The UK has recently increased the minimum income requirement for Family Visas by a substantial 55%, now standing at GBP 29,000 annually compared to the previous threshold of GBP 18,600. This adjustment signifies a stricter approach toward sponsoring family members for a Family Visa within the UK. It went into effect on April 11 and aligns the salary criteria for Family Visas with that of the Skilled Worker visa.
According to the UK Home Office, applicants or sponsoring family members must now demonstrate a minimum annual income of GBP 29,000, achievable through various means such as employment earnings, savings, or a combination of both. This move is part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s strategy to reduce legal migration and ensure that new arrivals are financially self-sufficient without relying on public funds. The goal is to create a more sustainable immigration system that benefits both the country and incoming migrants.
Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the importance of this higher income requirement, framing it as a crucial step toward building a future-ready immigration system. This change is not only about controlling migration but also about protecting British jobs and wages while easing the financial burden on taxpayers from incoming families. These adjustments come in response to the significant influx of 745,000 legal migrants to Britain in 2022, highlighting the need for a more balanced and manageable immigration policy.
UK Family Visa, UK Income Requirement, Bring Family to UK, UK Immigration, New Visa Rules UK