Overview

• Independent Migration Advisory Committee recommends cutting the family visa minimum income requirement to between £23,000-£25,000 to balance economic stability with family unity.
• The current £29,000 threshold, raised from £18,600 in 2024, ranks among the highest in comparable high-income countries.
• British citizens with non-EU partners say the policy forces them to live apart for months or years, causing psychological distress.
• Applicants face an intricate process with extensive documentation, fees of around £2,000, plus the risk of visa refusal for any errors.
• The Home Office has not announced a timeline for a decision on the MIR, promising a response to the review “in due course.”