As set out in our article back in December the Home Secretary had announced an the intention to increase the minimum income requirement for UK partner visas to £38,700 in the spring of 2024.
Whilst this increase is still going ahead, the Government have now decided this increase will happen in stages. The first stage will happen on 11th April 2024 when the minimum income requirement of a ‘UK sponsor’ in a partner visa application will increase to £29,000.
Current minimum income requirement
The minimum income requirement was first introduced in July 2012 and is currently set at £18,600. The Government has confirmed that individuals already on the partner route will not be expected to meet the higher income level and will instead continue to able to rely on the current rules after April.
The minimum income figure increases if you are applying for leave to enter or remain with a child who is coming with you to the UK. Currently this means an extra £3,800 for the first child, and £2,400 for each additional child. We await confirmation of whether these amounts will be increased also.
Exemptions to the minimum income requirement?
As set out in our earlier article there are limited exceptions to the minimum income requirements and we currently expect those exemptions will remain.
What can I do?
If you are able to meet the increased salary threshold requirements, then this should not make a difference to your application or your plans as to when to apply. However, if you are planning to sponsor a partner to join you in the UK and currently earn less than £29,000, you may want to consider making the application before the rules change.
You might benefit from making an application for your partner as a fiancé or proposed civil partner to come to the UK. You may meet the requirements to apply as an unmarried partner. You may also want to consider bringing forward planned dates for your travel or marriage if you do not expect to be able to meet the new higher threshold.
Bear in mind that the Government still intend eventually increase the salary level to £38,700 over 2 further stepped increases. Though we do not have the dates for these it is expected the first will be in the latter part of 2024 and the final increase will be in early 2025. You might also therefore consider whether there is opportunity for a change to a job with a better salary or second job.
You should bear in mind that under the rules the UK sponsor/partner must have been earning the required minimum salary level for a least 6 months as at the date of application.
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