For those of you planning to reunite with loved ones in the United Kingdom through a Family Visa, a crucial element you must understand is the financial requirement, officially known as the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). As of 2025, recent updates and reviews from the UK government are shaping how applicants demonstrate their financial stability, impacting everything from income thresholds to application eligibility.
Let’s break down the latest developments to help you navigate this essential part of your UK Family Visa application.
Unpacking the UK Family Visa Financial Requirements Review
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent public body that advises the UK government, published its comprehensive Family Visa Financial Requirements Review in June 2025. This review was commissioned to evaluate whether the existing income rules for family visas are fair, lawful, and practical, particularly in light of the UK’s departure from the European Union and recent shifts in migration policy.
The MAC’s core objective was to strike a delicate balance: ensuring the UK’s economic well-being while upholding individuals’ right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (for reference, see: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/human-rights-act/article-8-respect-your-private-and-family-life).
Key Changes to UK Family Visa Financial Requirements
If you’re preparing a UK Family Visa application now or in the near future, these are the critical changes you need to be aware of:
1. Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) Has Been Raised
- For years, the MIR stood at £18,600 (since 2012).
- However, in April 2024, this threshold was significantly increased to £29,000 for new applicants.
- This increase is now fully implemented and applies to most standard partner visa applications.
- Important Note: The £29,000 is a flat rate; there is no additional income requirement for children. This means whether you’re sponsoring just a partner, or a partner and children, the £29,000 threshold applies.
2. No Further Increases (For Now)
You might have heard whispers of further planned increases to the MIR, potentially rising to £34,500 or even £38,700 (which is the 50th percentile of Skilled Worker income).
- Good News: These proposed increases were not written into law and have since been cancelled after the change of government in 2025.
- So, for the time being, £29,000 remains the standard requirement for most applicants. This provides a level of stability that many families have been hoping for.
3. Lower Threshold for Armed Forces Sponsors
If your sponsoring partner is a member of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, a different, lower income threshold applies:
- The income requirement for HM Armed Forces sponsors is £23,496 (as of April 2024).
- Similar to the standard MIR, this is also a flat rate with no additional income required for children.
4. EU Citizens Now Subject to Financial Requirements
Following Brexit, the freedom of movement for EU family members has ended. This means:
- If you are applying to bring a family member from the EU to the UK, they must now meet the same financial requirements as non-EU nationals under the Family Visa route. This is a significant change for many EU citizens and their UK-based family members.
5. Who Can Apply and From Where?
Understanding where you can submit your application is vital:
- Most commonly, you will apply for a UK Family Visa from outside the UK.
- It is also possible to switch to the Family route from inside the UK if you are already on a valid visa (e.g., a Student visa or a Skilled Worker visa).
- Crucial Caveat: You cannot apply from within the UK if you are on a Standard Visitor visa. Please ensure your current immigration status allows for a switch to the Family route if you are considering an in-country application.
Impact of These Changes on New UK Family Applications
The adjustments to the MIR have had noticeable effects on application trends:
- There was a surge in applications before April 2024 as many individuals sought to apply under the previous £18,600 rule.
- However, applications saw a drop in early 2025, likely due to the higher £29,000 threshold making it more challenging for some to qualify.
- Despite this, the number of partner visa applications in Q1 2025 (10,900) is similar to pre-pandemic averages, suggesting the system is finding a new equilibrium.
What If You Can’t Meet the £29,000 Threshold?
If your income falls below the £29,000 threshold, don’t despair immediately. You may still qualify under special circumstances by using the Adequate Maintenance (AM) Test:
- This test applies if you or your partner receive certain UK benefits (e.g., disability-related benefits).
- The AM test assesses whether your household income, after housing costs, is sufficient to support your family based on government figures.
- However, it’s important to note that the AM test is applied in less than 10% of overall applications, indicating its specific nature for particular situations. For detailed guidance, refer to the official document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d98031a87d546feeda018f/Appendix+FM+and+Adult+Dependent+Relative+Adequate+maintenance+and+accommodation.pdf.
Insights and Recommendations from the MAC Review
The MAC’s review highlighted important data gaps and made recommendations for future policy:
- The committee pointed out a lack of consistent Home Office data regarding who utilizes the MIR versus the AM test.
- They urged the government to better monitor application outcomes and identify financial barriers that families face.
- Significantly, the MAC rejected the idea of aligning the MIR with the Skilled Worker salary threshold (e.g., £38,700). Their reasoning was that such an alignment would separate too many families and was deemed unfair. The MAC’s report suggests a more balanced MIR would be in the region of £23,000 to £25,000 (Source: MAC’s Family visa financial requirements review, June 2025, GOV.UK).
Summary for New Applicants on MIR (After June 2025)
Here’s a quick recap of the financial requirements for new UK Family Visa applicants as of mid-2025:
For the full detailed report, please refer to the official Family visa financial requirements review on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-visa-financial-requirements-review/family-visa-financial-requirements-review-accessible.
Navigating immigration policies can be complex, but by staying informed about these key financial requirements, you can significantly strengthen your UK Family Visa application and move closer to reuniting with your loved ones.
