Key Points
- Six months or more with the same employer is the standard case.
- Gross pay is counted, before tax and National Insurance.
- Payslips, bank statements and the employer letter must agree with each other.
- If pay has varied, the lowest level in the period can be the figure used.
Salary and salaried employment
A salaried employee is paid a fixed annual amount. Where the salary has been at or above the threshold throughout the six months before the application, the annual salary is the figure counted.
If the salary rose during the six months, the calculation is normally based on the lowest level of pay in that period.
Non-salaried employment
People paid by the hour or by the shift, with earnings that vary, are assessed on their average pay across the six months, converted to an annual figure.
Length of employment and the relevant period
Six months with the current employer is the dividing line. Below that, a different calculation applies which looks back over twelve months.
Evidence
- Payslips covering the six months before the application
- Personal bank statements for the same period showing the net pay arriving
- A letter from the employer confirming the job title, gross annual salary, length of employment, how long the current salary has been paid and the type of contract
- A signed contract of employment where required
Overtime, bonuses and commission
Overtime, commission and bonuses can count where they have actually been received in the relevant period and appear on the payslips.
Combining applicant and sponsor income
For an application from overseas, only the sponsor's employment counts. When applying from inside the UK, the applicant's earnings can be added if they have permission to work.
Common evidence problems
- Payslips that do not match the amounts in the bank statements
- Cash wages that never reach a bank account
- An employer letter missing one of the required details
- Statutory maternity, paternity or sick pay not explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Does maternity pay count?
Yes. Statutory or contractual maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay can be counted, and a person on such leave can rely on their earnings before the leave began in the usual employment categories.
I have two jobs. Can I add them together?
Yes. Income from more than one job can be combined, with full evidence for each.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.