In a major development for migrants seeking to reunite with partners in the UK, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has released a detailed review of the financial requirements for spouse visas under the family visa route. This review comes at a critical time, as many families have struggled to meet recently raised income thresholds.
As of April 11, 2024, the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for a UK sponsor under Appendix FM is £29,000 per year. This marked a significant jump from the previous threshold of £18,600, plus additional allowances for children. The increase was part of broader immigration reforms introduced by the then Conservative government, with a stated goal of eventually raising the threshold to £38,700. However, those future increases have been paused while the MAC review is under consideration.
The financial threshold exists to balance two competing priorities: the right to family life, as protected under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and the need to ensure that migrants do not become reliant on public funds. The government asked the MAC to examine whether the current policy appropriately reflects this balance and whether changes are needed.
The MAC’s review explored the effectiveness and fairness of both the Minimum Income Requirement and the Adequate Maintenance test—an alternative route that allows sponsors on certain benefits to bring dependants, provided their income matches or exceeds what a comparable household would receive on Income Support.
The review was informed by evidence gathered between September and December 2024. This included public submissions and qualitative research, such as interviews with affected families conducted by the research agency Revealing Reality.
One of the central critiques in the MAC’s report is that the £38,700 threshold originally proposed by the government has no clear connection to the aims of the family visa route. That figure was based on the salary threshold for skilled worker visas, which serve a very different purpose. Applying the same benchmark to family reunification cases, the report notes, is inappropriate.
The report highlights the emotional and mental toll that current income rules impose on families, especially those separated for prolonged periods. These pressures are particularly severe for children, who often suffer lasting psychological effects when cut off from one of their parents.
The MAC recommends that the Minimum Income Requirement be revised downward to somewhere between £23,000 and £28,000, with an optimal figure likely around £24,000. This would ease access to family visas for many low- to middle-income earners, especially those in part-time or service-sector roles. The report acknowledges that such a change would slightly increase net migration by approximately 8,000 people per year, or 1–3% of current levels, but argues that this is a reasonable trade-off given the human cost of stricter rules.
The committee also emphasised the importance of legal compliance. Significantly higher thresholds, they warned, may breach Article 8 of the ECHR. The Home Office must ensure that any future policy changes respect these legal protections and do not unjustifiably disrupt family life.
Another major concern was the lack of robust data. The Home Office currently holds limited information on the demographics and circumstances of family visa applicants. The MAC called for improved data collection to inform more evidence-based policymaking in future.
If the government adopts the MAC’s recommendation to reduce the MIR to around £24,000, many more families will qualify for visas. This would be especially impactful for couples where one partner earns slightly above minimum wage or works part-time. The change would provide a fairer, more compassionate route to family reunification and reduce the number of families forced to live apart.
Additionally, the report’s human-centred approach—recognizing the mental health impacts of separation and the rights of children—signals a possible shift in how immigration policy is framed and implemented. Migrants can take some comfort in the fact that policymakers are now paying closer attention to these often-overlooked consequences.
The UK government has paused the planned income threshold increases while it considers the MAC’s findings. A formal response is expected soon. In the meantime, prospective applicants should keep informed and take steps to assess their eligibility under the current rules.
If your income currently falls below the £29,000 threshold, you may still qualify under the Adequate Maintenance test if you receive certain benefits. Understanding this option and gathering appropriate evidence, such as payslips, benefit letters, and savings documentation, can strengthen your application.
The MAC’s review offers cautious optimism for thousands of migrant families. By recommending a more realistic and compassionate income requirement, it acknowledges both the human and economic dimensions of family migration. If adopted, these changes could bring renewed hope to families striving to reunite in the UK, while preserving public confidence in the immigration system.
First Migration is a private visa and immigration company offering consultancy services. We are regulated and authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority with the registration number F200700083.
If you want to apply for a UK visa, you can do so directly on the UKVI website.
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