UK halts planned hike in family visa,  income requirement

The UK government has temporarily suspended its plan to raise the minimum income requirement for family visas by 19.83%, offering temporary relief to individuals seeking to bring their family members to the UK.

Originally, the income threshold was set to increase from £29,000 to £34,500, but this has been paused while the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviews the financial criteria.

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UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the current £29,000 threshold would remain in place until the review is completed. The decision aims to strike a balance between respecting family life and maintaining the UK’s economic wellbeing.

This freeze provides a reprieve for foreigners looking to reunite with their families in the UK. Family visas, which allow individuals to live with a spouse, partner, child, parent, or dependent for more than six months, require applicants to meet specific income and relationship criteria.

The planned income increase, initially set for April 2024, would have raised the threshold from £18,600 to £29,000, with further increases leading to £34,500. However, these plans are now on hold pending the MAC’s review.

In addition to pausing the family visa income hike, the UK has recently implemented several changes to immigration routes, including tighter regulations on student and graduate visas, restrictions on family members of international students, limitations for care workers, and increased salary thresholds for skilled workers.

As the government reassesses the financial requirements, applicants should stay informed about potential changes that could impact their eligibility for family visas.