Hi friends, I am about to apply for the spouse visa but I'm really worried about the financial aspect.
I am going to be meeting the requirements using my self employment income. I have two businesses. 1st is a few years old, but second is only 6 months old. My question is, do you think I should include the second business into the application? Or if not, how should I separate the two?
I would really appreciate any input 🙏
Looking back at your previous posts it appears that you're the partner, not the applicant which is good as the applicant can't use their employment or self employment income unless already in the UK with permission to work.
To qualify, a business must have been trading for at least one year so the one you opened 6 months ago will not qualify.
You should only submit the required information for the original business.
7. In respect of self-employment in the UK as a partner, as a sole trader or in a franchise all of the following must be provided:
(a) Evidence of the amount of tax payable, paid and unpaid for the last full financial year.
(b) The following documents for the last full financial year, or for the last two such years (where those documents show the necessary level of gross profit as an average of those two years):
(i) annual self-assessment tax return to HMRC (a copy or print-out); and
(ii) Statement of Account (SA300 or SA302).
(c) Proof of registration with HMRC as self-employed if available.
(d) Each partner’s Unique Tax Reference Number (UTR) and/or the UTR of the partnership or business.
(e) Where the person holds or held a separate business bank account(s), bank statements for the same 12-month period as the tax return(s).
(f) personal bank statements for the same 12-month period as the tax return(s) showing that the income from self-employment has been paid into an account in the name of the person or in the name of the person and their partner jointly.
(g) Evidence of ongoing self-employment through the provision of at least one of the following: a bank statement dated no more than three months earlier than the date of application showing transactions relating to ongoing trading, or evidence dated no more than three months earlier than the date of application of the renewal of a licence to trade or of ongoing payment of business rates, business-related insurance premiums, employer National Insurance contributions or franchise payments to the parent company.
(h) One of the following documents must also be submitted:
(i) (aa) If the business is required to produce annual audited accounts, such accounts for the last full financial year; or
(bb) If the business is not required to produce annual audited accounts, unaudited accounts for the last full financial year and an accountant’s certificate of confirmation, from an accountant who is a member of a UK Recognised Supervisory Body (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) or who is a member of the Institute of Financial Accountants, The Association of Authorised Public Accountants, The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the Association of International Accountants and The Association of Accounting Technicians;
(ii) A certificate of VAT registration and the VAT return for the last full financial year (a copy or print-out) confirming the VAT registration number, if turnover is in excess of £79,000 or was in excess of the threshold which applied during the last full financial year;
(iii) Evidence to show appropriate planning permission or local planning authority consent is held to operate the type/class of business at the trading address (where this is a local authority requirement); or
(iv) A franchise agreement signed by both parties.
(i) The document referred to in paragraph 7(h)(iv) must be provided if the organisation is a franchise.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidenceIn iterms of separating, I'd imagine that f you have, for example, declared both incomes on the same tax return I would probably include a spreadsheet or other illustration with the income for the second business deducted, showing that you still meet the requirement with the income from the first business alone.
Self employment is by far the most difficult method of proving the financial requirement though so you will need to be very certain of your position before you apply. If you are not sure (and none of us here are experts on the self employment category) it might be a good idea to consult with a visa service.
Medivisas in London are often recommended.
