The UK has announced plans to gradually increase the minimum salary criteria for family visas, aiming to provide stability for immigrant families. The Conservative government, facing challenges, revealed a series of measures in December to address high migration levels, a significant focus in the upcoming general election.
The UK’s Home Office revealed additional changes following a previously announced 47 per cent increase in the minimum salary for skilled work visas, raising it to £38,700 ($49,100). The initial amount, set at £29,000, up from the current £18,600, is expected to gradually reach £38,700 without a specified timeline beyond spring.
The government aims to align the family visa threshold with that of skilled work visas and has eliminated the use of child allowances in calculating income requirements.
To avoid treating British nationals less favourably than migrants, the new plan establishes a flat rate for the threshold, irrespective of sponsored children. The government stated that the overall strategy is expected to decrease net migration to the UK by approximately 3,00,000 people compared to the previous year. Additionally, the government revealed alterations to the list of occupations in short supply and measures to ensure immigrants are able to effectively support their family members.
As part of the comprehensive immigration strategy, rules for students have been strengthened, and there is a 66 per cent rise in the health surcharge for foreign individuals accessing the National Health Service.
Recent data reveals that net immigration in the past year exceeded initial projections, with 7,45,000 arrivals, surpassing the expected 6,06,000.
