Your Guide to Keeping Families Together Despite Financial Barriers
By Christian Aboagye
Social Worker | Mental Health Practitioner | Voice for the Marginalised | Immigration Policy Commentator
Introduction
The year 2025 has brought significant shifts to the UK immigration landscape. For families seeking to reunite under the Family Visa route, the biggest hurdle remains the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR)—now a flat £29,000 per year. But what happens when a sponsor doesn’t earn that much?
For many working-class Britons, carers, frontline health workers, and single parents—especially from the UK’s immigrant communities—this threshold is not just high, it feels unreachable. Yet there’s a lesser-known route still available: the Adequate Maintenance Test.
This article explores how this option works, who qualifies, and how to use it effectively. If you’re earning below £29k and determined to bring your loved one to the UK, this might be the route for you.
What is the Adequate Maintenance Test (AM Test)?
The Adequate Maintenance Test is an alternative to meeting the MIR. It applies only in specific circumstances, mostly when the UK-based sponsor is in receipt of certain benefits or allowances.
Rather than proving a set income level, you must demonstrate that—after paying housing costs—your household has enough income or savings left over to meet the basic standard of living, according to UK government figures (the same ones used for Income Support levels).
Who Can Use the AM Test?
You may qualify to use this test if you (or your partner) receive one or more of the following UK benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Guaranteed income payments from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
💡 Note: Not all benefits qualify. Universal Credit alone typically does not meet the threshold unless paired with one of the above.
How Does the AM Test Work in Practice?
The UK Home Office assesses whether, after rent or mortgage payments, you still have enough left to meet the standard weekly allowance based on your household size.
Example Calculation:
Let’s say you’re a single parent with one child and you receive Carer’s Allowance. You pay £650 per month in rent.
- Required Income (weekly):
£84.80 (you) + £66.40 (child) = £151.20 - Required Income (monthly):
£151.20 x 4.33 ≈ £655.69
So, after rent, you must have at least £655.69/month available for living expenses.
If your benefit income and/or savings can show this, you may pass the test.
Legal Expert Advice: How to Strengthen an AM Test Application
Top immigration solicitors stress the following tips:
✅ 1. Get the Maths Right
Include a clear breakdown of rent/mortgage, income, and living cost comparisons using the official figures.
✅ 2. Provide Strong Evidence
- Benefit award letters
- Recent rent statements
- Bank statements showing payments in and out
- Breakdown of household members
- Any additional support (e.g., child maintenance)
✅ 3. Be Consistent
Any inconsistencies in financial documentation (e.g., mismatched figures, missing payments) can lead to delays or refusals.
Is the AM Test Reliable?
It can be—but it’s not widely used. Fewer than 10% of Family Visa applications rely on this route. Why?
- Many people don’t know it exists.
- Others don’t qualify because of benefit ineligibility.
- It requires careful documentation and may feel complicated.
Still, for those who do qualify, it can be the only legal path to reuniting with a loved one.
Stories from the Diaspora: A Glimpse into Real Lives
“I work part-time as a carer and receive PIP. Without the AM test, I’d never be able to afford to bring my wife to the UK. This test gave me a chance where the system felt closed.”
— Kwame, Manchester
“The MIR is too high for many in our communities. People are breaking down trying to meet it. The AM test is a lifeline, but more awareness is needed.”
— Fatima, Leeds
What You Can Do Now
If you believe the AM Test might apply to your situation:
- Speak to a qualified immigration advisor or solicitor
- Gather your financial paperwork early
- Check official figures (standard allowances change annually)
- Submit a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the test
💬 Remember: Your visa is not just about money—it’s about people, dignity, and your right to family life.
Conclusion
In a policy environment that often feels stacked against ordinary families, the Adequate Maintenance Test represents a narrow but powerful path forward. If you’re earning below £29,000, don’t give up hope. This route may be complex, but with the right support and preparation, it is very much possible.
Let’s not forget: UK law still upholds your right to a family life. The AM test is the legal key that can unlock that right for many who’ve been shut out by the new income rules.
Author’s Note:
I have worked with countless individuals and families navigating this immigration maze. Many give up, unaware of the options still available. This article is for the invisible ones—the low-paid, the carers, the disabled, and the quietly persistent. Your stories matter. And so does your right to be with those you love.
Let us keep raising awareness. Let us keep standing together.
