The Spouse Visa Minimum Income Threshold Increase: One Year On

One Year On from the Spouse Visa Income Threshold Increase

In April of 2024, the minimum income threshold for Spouse and Partner visas rose from £18,600 to £29,000.

This was planned to be the first stage of what was supposed to be several increases until the threshold finally reached £38,700, as originally mapped out by the then-ruling Conservative party.

However, after the Labour party were elected to power a few months later, these further increases were brought to a halt pending an investigation from the Migratory Advisory Committee (MAC).

A year has now passed since the first income threshold increase, and a number of things have occurred in the UK, particularly in regards to discourse around the Spouse visa income threshold and the potential future of the income threshold requirement.

Application Numbers for the Spouse Visa

One of the most immediate and telling effects that the minimum income threshold increase has had on the Spouse visa is the number of applications that have been submitted since it was enforced a year ago in 2024.

The above chart, taken from the most recent Home Office entry clearance application statistics, clearly demonstrates the impact that the income threshold increase has had on applications between April 2024, when the policy was enforced, and today.

While Family visa applications were generally increasing throughout 2023, numbers started to rise significantly towards the end of the year, when the Conservative government announced their intention to raise the minimum income threshold to £38,700.

It should be noted that when this was first announced, there was not yet any indication that this would be undertaken in stages, or that the income threshold would eventually come to rest at £29,000 instead of the maximum £38,700 as planned. This may have contributed to a surge in “panic applications” from people worried that they would not be eligible for the impending increase.

Applications eventually peaked in April 2024 to a total number of 12,700 – over 5,200 more than that of December 2024 – like due to a high number of applications being submitted in time before the policy came into effect.

After April passed, however, numbers dropped dramatically to 6,900 in May and then to 5,100 in June, which was the lowest number of Family visa applications received since February 2022.

Numbers since then have steadily been climbing again, but whether or not they might take another hit may be dependent on the outcome of the MAC review due in a couple of months’ time.

Debates and Discussions in Parliament; Public Discourse

Since the minimum threshold increase was implemented, parliamentarians have discussed and debated the policy at length.

Most recently, an official debate was held in Westminster Hall amongst MPs, most of whom spoke against raising the threshold any further.

There have also been several stories and reports in the national press of individuals and their families who have been adversely affected by the minimum increase, specifically due to the fact that the increase to £29,000 has excluded some applicants from being able to bring spouses or partners to the UK.

This has also variously been described by campaigners as a “tax on love”, with some arguing that the income threshold is an “unfair and inhumane” way to exclude lower-income families from being able to come and live in the UK.

There have been calls for the current government to scrap any further increases to the minimum income threshold, with some activists and rival political parties suggesting scrapping the minimum income threshold altogether.

Increase to Spouse Visa Application Fees

Independent of the minimum income threshold is the increase to Spouse visa application fees, which came into effect on 9 April of this year.

The previous fee for applications made outside the UK, £1,846, has been increased to £1,938. Furthermore, applications made inside the UK have been increased from £1,258 to £1,321.

Fees for numerous other UK visa and nationality applications have also been increased, including for work visas, indefinite leave to remain and student visas.

Although it is unlikely to have a significant impact on application numbers, especially as UK visa fees typically increase every few years, it may still make applying for Family visas more difficult and expensive for applicants in future.

Is the Minimum Income Threshold Likely to Rise Further?

Both Labour and the Conservatives have pledged to bring down migration numbers in the UK, with each side generally agreeing that too many people are immigrating to the UK.

However, Labour are currently under pressure to address a situation that has attracted significant negative press in the past year and a half, particularly from family and immigration campaigners. Halting further increases beyond the £29,000 mark may have been an acknowledgment that the original plans laid out by the Conservatives were altogether too rash and did not consider the significant emotional impact the policy would have on families.

In turn, Labour have stated they will take the MAC’s review into the income threshold into account when deciding how to proceed with the requirement, although there is no guarantee that they will take any recommendations that are put forward to heart.

A number of factors may influence their decision, including the impact that raising the threshold will have on overall migration numbers, and if numbers can instead be reduced in other areas instead.

Labour will also likely consider the economic and social impacts of such a policy, and whether raising the threshold may outweigh perceived benefits as opposed to negatives.

How Can IAS Help?

If you’re looking to come to the UK on a Spouse visa and are concerned about the minimum income requirement or are unsure of how best to navigate future changes, IAS can help.

We are a team of expert and compassionate immigration lawyers who can work with you to explore all of your options to enable you to reunite with your partner in the UK. We can help advise and assist you to navigate the UK immigration rules to help reunite you and your partner in the UK, or help with any other immigration issue you may have.

We can also provide expert advice if you or your partner do not meet the Spouse visa financial requirements, providing a complete assessment of your situation and offering tailored advice to help your case.

To arrange an advice session with one of our advisers, reach out to us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us via our online form.