New Rules Mean Higher Salary Threshold for UK Family Visa

Effective immediately, the UK has raised the income benchmark for immigration from 18,600 pounds to 29,000 pounds, with an impending further increase to 38,700 pounds early next year. Immigration holds particular significance as a major issue leading up to the UK’s general elections, with indications pointing towards potential heavy defeat for the Conservative party, led by Mr Sunak. The latest regulations are part of Sunak’s plan to reduce unsustainable and unfair migration levels and ensure that newcomers do not financially strain the UK.

The UK’s Interior Minister, James Cleverly, has emphasized the need to alleviate the pressures brought about by mass migration, characterizing the situation as reaching a tipping point. The government’s focus is on protecting British workers and wages, while also preventing reliance on public funds by those moving to the UK. In light of these objectives, the revised income requirement aims to ensure that families seeking to reunite in the UK demonstrate self-sufficiency, with provisions in place for various methods of meeting the threshold such as savings and income from employment.

Cleverly has affirmed the government’s swift action in delivering on its promises to reduce unsustainable migration, safeguard British workers and their wages, and build a robust immigration system that garners public confidence. The UK government is aiming to significantly decrease the current immigration figures of 745,000 to 300,000.