The Government has confirmed that the spouse/partner visa minimum income will initially increase to £29,000 on 11 April 2024 and incrementally thereafter to £38,700 ‘by early 2025’. Here we answer your Frequently Asked Questions.
Background
On 4 December 2023, the Government announced they intended to increase the financial requirement for spouse vis a applications from £18,600 per year to £38,700 per year as part of a ‘5-point plan’ to reduce net migration. We previously reported on this here.
At the time, they intended that these changes would apply to new applicants and those already in the UK with a visa.
The Government subsequently confirmed that the requirement would incrementally increase to £38,700 and the change would only apply to first-time applicants.
When will the changes happen?
The minimum income requirement will increase from £18,600 to £29,000 per year on 11 April 2024.
This will increase to £34,500 later in 2024 and finally to £38,700 ‘by early 2025’.
I already have a spouse visa. Does this apply to me?
No, in a Government U-turn the new threshold will only apply to first-time applicants. This means that if you already have a spouse or partner visa, you will need to continue to meet the lower £18,600 threshold.
How will the savings threshold increase?
Under the current rules, applicants can rely on joint savings of £62,500 held continuously for six months to meet the financial requirement. Alternatively, applicants can rely on savings above £16,000 to supplement some types of income to meet the requirement.
It remains unclear whether the savings required will increase in line with the income requirement. This would push the savings required from £62,500 to £88,500, held continuously for six months.
What about children?
Under the current rules, an additional £3,800 is required for the first child and a further £2,400 for additional children. Thankfully, the Government has confirmed that children will no longer be included in the minimum income calculation.