Review Recommends Lowering Family Visa Income Requirement

Key Takeaways

• The Migration Advisory Committee recommends lowering the UK’s family visa income requirement to £23,000–£29,000 in June 2025.
• Current minimum income requirement is £29,000 since April 2025; the proposed increase to £38,700 was paused due to opposition.
• High income requirements risk family separations, emotional distress, and financial hardship for sponsors in lower-paid jobs.

The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 is once again at the center of a heated debate over its family visa rules, as the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has called for a reduction in the minimum income requirement (MIR) for sponsoring family members. This recommendation, published in June 2025, comes after months of public outcry and parliamentary opposition to a previously planned increase. The future of thousands of families now hangs in the balance as the government considers its next steps.

Who is affected? Anyone applying for a UK family visa—such as spouses, partners, or children of British citizens or settled persons—must meet the MIR. The amount a sponsor must earn has changed several times in recent years, causing confusion and distress for many families.

What’s happening now? The MAC, an independent body that advises the government on migration policy, has recommended lowering the MIR from the current £29,000 to a range between £23,000 and £29,000. This follows a controversial proposal by the previous government to raise the threshold to £38,700, a move that was paused after strong opposition from Members of Parliament (MPs) and the public.

Why does this matter? The MIR determines whether families can live together in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. If the requirement is too high, many families—especially those with lower incomes—face long separations, financial hardship, and emotional distress. The government must now decide whether to follow the MAC’s advice or keep the current rules.

Let’s break down what this means for families, the political debate, and what might happen next.

The Current Family Visa Minimum Income Requirement

As of April 2025, the minimum income requirement (MIR) for a UK family visa is £29,000. This means that a British citizen or settled person who wants to bring their spouse or partner to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 must show they earn at least this amount per year. The rule also applies to parents bringing children, with additional amounts required for each child.

Key facts:
– Current MIR: £29,000 (since April 2025)
– Previous MIR: £18,600 (2012–April 2025)
– Proposed (paused): £38,700 (plan now on hold)
– MAC recommendation: £23,000–£29,000 (June 2025)

The MIR is meant to ensure that families can support themselves without needing public funds. However, critics say it unfairly blocks many low-income families from reuniting.

Why Was the MIR Set So High?

The MIR was first introduced in 2012 at £18,600. The government argued that sponsors should be able to support their families financially, reducing the risk of new arrivals needing government help. Over time, the threshold has increased, with the most recent jump to £29,000 in April 2025.

Earlier this year, the government proposed raising the MIR even further to £38,700. This plan was met with strong resistance from MPs across several parties, as well as from advocacy groups and affected families.

Carla Denyer, Green MP for Bristol Central, called the proposed increase “a tax on love: an ugly policy that fundamentally discriminates against migrants’ families and implies that love, and family reunification, is a privilege that people must earn enough to afford.”

The Migration Advisory Committee’s Review

In June 2025, the MAC released a detailed review of the family visa income requirement. The committee’s main message was clear: the MIR should be lowered to a range between £23,000 and £29,000.

The MAC explained:

“Determining the MIR threshold involves striking a balance between economic wellbeing and family life. Whilst a lower threshold would favour family life and entail a higher net fiscal cost to the taxpayer, a higher threshold (below a certain level) would favour economic wellbeing, but a higher number of families would experience negative impacts relating to financial pressures, prolonged separation, relationships, adults’ mental health and children’s mental health and education. The decision about where the threshold should sit on this spectrum is ultimately a political and ethical decision the government must make.”

This statement highlights the difficult choices facing policymakers. Lowering the MIR would help more families reunite, but could cost taxpayers more. Keeping it high might save money, but would keep families apart and cause emotional harm.

Political and Public Debate

The proposed increase to £38,700 sparked a major debate in Parliament and across the country. MPs from Labour, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Nationalist Party all spoke out against the plan.

Key points from the debate:
– MPs argued that the higher MIR would disproportionately hurt low-income families and undermine the principle of family unity.
– Many said the policy would make it almost impossible for people in lower-paid jobs to bring their loved ones to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
– There was concern about the impact on children, who could face long separations from a parent.

Irene Campbell (Labour) opened the parliamentary debate, and Carla Denyer (Green) called the policy discriminatory and harmful to family unity. The consensus among opposition MPs was clear: the MIR should not be raised, and may already be too high.

How Does the MIR Affect Families?

The family visa minimum income requirement has a direct impact on thousands of families every year. Here’s how:

If the MIR is high:
– Many sponsors, especially those in lower-paid jobs or working part-time, cannot meet the requirement.
– Families may be forced to live apart for months or even years.
– Children can suffer from the absence of a parent, affecting their mental health and education.
– Couples face stress, uncertainty, and financial hardship.

If the MIR is lowered:
– More families can reunite and build their lives together in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
– Children benefit from having both parents present.
– The emotional and financial strain on families is reduced.
– There may be a higher cost to taxpayers, as some families may need support.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, frequent changes to the MIR create confusion and anxiety for families, making it hard to plan for the future.

Step-by-Step: Applying for a UK Family Visa

If you are thinking about applying for a family visa, here’s what you need to know about the process under the current rules:

1. Check Eligibility: Make sure the sponsor meets the current MIR (£29,000) or can meet alternative financial requirements, such as savings.
2. Gather Documents: Collect proof of income, your relationship, where you will live, and your English language skills.
3. Complete the Application: Fill out the online family visa application form and pay the fee.
4. Biometric Appointment: Go to a center to provide your fingerprints and photo.
5. Wait for a Decision: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will review your application.
6. Appeal or Reapply: If your application is refused, you can appeal or reapply with more evidence.

Important: If the MIR changes, the eligibility rules will also change. Always check the latest official guidance before applying.

What Do Experts and Stakeholders Say?

Migration Advisory Committee (MAC): The MAC stresses the need to balance economic and family interests. A lower MIR helps families but may cost more, while a higher MIR saves money but harms family unity.

Parliamentary Voices: MPs and immigration experts argue that high income requirements are unfair to low-income families and go against the United Kingdom 🇬🇧’s values of family unity and integration.

Immigration Barristers: Legal experts point out that the system is complex and emotionally draining. Constant changes to the MIR add to the stress for families.

Government Perspective: The government says it wants to balance economic self-sufficiency with family unity, but faces criticism for policies seen as punishing families.

Opposition Parties: They argue that high income requirements are discriminatory and damage social cohesion.

Affected Families: Many families experience stress, uncertainty, and long separations because of the high MIR.

Economic and Social Implications

Lowering the MIR:
– Pros: More families can reunite, better mental health for adults and children, improved integration.
– Cons: Higher cost to taxpayers if more families need public support.

Keeping the MIR High:
– Pros: Lower cost to taxpayers, encourages self-sufficiency.
– Cons: More families separated, negative impact on children, increased stress and hardship.

The MAC’s review makes it clear that there is no perfect answer. The government must decide what matters most: saving money or keeping families together.

Timeline: Changes to the Family Visa MIR

What Happens Next?

As of June 2025, the government has not made a final decision on whether to lower the MIR. The Home Office is reviewing the MAC’s recommendations and is expected to announce its decision in the coming months.

Possible outcomes:
– Lower MIR: The government could accept the MAC’s advice and reduce the threshold to between £23,000 and £29,000.
– No Change: The MIR could stay at £29,000.
– Increase: An increase to £38,700 is unlikely in the short term due to strong opposition.

Whatever the decision, it will affect thousands of families hoping to reunite in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the MIR be lowered soon?
The MAC has recommended a lower threshold, but the government has not yet decided.

How does this affect my application?
Check the latest official guidance before applying, as the rules may change.

What if I don’t meet the MIR?
You may be able to use savings or other financial means. See the official UK government guidance for details.

How long will the decision take?
The government is expected to respond to the MAC’s recommendations in the coming months.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most up-to-date information on the family visa minimum income requirement and how to apply, visit the official UK government family visa page.

You can also read the full Migration Advisory Committee report on the UK government’s website.

Final Thoughts and Practical Guidance

The debate over the family visa minimum income requirement is about more than just numbers. It’s about real people—parents, children, and couples—who want to live together in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The government’s decision in the coming months will shape the lives of thousands of families.

If you are planning to apply for a family visa:
– Stay informed: Check the official government website regularly for updates.
– Prepare your documents: Gather proof of income, relationship, and accommodation.
– Consider alternatives: If you don’t meet the MIR, look into using savings or other options.
– Seek advice: If you’re unsure, consult an immigration advisor or legal expert.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of this policy debate will have lasting effects on family unity, integration, and the social fabric of the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Families, advocates, and policymakers alike will be watching closely as the government weighs its next move.

For more information and to start your application, visit the official UK government family visa page.

Learn Today

Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) → An independent UK body advising government on migration policy and visa income requirements.
Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) → The lowest annual income a sponsor must earn to bring family members to the UK.
Family Visa → A visa allowing spouses, partners, or children to join British citizens or settled persons in the UK.
Sponsor → A British citizen or settled person who supports a family member’s UK visa application financially.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) → Government agency responsible for processing visa applications and immigration control in the UK.

This Article in a Nutshell

The UK’s family visa minimum income requirement has sparked debate. Proposed increases faced opposition, leading MAC to recommend lowering it to £23,000–£29,000, affecting thousands seeking family reunification and balancing economic concerns with family unity.
— By VisaVerge.com