We are just as surprised and disappointed in the UK Home Office’s recent changes (link) to visa requirements. A major update for the spouse visa is the significant increase in minimum income required (£18,600 to £38,700) for British citizens who want to bring a foreign family member or partner to live with them in the UK. This is a substantial change that requires careful preparation. Here at Visa Matcher, we’ve reviewed these changes, and below are some ways that applicants can consider preparing for the increase:
1. If possible, complete your application ASAP
These new visa changes will come into effect in the Spring of 2024, so if you have your documents in order and are already close to fulfiling the current £18,600 financial requirement, please go ahead and submit your application. This will allow you to apply with the existing requirements, making the renewal much easier (as you can combine both incomes instead of just relying on the sponsor’s).
2. Consider moving to Ireland:
If you’re determined to live in the UK with your spouse, there is one direct way to get you there if you’re patient. Fortunately, UK citizens can live and work in Ireland without restriction. This allows you to apply for your family members to join you in Ireland. Once you can secure a visitor visa for your family member, you can apply for a residency card (link). This allows you to have up to 5 years’ residence and then apply for citizenship within 3 years if you meet their requirements (link). Once you become an Irish citizen, you can live and work in the UK without restriction.
3. Combine your cash savings with income
If you earn less than the annual income threshold of £38,700, you can use savings to bridge the gap. Savings can be in the form of any legal source, including a gift from a family member or other third party, provided the source of the cash savings is declared. This could help families where the applicant is earning less than the £38,700 in income needed.
Note: the minimum amount of savings you must hold is £16,000
Use the following formula to determine how much your savings can reduce your income requirement:
For example, if you and your partner hold £30,000 in savings, this would reduce your income requirement the following: (£30,000-£16,000) ÷ 2.5 = £5,600. If you subtract the £5,600 from £38,700, you would need £33,100 in another source of income, such as employment, to meet the income requirement.
4. Use Cash Savings Exclusively
The most straightforward way to meet the Home Office’s spouse visa financial requirement is through savings. Your savings must be at least £62,500 in a current, deposit or investment account of the name of the applicant and/or the sponsor. More importantly, your funds must saved for at least 6 months before applying. Finally, you would need to declare the source(s) of the cash savings (link) in your application.
In general, the saving journey is a bit like a stroll through the British countryside—steady and measured. If you and your spouse manage to tuck away considerable savings each month, you’ll reach the financial requirement sooner than you expect!
5. Transition to careers that pay over £38,700
If you’re young and/or determined enough, switching careers might be an option to meet the new UK spouse visa financial requirement. Here is a straightforward list of professions in the UK that commonly offer salaries over £38,700:
- Information Technology (IT) Manager
- Finance Manager
- Pharmacist
- Marketing Manager
- Engineer (various disciplines)
- Medical Practitioners (Doctors, Dentists)
- Air Traffic Controller
- Pilot
- Legal Professionals (Solicitors, Barristers)
- Senior HR Manager
Note: A lot of these jobs do require a degree and additional certification, so please consider these additional investments and training
Remember that UK immigration policies can be complex, and individual circumstances vary. Consulting with professionals and staying informed about any updates to the requirements will be key in navigating these changes successfully.
Feel free to leverage our guide (link) that can help you navigate the process!