Government Eases Proposed Family Visa Salary Requirements

The UK government has reversed its decision to sharply increase the minimum income requirement for citizens to sponsor family visas.

Initially proposed to rise from £18,600 to £38,700, the government now plans to set the threshold at £29,000, with gradual increases to follow. Yet, the specific dates for future hikes to reach £34,500 and eventually £38,700 have not been disclosed.

The Labour Party criticized the policy shift as indicative of disarray within the Conservative government, highlighting a lack of adequate consultation. Responding to concerns about the impact on family unity, the Home Office will allow current family visa holders to renew without meeting the new income levels.

Part of a broader strategy to curb legal immigration, this turnaround comes after net migration figures reached a high of 745,000 in 2022.

Despite the policy adjustment, the Liberal Democrats and advocacy group Reunite Families UK maintain that even the reduced salary criterion remains prohibitive for many and adds unnecessary complexity to the visa process.