Published on: June 2025
If you’re planning to bring your spouse or child to the UK under a Family Visa, recent government reviews may impact the income requirements in your favor. While the new threshold of £29,000 is currently in place (as of April 2025), a Home Office review suggests it may be lowered to make the process fairer for families.
Current Rule: What Is the Minimum Salary?
As of April 11, 2025, UK family visa applicants must meet a £29,000 annual income requirement to sponsor their spouse or dependant. This marks a significant increase from the previous £18,600 threshold, introduced as part of new immigration control measures.
This salary must be met by the sponsor (usually the UK-based partner) and cannot be supplemented by the applicant’s income or savings alone, unless certain conditions are met.
What Might Change?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has submitted a review that questions whether the £29,000 threshold unfairly separates low-income families. The key recommendation:
The Home Office should introduce a more flexible, lower-income requirement for sponsoring family members — especially where children are involved.
This could mean:
- A reduced threshold for families with children
- Consideration of household income, not just the UK sponsor
- Possible return to a level between £18,600 and £23,000
Who Will Benefit?
If adopted, the new recommendation would help:
- UK residents earning under £29,000 bring their spouse
- Students or skilled workers with dependants
- Families from South Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia where income disparities are more common
For many Indian and international families, this change could significantly increase access to long-term family reunification in the UK.
When Will This Be Decided?
As of June 2025, the UK Home Office is reviewing the MAC’s recommendations. No formal reduction has been announced yet, but a policy update is expected later this year.
Velynt Global is actively tracking this policy and will notify you if changes are confirmed.
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- Income eligibility checks
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- Family visa application filing
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