May 19th, 2024 at 04:56 am

UK Raises Income Threshold for Family Visas | UK Tightens Immigration Rules

Family visa income requirements have been increased as the UK tightens its immigration laws. We’ll be exploring the new financial thresholds for UK family visas in this blog post. Significant changes are occurring in the UK immigration scene as a result of a recent increase in the income threshold for family visas, which will take effect on April 11, 2024.

With an anticipated increase to £38,700 in early 2025, the minimum financial criterion for family visas has witnessed a significant increase from £18,600 to £29,000.

Understand the New Financial Requirements

These actions have been taken by the UK’s Home Secretary as part of a larger plan to reduce migration and reform the immigration laws. This change affects both new applicants and those looking to extend their stay, as it represents a more than 55% rise in the minimum salary requirement.

To meet the visa requirements, new applicants—such as those seeking entry as spouses—now bear a significant financial burden that is primarily based on the income of their British sponsor. Joint finances with the British partner may also be taken into consideration for those who are seeking an extension of their stay or an Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Calculating your Financial Eligibility

An individual must prove they make at least £29,000 a year to satisfy these new standards through employment revenue. This amount is fixed regardless of how many dependent children are listed on the application, which is a big change from earlier regulations.

Alternatively, the threshold is set at a high £88,500 for people who are dependent on financial savings. Nevertheless, the necessary savings for applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain decreased to £45,000.

What’s the Impact on Existing Visa Holders?

Crucially, for their successive Visa extensions throughout the 5-year settlement route, persons who are currently in the UK on a family visa and were granted entry before April 11, 2024, will be grandfathered under the previous Financial barrier of £18,600.

The financial need rises by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child, up to a maximum of £29,000, for families with dependent children. This cap makes the previously complex financial demonstration for large families simpler. Above this sum

Final Thoughts

To ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient while narrowing the avenues to long-term settlement, these reforms represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to family migration. To ensure compliance and successful Visa applications, prospective and current Visa holders must carefully evaluate their financial status against these new thresholds.

As usual, seeking advice from an immigration specialist is advised when handling complicated immigration changes to properly manage the new regulations.

Rishi Sunak Announces Changes in UK Visa Application Fees 2024

Why is it getting harder to apply for a UK visa? The immigration health premium and the cost of applying for a UK visa have both increased significantly, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The purpose of these adjustments is to raise money for public expenditure, namely to bolster recent salary increases in the public sector.

Why the fees hike?

Sunak connected the fee rise to paying higher wages for employees in the public sector in a recent speech. The wage rise for teachers will be 6.5%, for junior doctors it will be 6%, and for police officers it will be 7%. Sunak made it clear that there will be no more talks and that these compensation increases represent the last offer. According to Sunak, these levies will generate over a billion pounds, and the immigrant health surcharge will go up as well.

Current UK Visa Fees

Visa costs differ based on the industry, kind, length, and purpose of the visa. Since its inception in 2015, the immigration health surcharge has steadily increased. The application fee was initially £200, however, it was increased to £400 in 2018, £624 for adults in 2020, and £470 for minors enrolled as students.

What’s the New Fee Structure?

The government declared a 15% rise in work visa costs. There will be a minimum 20% increase in other Visa fees. The yearly Immigration Health Surcharge is now £1,035 per person, with children and students paying a discounted rate of £776.