£38,700 Requirement Cancelled as UK Announces New Salary Limit for UK Dependent/Spouse Visa
Plans by Rishi Sunak to drastically raise the minimum income required to bring a foreign spouse or partner into the UK have been retracted. The wage level will increase from 18,600 to 29,000 British pounds next year in 2024 instead of the 38,700 first declared this month, less than three weeks after the policy was established.
Good News for Dependents and Skilled Workers
The immigration minister said last week that current skilled workers will not be subject to the new income cap of 38,000 British pounds when extending their visas, although specifics are still unknown. However, on December 20, 2023, State Minister Tom Pursglove gave a rather ambiguous response to the query about whether the increased minimum wage would apply to the renewal of a visa.
It was observed that last week, Clive Betts, the labor minister, sent a question to the Home Secretary inquiring as to when the new earnings level for skilled worker visa applications will go into effect and if it will affect individuals who are now living in the UK as well as those who have already applied and been renewed. On December 20, Tom Pursglove responded, stating that the present wage and minimum income requirement criteria, as well as policies about dependents, remain in effect and at the current levels until the immigration laws are amended in the spring.
When they change jobs, extend their stay in the UK, or settle down, those who are currently in the skilled work route and applications submitted before the rule change will not be subject to the new £38,700 wage cap. Unfortunately, this evasive response did not make it clear whether or whether applications to alter employment, extend, or settle will not be subject to the new limit until the most recent UK immigration laws are modified.
However, in a recent development, Rishi Sunak has retracted his intentions to significantly raise the minimum income required to bring a foreign spouse or partner to the UK. The wage level will increase from £18,600 to 29,000 British pounds next year in 2024 instead of the £38,700 first declared this month, less than three weeks after the policy was introduced.
Date of Implementation
When it will reach the entire sum is not yet known by the Home Office. It projects that the rise to £29,000 will result in a yearly decrease in immigration of between 10,000 and 30,000. The Home Office stated that only those who apply for new visas will be affected by the changes.
New Changes to UK Visas from January 2024
Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary Threshold
Spouse Partner Visa Income Threshold
Social Care Worker’s Minimum Salary Threshold
Additional Changes
- New Highly Skilled Workers Visa Route
- New points-based system for skilled workers
- New Visa route for entrepreneurs
- New Visa route for graduate students
How would these changes impact?
Will these changes affect you or your family?
We strongly advise you to seek professional advice for information and direction appropriate to your circumstances.
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