The United Kingdom has implemented a substantial increase in the minimum income requirement for sponsoring family members on a Family Visa, tightening immigration criteria. Applicants must now demonstrate a minimum annual salary of GBP 29,000, marking a significant 55 percent rise from the previous threshold of GBP 18,600.
The adjustment, announced by the Rishi Sunak government last year, aims to align the family visa salary threshold with that of the Skilled Worker visa. Effective from April 11, the new requirement mandates the sponsoring family member or the applicant (if permitted to work in the UK) to earn at least GBP 29,000 annually. This income requirement can be met through various means, including exclusive savings or a combination of savings and a lower income.
According to the UK Home Office, this measure represents the final step in Prime Minister Sunak's strategy to reduce legal migration and ensure that newcomers do not impose a financial burden on taxpayers. Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized that the elevated salary range aims to establish an immigration system equipped for the future.
Acknowledging the need for swift action, Cleverly highlighted the government's commitment to curbing unsustainable migration numbers, safeguarding British workers and their wages, and creating a sustainable immigration system. This policy adjustment follows official data indicating a record high of 745,000 legal net migrations to Britain in 2022, prompting the government to reassess its immigration framework.
