UK Visa Rule: In a significant move aimed at tightening immigration criteria, the United Kingdom has raised the minimum income requirement for sponsoring family members on a family visa. Effective from April 11, individuals looking to sponsor their family members now need to have a minimum annual salary of GBP 29,000, marking a sharp 55% increase from the previous threshold of GBP 18,600.
The Rishi Sunak Government’s Staged Plan
This decision was part of a staged plan initiated by the Rishi Sunak government to align the family visa salary threshold with that of the Skilled Worker visa. According to the UK Home Office, the sponsoring family member, or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work, must now demonstrate an income of at least GBP 29,000 earned in the UK. This requirement can be fulfilled through various means, including savings exclusively or in addition to a lower income.
Focus on Reducing Legal Migration
The Home Office emphasized that this move is a final measure in Prime Minister Sunak’s package to reduce legal migration and ensure that those arriving in the UK do not become a burden on the taxpayer. Home Secretary James Cleverly highlighted the importance of this higher salary range in building a future-ready immigration system.
Government’s Rapid Action
Cleverly mentioned that the government has acted swiftly to address the issue of mass migration, promising action and delivering at remarkable speed. The focus has been on cutting unsustainable numbers, protecting British workers and their wages, ensuring that those bringing family members to the UK do not burden taxpayers, and building an immigration system fit for the future.
Record High Migration in 2022
The tightened immigration policy comes after official data revealed that legal net migration to Britain reached a record high of 745,000 in 2022. This underscores the urgency for measures to manage immigration effectively and safeguard the interests of both British citizens and immigrants.
