UK Raises Minimum Income for Family Visas, Indian Families Affected
The UK government has sharply increased the minimum income requirement for its Family Visa, affecting many Indian nationals.
Now, British citizens and permanent residents must earn at least GBP 38,700 to sponsor family members moving to the UK, a substantial rise from the previous GBP 18,600.
This policy, starting next year, targets reducing immigration and is likely to disproportionately affect Indian families since they are one of the largest groups under this visa category.
UK Home Secretary James Cleverly explained the decision as matching the income requirement for skilled workers, noting that the previous threshold had not changed since 2012. The measure aims to ensure migrants can support their dependents financially.
The policy change has drawn criticism for its potential to heavily impact lower-income individuals, especially women and younger people, along with those living outside the more affluent areas of London and southeast England. There are also concerns over the lack of recent advisory committee input.
Labour's Yvette Cooper suggests a spike in rushed weddings before the rule takes effect to bypass the new requirements. She calls for an urgent review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) has also expressed concerns, stating that the policy would harm the wellbeing of overseas care workers by preventing them from bringing families, potentially deterring them from working in the UK.
The salary boundary for skilled professionals will also rise, making the UK less attractive for skilled Indians and potentially pushing them towards other economies.
This policy, starting next year, targets reducing immigration and is likely to disproportionately affect Indian families since they are one of the largest groups under this visa category.
UK Home Secretary James Cleverly explained the decision as matching the income requirement for skilled workers, noting that the previous threshold had not changed since 2012. The measure aims to ensure migrants can support their dependents financially.
The policy change has drawn criticism for its potential to heavily impact lower-income individuals, especially women and younger people, along with those living outside the more affluent areas of London and southeast England. There are also concerns over the lack of recent advisory committee input.
Labour's Yvette Cooper suggests a spike in rushed weddings before the rule takes effect to bypass the new requirements. She calls for an urgent review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) has also expressed concerns, stating that the policy would harm the wellbeing of overseas care workers by preventing them from bringing families, potentially deterring them from working in the UK.
The salary boundary for skilled professionals will also rise, making the UK less attractive for skilled Indians and potentially pushing them towards other economies.