Good News for Indians: UK Shelves Income Threshold Hike for Family Visas.
In a significant policy shift, British nationals and permanent residents will no longer need to meet a high minimum income requirement to bring family members to the UK. The Labour Party government has decided not to proceed with the planned increase in the minimum income threshold, a move that had been introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to curb immigration numbers. This decision will benefit many Indian families who were likely to be impacted.
No Immediate Changes
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced in the House of Commons that there would be no further increase in the current £29,000 (approximately Rs 31,16,757) annual income requirement until the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviews the impact of these hikes on families. “The family immigration rules, including the minimum income requirement, need to balance respect for family life with ensuring the UK’s economic wellbeing,” Cooper said in a written statement.
Review of International Recruitment
The MAC has also been tasked with examining the reliance of key sectors on international recruitment, particularly in IT and engineering, which heavily depend on talent from countries like India. “As a first step, I am commissioning the MAC to review the reliance of key sectors on international recruitment, particularly IT and engineering,” Cooper explained.
Previous Government’s Measures
Last December, the Conservative government led by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a series of measures to curb migration. From April, the minimum salary required by British nationals to sponsor long-term family visas for spouses or parents was set to increase from GBP 18,600 to GBP 29,000, with further hikes to GBP 38,700, aligning with the minimum income requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa route. These planned increases had raised concerns among analysts about their potential impact on lower-income families.
Concerns Over Stringent Policies
Simran Brar, Partner at Karanjawala & Co, highlighted the contrast between the UK’s strict policies and more flexible rules in countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia. “For example, students with F-1 visas can apply for dependents (spouse and children) to get F-2 visas. Canada and Australia also allow international graduates to work for 2 to 4 years post-graduation,” Brar noted.
Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global, emphasized the broader implications of such policies. “International students bring in significant revenue through tuition fees, which help expand course offerings and compensate for domestic student and research funding shortfalls,” Ghosal said. He added that international students provide a short-term labor supply for UK businesses and stressed the need for a balanced approach that supports economic growth and the educational sector.
Indians Among Top Visa Sponsors
According to UK Home Office statistics, Indians were the second-largest group under the Family Visa category in 2023, with 5,248 visas, following Pakistanis and ahead of Bangladeshis.
Continuing Visa Restrictions
The new Labour government has maintained many of the previous Conservative government’s visa restrictions, including those on overseas students and care workers bringing family dependents. Cooper noted the importance of protecting the immigration system from abuse while valuing the economic and academic contributions of international students.
Impact on Student Dependents
There has been a significant 80% drop in the number of dependents accompanying students to the UK, with over 26,000 fewer student visa applications made from January to March compared to the same period in 2023, according to a government press release in May
