UK family visa income rule under review amid growing concerns

UK family visa income rule under review amid growing concerns

The UK government’s minimum income requirement for family visas is under fresh scrutiny as the Migration Advisory Committee prepares to publish its review of the policy. The rule, which dictates how much a British citizen must earn to bring a non-British partner to the UK, has long been criticised for separating families and disproportionately affecting women, people of colour, and lower-income households.

For over a decade, the threshold was set at £18,600. In 2023, it was increased to £29,000, with plans to raise it to £38,700 in stages. However, the threshold was temporarily frozen by the Labour government upon taking office, pending the outcome of the review.

Rights groups, including Reunite Families UK and Coram, argue the policy undermines the right to family life and imposes barriers that many cannot meet, especially those raising children or working part-time. Critics say the rule treats personal relationships as economic transactions and fails to account for the partner’s income or the realities of family life.

A recent article published in The Guardian highlighted several cases where families were forced to live apart due to the income requirement. These include individuals facing serious health issues, single parents unable to meet the threshold, and British citizens who relocated abroad to remain with their partners. In some instances, prolonged separations had lasting impacts on children’s emotional well-being.

Though there are exceptional circumstances provisions under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, many applications under this route are rejected. The current rules also exclude undocumented migrants and do not offer alternative routes for those in conflict-affected countries. Labour had previously pledged to abolish the income requirement in favour of a self-sufficiency test, but its latest immigration policy has signalled a more restrictive stance.

Critics warn that legal migration is being used as a political bargaining tool, with families paying the price. The upcoming report from the Migration Advisory Committee is expected to play a key role in determining the future of the policy and its implications for thousands of families currently living apart.