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Navigating the New £29,000/£38,700 UK Partner & Family Visa Financial Requirement


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This post delves into the recent immigration announcement regarding the change in the minimum income requirement for the partner/family visa routes starting from April 11th 2024. It also discusses alternative options available if you are unable to meet the new financial requirement of £29,000/£38,700.


Reasons Behind the Increase in the UK Partner and Family Visa Financial Requirement

In recent years, government officials have expressed concerns about high immigration levels. As a result, on 4 December, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced a series of immigration changes aimed at reducing legal immigration to the UK by approximately 300,000 individuals. One of these measures involves increasing the minimum income requirement for the five-year spouse and partner visas under Appendix FM from £18,600 to £38,700. The government's goal is to ensure that individuals only bring dependents to the UK whom they can support financially.


Details of the UK Partner and Family Visa Financial Requirement Increase and Timeline

The government has outlined a phased approach to increase the minimum income requirement for family visas, providing families with predictability:

  1. The spouse/partner visa minimum income requirement will first increase to £29,000 on April 11th 2024.

  2. Subsequently, the spouse/partner visa minimum income requirement will rise to around £34,500 at an unspecified time, likely later in 2024.

  3. Finally, the spouse/partner visa minimum income requirement will reach around £38,700 in early 2025.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on 22 December 2023, "We're doing exactly as we said we would. We're just doing it in two stages. So it will go up in a few months' time, and then it will go up again the full amount in early 2025."


Implications of the Spouse and Partner Visa Financial Requirement Increase

From April 11th 2024, individuals applying for entry clearance as a spouse, civil partner, fiancé, proposed civil partner, or as a child joining a parent will be affected by the minimum income requirement increase. Similarly, those within the UK applying to switch to these routes will also be affected by the financial requirement increase.


Transition Period for the New Financial Requirement Increase

Individuals who already hold a family visa within the partner route or who apply before the minimum income requirement is raised will continue to have their applications assessed against the current income requirement. This will also apply to children seeking to join or accompany parents. Those granted a fiancé visa before the increase will also be assessed against the current income requirement when applying for a family visa within the partner route.


Meeting the Family Visa Financial Requirement of £29,000

To meet the new financial requirement, there are several ways to demonstrate financial eligibility, including:

  • Salaried employment

  • Non-salaried employment (e.g., varying working hours/hourly pay)

  • Self-employment

  • Company directorship

  • Non-employment income (e.g., dividends, shares, property rental)

  • Cash savings (above £16,000)

  • Investments

  • Pension

  • Applicants can also combine multiple income sources to meet the financial requirement.


What to Do If You Cannot Meet the New Financial Requirement?

If you cannot meet the new financial requirement, you may still be eligible for settlement in the UK under the ten-year partner/family visa route if:

Insurmountable obstacles apply, or

There are exceptional circumstances or unjustifiably harsh consequences.


Meeting this threshold is challenging, and strong evidence is required. Seeking immigration advice is advisable for anyone considering an application on these bases.


Alternative Sources of Income

If exceptional circumstances apply, you may rely on third-party support, such as a credible guarantee of financial support from another person, such as a family member.


Prospective earnings from sustainable employment or self-employment, as well as any other credible and reliable source of income or funds, can also be considered.


Conclusion

In summary, those applying for a partner/family visa before April 11th 2024 will be assessed against the current Immigration Rules and the financial requirement of a minimum income of £18,600. Those already in the UK on the partner/family visa route will continue to be assessed against the old Immigration Rules and financial requirement of a minimum income of £18,600 until settlement. Those applying for entry clearance or as a partner/child/parent or those switching to those routes after Spring 2024 will be assessed against the new income requirement of £29,000.


Additional Immigration Rules Changes to Family Visas

The Home Office has announced the removal of a separate child element to the minimum income requirement, aligning with the General Skilled Worker threshold as a flat rate, regardless of any children being sponsored.



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