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The short answer
Income rules for bringing a spouse from Nigeria differ sharply by country. The UK usually requires combined income of at least £29,000 a year, with savings usable instead in some cases; Canada's spouse sponsorship generally has no minimum income but the sponsor signs a three-year undertaking to support the partner; the US requires an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) measured against the federal poverty guidelines. In every case the evidence must be consistent, official and traceable.
Spouse and partner visas are refused more often for paperwork than for income. A sponsor who earns enough can still fail by sending the wrong payslips, unexplained deposits or bank statements that do not match the payslips. This guide sets out the thresholds in three common destinations and the evidence habits that apply everywhere. It is information, not immigration advice.
The thresholds
| Country | Income rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Combined income usually at least £29,000 a year; £18,600 if extending a partner visa first applied for before 11 April 2024; no minimum if the sponsor receives certain disability or carer's benefits | GOV.UK partner visa proof of income |
| Canada | Most spouse cases have no minimum income; the sponsor signs an undertaking to support the partner for three years from permanent residence (outside Quebec) | IRCC Guide 5289 |
| US | Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, assessed against HHS poverty guidelines; household members' income needs Form I-864A | USCIS Form I-864 page; HHS guidelines |
UK detail
GOV.UK says the £29,000 is combined income with your partner, and that you may be able to use savings instead. For partners on the older £18,600 rule, extra income is needed for non-British children applying: £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. Where the requirement cannot be met, GOV.UK lists limited exceptions involving a British or Irish child, or a breach of human rights, and says the earliest settlement in that case is after 10 years.
US detail
USCIS charges no filing fee for Form I-864. It says assets used to meet the requirement must be documented (location, ownership, date acquired, value and any liens), and that a joint sponsor must prove US citizenship, permanent residence or nationality. The thresholds are set from the HHS poverty guidelines, which for 2026 start at $15,960 for a one-person household in the 48 contiguous states and DC. USCIS publishes the exact percentage and figures that apply on Form I-864P; use that table, not the raw guideline.
Canada detail
Although Canada usually sets no minimum income for spouses, the sponsor still has to show they can meet the undertaking, and IRCC's fee for sponsoring a spouse is $1,260 including the right of permanent residence fee. Guide 5289 also says the marriage must be legal where it took place and in Canada, and that proxy, telephone or internet marriages where a spouse was not physically present are not recognised, which matters for some marriages conducted in Nigeria in a partner's absence.
Evidence that works
- Payslips and matching bank statements. The salary on the payslip should appear as a deposit on the statement, with the same employer name.
- An employer letter confirming job title, start date, salary and contract type, on letterhead and signed.
- Tax documents such as a tax return, P60 or notice of assessment where the country uses them.
- Self-employed income evidenced through tax returns and accounts, not just bank deposits. See proof of income when self-employed abroad.
- Savings held in the right name, for the required period, with the source explained.
Common mistakes
- Using income that does not count. Rules on which income counts, and whose, are detailed; read the official evidence guidance for your route before applying.
- Large unexplained deposits shortly before applying, such as money moved in from relatives. Caseworkers look for funds that appear suddenly.
- Inconsistent names and dates across documents, a common problem when Nigerian documents use a different name order. Sort name issues before you apply.
- Cash salaries with no payslips or tax records.
- Statements that are screenshots or edited PDFs. Use official statements; a doctored statement is likely to be detected and can lead to refusal. Our Nigeria library explains how doctored bank statements are caught.
- Forgetting the partner's own evidence, such as a Nigerian employment letter or business documents, where the route allows it.
Before you submit: a short check
- Every document is in the sponsor's name exactly as it appears on the passport.
- Payslips, bank statements and the employer letter all show the same salary.
- Any large deposit in the statement period has a document explaining it.
- Translations are attached for anything not in the required language.
- You have kept a full copy of everything submitted, in case of a request for more information or an appeal.
The Nigerian side
Your spouse in Nigeria will need their own documents: passport, marriage certificate (often authenticated), and sometimes evidence of the relationship. Nigerian bank statements requested for a visa are usually issued by the bank as an embassy statement; see using a sponsor's bank statement for a visa from Nigeria. Once your partner arrives, read dependant visa work rights and income.
Where Pryme fits
Clean, consistent statements matter more than anything else here. Any Pryme customer can generate a verifiable statement through VerifyDoc.ai (receipts and statements), which a caseworker or bank can check is genuine and unaltered, and a multicurrency account keeps money moved between you and your spouse in one documented place.
Questions people ask
How much do I need to earn to bring my wife from Nigeria to the UK?
GOV.UK says combined income of usually at least £29,000 a year, with savings usable instead in some cases and exceptions for certain benefits.
Is there a minimum income to sponsor a spouse to Canada?
Most spouse cases have no minimum income, but the sponsor signs a three-year undertaking to support the partner.
What is the income requirement for a US spouse visa?
The sponsor files Form I-864, assessed against HHS poverty guidelines; USCIS publishes the figures on Form I-864P.
Can my spouse's income in Nigeria count?
It depends on the route. Check the official evidence guidance; under UK rules the threshold is combined income, but which sources count is detailed.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Partner visa, proof of income · accessed Oct 2026
- IRCC: Guide 5289, sponsor your spouse or partner · accessed Oct 2026
- IRCC: Fee list · accessed Oct 2026
- USCIS: Form I-864 · accessed Oct 2026
- ASPE HHS: Poverty guidelines · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.