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<p>The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected
by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these
exceptional circumstances into account.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a spouse or partner
and relevant dependent children applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite
leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose
of the minimum income requirement:</p><p> </p><ul><li>A temporary loss of employment
income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19, will be disregarded provided
the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020.</li><li>An applicant
or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will
be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.</li><li>A temporary loss of annual income
due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded
for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same
period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment
Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account.</li><li>Evidential flexibility
may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified
evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The minimum income requirement
can also be met in several ways in addition to or instead of income from employment
or self-employment. For example, income from investments, property rental or pension
may also be taken into account, together with cash savings.</p>
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