Immigration Rules Changes from Spring 2024 on Partner Visa Minimum Income Requirement for UK Spouse Visa, Fiance Visa and Dependent Children, rising from £18600 to £38700 a year, an increase of 108%

The UK Secretary of State for the Home Department announced on Dec 4, 2023

“Fourthly, we will ensure that people bring only dependants whom they can support financially, by raising the minimum income for family visas to the same threshold as the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers, which is £38,700. The minimum income requirement is currently £18,600 and has not been increased since 2012. This package of measures will take effect from next spring.”

When will the new income requirement for UK spouse Visa and Fiance Visa be enforced?

The government announced that they intend to implement the change in the annual income requirement from Spring 2024. This is likely to be in March of next year. Bear in mind, the change in the income requirements are subject to parliament approval.

What are immigration rules changes in the income threshold for UK family visas, how much income requirement has been increased?

The proposed change in the financial requirements for the family visas from £18600 per year to £38700 a year, an increase of £20,100, a change of 108 percent. The change will affect low income UK sponsors who want to bring their partner and children to the UK. The UK family visas include UK fiance visa, UK partner visa such as spouse visa and dependent children applications under appendix FM. The applications for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) may also have adverse affect due to the change in the immigration rules for income requirement. The current annual income threshold for sponsoring an additional family member is £3800 for a first child and £2400 for each additional child. These amounts could go high as much as £8000 and £5000 respectively. This is a forecoasted change by our inhouse immigration experts.  

Visas, Immigration and Nationality Services

I am already in the UK on a family visa. Would new income requirements £38700 per year apply to me at the time of visa extension?

As limited information was provided, therefore we are not aware of the full extent of the change and how it will affect the family members already in the UK. Also, it is uncertain whether new income requirements for partner visas will apply to the spouse visa extension application and UK fiance visa to spouse visa switching application, to those who are already in the UK before change takes effect.

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Applying for UK family visa before change in the income requirements

In view of the above, it may be worthwhile considering making a UK partner visa application earlier than you originally planned before change takes effect in the 2nd quarter of 2024.  

UK Visa Applications affected by new UK family visa income requirements of £38700

The following types of visa applications will be affected by change in the immigration rules for family visa income requirement-

1. UK Spouse Visa Applications

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2. UK Fiance Visa Applications

3. UK Dependent Children Visa Applications

4. UK Indefinite Leave to Remain- ILR Applications

5. UK Visa Application as parent/ carer of a British Child

Exemption from meeting the financial requirements but meeting the requirements through ‘adequate maintenance’

Where the applicant’s partner is in receipt of any of the following benefits or allowances in the UK, the applicant will be able to meet the financial requirement at that application stage by providing evidence of ‘adequate maintenance’ rather than meeting an income threshold. You need to show you and your family have enough money to adequately support and accommodate yourselves without relying on public benefits.

• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
• Police Injury Pension

The adequate maintenance should be calculated before submitting the visa application. The process normally includes the full appreciation of income (including income from public benefits), savings, housing cost, council tax cost and other expenses such as child maintenance payments.

What if I cannot meet the minimum income requirement for UK Sposue Visa Extension Application?

You need to show you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement if you want to settle in 5 years as a partner. If you are already in the UK and you do not meet the requirement, you may be able to settle in 10 years, often referred to as the 10 years partner route or 10 years parent route or 10 years private and family life route. 

How can I stay up to date on this development on the income requirements for uk spouse visa, fiance visa and dependent children visa?

We will update this section of our website on hearing further guidance from the UK Home Office (UKVI). You can bookmark this page to stay up to date on this change.