Information on legal migration rules for family and work visas
A 5-point plan to curb immigration abuse and cut net migration was announced by the previous Prime Minister and Home Secretary and the following actions were implemented:
As of 11.03.24 social care workers are no longer allowed to bring dependents on their visa
As of 04.04.24 an increase in the minimum earnings for a Skilled Worker route from £26,200 to £38,700 as well as an increase in the individual occupation “going rate” thresholds;
As of 04.04.24 the introduction of the Immigration Salary list comprising of a shortened list of jobs for which an individual applying for the Skilled Worker visa at a reduced minimum salary;
As of 11.04.24 an increase in the minimum income threshold for spouse / partner visas from £18,600 to £29,000. Whilst there were further plans to increase this threshold to £38,700 under the previous government, the new Labour government has indicated that they would not be increasing the threshold but would commission a review in June 2025;
On 14.05.24, a review of the Graduate Visa by an independent committee was conducted to check for possible abuse of the system. However, there was no finding of significant abuse and a recommendation that the route stay open;
Partner / Spouse visa route
It is important to note that applicants already on the 5-year partner / spouse visa route who were subject to the previous £18,600 will continue to be subject to the previous minimum income threshold- only new applicants as of 11.04.24 will be subject to the higher £29,000 minimum income threshold (except where applicants are applying as partners / spouse of the members of the armed forces which has increased to £23,496).
One notable difference however is how the minimum income thresholds factor in dependents.
Under the previous threshold, the minimum financial threshold would increase from £18,600 based on how many dependent children were applying with the applicant:
An additional £3,800 for the first child; and
An additional £2,400 for each additional child;
Under the new threshold, the base minimum threshold remains £29,000 regardless of how many children would be applying.
In terms of factoring savings where an applicant’s income falls short of the minimum threshold, this remains the same for the previous and current requirements i.e. a base savings of £16,000 and additional savings of 2.5 times the difference between the actual gross annual income and the total amount required.
Will there be any changes to the minimum income threshold?
Under the previous Conservative government, it was intended that the minimum financial income would increase sometime in late 2025 from £29,000 to £37,700.
The current Labour government has announced that they would be conducting a review in approximately June 2025. It is still possible that the minimum income threshold for partner / spouse visas may increase or decrease but by how much will not be known until after the review has been conducted.
Skilled Worker route
It is important to note that those already on the Skilled Worker route prior to the changes on 04.04.24 will continue to be subject to the previous salary threshold and going rates.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9920/