Concerns are growing over the impact of new UK family visa rules, with fears that more families could be separated due to the introduction of a minimum salary level for those seeking to bring loved ones to the UK.
Implemented by the Home Office, the new measures, announced in December, aim to reduce net migration following a surge in arrival numbers. As of April 11 this year, applicants for visas to reunite with family members from overseas must earn at least £29,000 per year.
This significant increase in the minimum income requirement, up from £18,600 previously, is part of a broader plan by the government to further raise the threshold to £38,700 by next spring.
The impact of these changes is felt keenly by families both in the UK and abroad. For British citizens or settled residents hoping to bring foreign partners or spouses, as well as potentially children, to live together in the UK, the hurdles have become significantly higher.
Caroline Coombs, co-founder of Reunite Families UK, a non-profit organization aiding families towards the visa process, underscores the challenges faced by many. Her husband, originally from Ecuador, has been embroiled in the visa process for eight years, striving to secure indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Another poignant case is that of Gary Pepperd and his wife Shayenne, originally from Brazil. Despite their marriage in 2017, the couple has been forced to live apart due to visa restrictions. Unable to meet the previous income requirement, Mr. Pepperd was compelled to relocate to Brazil to be with his wife.
The new rules exacerbate an already complex and costly process, leaving families like the Pepperds facing prolonged separation and uncertainty.
The Home Office, defending the changes, emphasizes the need to reduce migration levels, citing last year’s issuance of 1.44 million visas, with only a small fraction allocated to family-related matters. Tethering the minimum income requirement to the general salary threshold for skilled workers, the government aims to align migration policy with broader economic ambitions.
However, for families grappling with the practical implications of these regulations, the focus remains on the human toll of prolonged separation and the daunting challenges of an increasingly restrictive visa system.
