The United Kingdom government has announced its intention to incrementally increase the minimum salary requirement for family visas, aligning it with that of skilled work visas as part of a broader strategy to manage immigration levels.
In a move aimed at providing predictability for immigrant families, the government unveiled plans to elevate the minimum salary required for family visas in stages. This decision follows an earlier announcement of a substantial 47-percent surge in the minimum salary for skilled work visas, elevating it to £38,700 ($49,100).
Initially set at £29,000, up from the current £18,600, the minimum salary for family visas will eventually reach the targeted £38,700. However, the timeline for this progression beyond spring has not been explicitly detailed.
The Home Office clarified that the objective is to ultimately synchronize the threshold for family visas with that of skilled work visas. Notably, child allowances will no longer be factored into income requirements, ensuring equal treatment between British nationals and migrants. The threshold for migrants will be a flat rate, irrespective of the number of children being sponsored.
Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized that these measures aim to reduce net migration to the UK by an estimated 300,000 people compared to the previous year. Alongside the adjustments to visa thresholds, alterations were made to the list of occupations in short supply, and measures were introduced to ensure immigrants can adequately support their family members.
The government’s broader immigration strategy also includes tightened regulations for students and a substantial 66-percent increase in the health surcharge for foreigners utilizing the National Health Service.
Recent statistics revealed that net immigration in the previous year surpassed initial estimates, with 745,000 arrivals recorded, significantly exceeding the projected 606,000. As immigration remains a pivotal issue, especially with nationwide elections expected by January 2025, the main opposition Labour party currently holds favorability.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to curb new arrivals, responding to mounting pressure following last month’s release of statistics indicating a peak in net migration to Britain in 2022.
The changes in visa thresholds and immigration regulations underscore the government’s commitment to manage immigration levels, albeit amid ongoing debates about the broader impact of these measures on families and the workforce.
Sources By Agencies
