Spouse visa minimum income increase paused pending MAC review

AuthorCaroline Sykes

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP delivered a statement to Parliament on 30 July 2024 setting out the new Labour government’s approach to key immigration issues. Importantly, it was announced that there will be ‘no further changes’ to the £29,000 per year minimum income threshold for family visas pending a Migration Advisory Committee review.

As part of its five-point plan to reduce net migration, the previous Conservative government increased the family visa minimum income requirement from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024, and planned to increase it again to £34,500 later in 2024 and finally to £38,700 in early 2025.

The Home Secretary has commissioned a Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) review to ensure there is an evidence base for any further changes to the minimum income requirement, stating that the government wishes to strike the right balance between respect for family life and the economic wellbeing of the UK.

The rest of the outgoing government’s five-point plan to reduce net migration will not be reversed. This means that:

The salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will remain at £38,700
Restrictions on students from bringing family members with them will stay
Restrictions on care workers from bringing family members with them will stay

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