UK visa income test ‘cruel’ barrier to family reunions, says charity

Sean, a South African citizen, and his two children celebrate his daughter’s 16th birthday on a Zoom call with his wife Jayne, their mother, who is in the UK. Photograph: handout

Thousands of children are facing Christmas with one of their parents stranded abroad due to the Home Office’s restrictive visa policies, prompting charities to call the UK one of the worst countries for family reunion.

Under family immigration rules, a British citizen or settled resident has to earn a minimum of £29,000 before an application can be made for a visa for a non-UK spouse to live here.