The ‘Family’ visa (more commonly known as a spouse/partner visa) is a specific visa route for the spouse/partner and children of British or Irish nationals and those who had Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before their family applied.
When the Skilled Worker changes were first announced on 4 December 2023 it was also announced that the income threshold for this ‘Family’ (spouse/partner) visa route would also increase from £18,600 to £38,700, but the Home Office have since announced that this increase will now be phased in over time.
The income threshold for this visa route will rise from £18,600 to £29,000 on 11 April 2024, and will then rise to £34,500 later in 2024, and finally to £38,700 in early 2025.
We understand that it still should be possible for new applicants under this visa route to meet the income threshold through a combination of both partner’s earnings and/or higher levels of savings, and we hope there will be transitionary arrangements.
It has been confirmed that the new increasing income threshold will not apply to existing visa holders (who applied for their visas before the April change) when they later apply to extend their visa or for ILR. They will continue to be subject to the current £18,600 income threshold instead.
The Staff Immigration Team (SIT) cannot fully assist with spouse/partner visa applications but anyone within the University with queries about the requirements and application process can contact Tim Currie
Please note: these changes are not relevant to Dependant visa holders who are family members of someone with a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or other visas, who can normally continue under and extend their Dependant visas even after the main visa holder is granted ILR.
