Can a gap in employment affect income requirement?

Sorry to ask two separate questions in the same day. They're different subjects so I thought it might be more helpful to other people if I put them in separate threads.

My wife and I left New York in mid July. We took 6 weeks off and then embarked on a fun-filled UK job-search.

So this obviously means I haven't worked since mid July. Thanks to the amazingly weak post-Brexit pound I've still earned more than 18,600 over the past 12 months. But I was wondering, is there any issue about not being continuously employed up until the point of applying for the spouse visa? I don't think there is but wanted to check. We're hopefully beginning the application next week.

Thanks very much,
Craig

Nope.  So long as you've earned £18,600 in the previous 12 months and have a job offer starting in the next 3 months, you will qualify.  A gap isn't an issue.   

Thanks KF - that's the second time today I've benefitted from your giant brain. 

Oh and I forgot I had another question about income:

I've carefully kept all of my pay stubs from the job I left in July, to prove the income requirement.

Do I also need a letter from that same previous employer, in addition to the pay stubs? I didn't think so but have read a couple of things today that have confused me a bit.

Thanks 

No, for the previous 12 months evidence of income you just need:
- 12 months of original payslips
- 12 months of original bank statements showing the deposit of every single payslip


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Thanks ksand. And by original it's acceptable to print out online statements? I don't have to get the bank to post me originals do I?

No, online printouts aren't acceptable on their own.

You either need:

- original statements printed by the bank themselves (either mailed to you or printed in-branch)
Or
- online banking statements that are either: a) stamped/signed by the bank on every single page or b) accompanied by a letter from the bank on official stationery confirming their authenticity

You can find the specifics of this in Appendix FM-SE I the UKVI website.


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Got it - thanks - much appreciated.