental, dividends, maintenance | Contracts, dividend vouchers, tax returns |
| D — Cash savings | £88,500+ held for 6+ months | 6 months of bank statements, source-of-funds letter |
| E — Pension income | State or occupational pension recipients | Pension statements, bank statements |
| F — Self-employment | Self-employed or company director | Full tax return, company accounts, business bank |
Translation Treatment by Category
Category A & B — Salaried and Variable
Foreign payslips are translated line by line. Gross pay, net pay, deductions and employer contributions are all kept separate. We translate annual bonuses and 13th-month payments too, but we label them clearly as "discretionary". That way UKVI can see they are left out of the £29,000 sum. Employer reference letters follow UK style: start date, job title, yearly gross salary, and proof that the job continues.
Category C — Non-Employment Income
Rental income from property is the most common Category C case for foreign sponsors. We translate the tenancy agreement, the tax return that shows the rental income, and the bank statements that show the money coming in. The translator keeps gross rent separate from net income, because UKVI counts the gross figure after allowable expenses.
Category D — Savings
You must hold the £88,500 in savings for 6 months without a break. Bank statements are translated with dates in UK format and decimal separators converted. We keep every transaction description, so UKVI can see there are no sudden, unexplained jumps above the threshold. We also translate source-of-funds letters (inheritance, property sale, gift deeds) as supporting evidence.
Category E — Pension
Pension income from state providers (Germany's Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Spain's Seguridad Social, and so on) needs both the yearly statement and the monthly slips. Our pension statement translation guide covers this category in depth.
Category F — Self-Employed
This category needs the most translation work. We translate tax returns, balance sheets, business bank statements and accountant letters. Tax year dates are matched to UKVI's financial year. See our self-employed income translation guide for specifics.
The £29,000 Calculation and Currency
UKVI converts foreign currency using the OANDA closing rate on the date you apply. We never convert money as translators. We keep foreign amounts exactly as they are. When UKVI needs to see yearly or monthly figures, we keep the original calculation (for example, "€2.450,00 mensile × 13 = €31.850,00 annuo") and translate the sum itself. That way the maths stays easy to follow.
Three Appendix FM translation mistakes UKVI refusals hinge on
- Leaving out the back pages of bank statements that show overdrafts. This makes the statement look incomplete.
- Treating Italian 13th and 14th-month pay as part of the base salary. This makes the yearly figure look too high.
- Dropping the employer's tax ID from the payroll slip. UKVI uses it to check with the local version of HMRC.
What a Complete Appendix FM Translation Bundle Looks Like
- Certified translation of every foreign-language document in the financial evidence stack.
- One certification page per document. It shows the translator's credentials and states that the translation is true and complete.
- The same UK date format and punctuation in every document, so UKVI can compare them easily.
- Every stamp, seal, QR code and signature shown as a labelled block. Nothing is left out.
- Names from non-Latin scripts written in Latin letters, with the original kept in brackets.
Turnaround and Cost
- Category A/B bundle (6–12 payslips + employer letter): 2–3 working days.
- Category D savings (6 months of bank statements): 3 working days (pages priced individually).
- Category F (self-employed with accounts): 4–5 working days for a complete bundle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix categories — for example pension plus savings?
Yes. Categories C + D, D + E and similar mixes are clearly allowed. We translate each category the same way. Doing the financial sums is UKVI's job.
My sponsor is in the UK but the income source is abroad. Which documents need translation?
Only the ones in another language. UK payslips, P60s and bank statements do not need translation. Foreign-language letters, statements and tax office documents do.
We have savings in a country with currency controls. Does that affect the translation?
The translation is the same. But UKVI checks closely whether you can convert and move the savings. We often translate a supporting letter from the bank that confirms the money is not restricted. This is essential for Category D where currency controls apply.
Does the translation need to be bound with the originals?
UKVI usually accepts digital bundles uploaded with the online application. We pair each translation with its original document on the same page or the next one. If you apply in person, we supply stapled, sealed booklets.
My payslip has a QR code verifying authenticity. Do you translate that?
We show the QR code as a labelled block and keep the web address it holds. UKVI can use that link to check the payslip themselves, which makes your evidence stronger.
Related Services
Family Visa Translation
Certified translations for Spouse, Partner and Fiancé(e) visas.
Financial Document Translation
Translation of payslips, bank statements and income evidence.
Spanish Translation
Spanish payslips and income evidence translated for Appendix FM.
Italian Translation
Italian buste paga and CUD translated for UK financial requirements.
Polish Translation
Polish payslips and PIT returns translated for Appendix FM.
Continue Reading
Foreign Payslip Translation
Deep-dive on translating payslips for UK visa income requirements.
Self-Employed Income Translation
Category F translation for Spouse visa self-employed income.
Pension Statement Translation
Category E translation for Spouse visa pension income.