Rishi Sunak delays increase in family visa earnings threshold
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the increase in the earnings threshold for family visas to the UK will be introduced in two stages, instead of all at once as previously planned.
From early 2025, individuals will need to earn £38,700 a year before they can bring their family to the UK, up from the current £18,600 level. The threshold will rise to £29,000 in spring 2025, with the further increase to £38,700 not coming into effect until the following year.
Speaking in Lincoln, Sunak defended the timetable, stating that the principle behind the increase is that those bringing dependents into the country must be able to support them. He also emphasized the need to reduce high levels of migration.
The government announced the plans earlier this month, alongside other measures aimed at reducing net migration to the UK, which hit a record 745,000 in 2022.
Concerns were raised about the impact of the increase from £18,600 to £38,700, with critics arguing that it was too high and could disrupt households. There were also worries that implementing the changes all at once could leave the government vulnerable to legal challenges.
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick’s spokesman urged the immediate implementation of the new visa rules to avoid a “fire sale of visa applications.”
Meanwhile, Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the government for failing to consult on the proposals and not considering the impact of the changes on families.
Amidst the announcement, individuals affected by the changes expressed their concerns. Ruby, who is £5,000 short of meeting the current requirement, and Cam, who had planned to apply before the threshold increase, both spoke out about the impact of the changes on their lives.
The government has also confirmed that those renewing family visas will not need to meet the new earnings threshold, and individuals who had a family visa within the five-year partner route before the increase will be assessed against the current income level.
The delay in introducing the £38,700 threshold has left many individuals uncertain about their future plans, with Josie, a British citizen living in Italy with her husband, expressing hesitancy about returning to the UK due to policy changes.
The government’s decision to introduce the threshold increase in two stages has brought both relief and uncertainty to those affected, while sparking further debate about the impact of the changes on families hoping to settle in the UK.