UK Immigration Reform: New Family Visa Income Requirement

In a significant overhaul of the UK's immigration system, the Home Secretary has fulfilled his commitment to reduce legal migration by implementing the final measure of a comprehensive reform package. 11 April, the minimum income required to sponsor a family visa has been raised from £18,600 to £29,000, marking a sharp increase of over 55%.

The Home Secretary's reform initiative, which aims to decrease migration levels deemed unsustainable and unfair, also outlines future increases in the income threshold. By early 2025, the requirement will reach £38,700, aligning with the salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa. This change impacts approximately 300,000 people who migrated to the UK last year under the previous threshold.

The broader reform package includes significant measures such as ending the ability for most students to bring dependents to the UK, restricting care workers from bringing family members, and commissioning a rapid review of the Graduate route for international students to combat misuse and uphold the integrity of UK higher education. These reforms extend to requiring a higher minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa applicants and revising the Shortage Occupation List to prevent employers from underpaying migrant workers compared to UK citizens.

This comprehensive strategy reflects the government's approach to managing immigration in a way that protects the interests of British citizens and the economy. By increasing the financial requirements for family visas, the government aims to ensure that migrants are financially self-sufficient, reducing the fiscal burden on taxpayers and facilitating better integration into British society.

The staged increase in the income requirement is designed to provide predictability for families planning to apply, ensuring that migration to the UK is both manageable and responsible. The Home Secretary emphasizes that these measures are essential for creating an immigration system that the public can trust and support, aiming for a high-skill, high-wage economy without over-reliance on mass migration.