Lowering UK’s income requirement for family visas ‘would increase net migration’

The UK’s current £29,000 threshold is high compared with other high-income countries reviewed by the committee. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Ministers could cut the amount a British citizen or settled resident must earn to apply for a partner’s visa but that would result in a rise in net migration, a report by the government’s independent immigration panel has said.

The migration advisory committee said that ministers could set any future minimum income threshold between £23,000 and £25,000. Since April 2024, applicants have had to earn at least £29,000 to apply for a visa for their partner.