One important issue you must first comprehend if you intend to use a family visa to join your partner or family in the UK is the financial requirement, often known as the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR).
The UK government released an updated Family Visa Financial Requirements Review in 2025, which may have an impact on your eligibility, application process, and the amount of income you must demonstrate.
What Is the UK Family Visa Financial Requirements Review?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) undertook this study, which was released in 2025. It assesses whether the present income requirements for family visas are reasonable, legal, and workable, particularly in light of the UK’s exit from the EU and subsequent changes to immigration laws.
The objective? To maintain equilibrium:
- The economic health of the UK,
- According to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, persons have the right to live with their family. Ref.
What Has Changed in the Family Visa Financial Requirements?
If you’re applying for a UK family visa now or soon, you should be aware of the following important changes:
1# Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) Raised
- Since 2012, the MIR has been £18,600.
- It was increased to £29,000 for new candidates in 2025.
- The majority of common partner visa applications are now subject to this hike, which has been fully implemented.
Children do not require additional income. Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse alone or a partner and kids, the new MIR is a flat fee.
2# No Further Increases (For Now)
The previous administration intended to increase the MIR even more:
- £34,500 (the 40th percentile of pay for skilled workers)
- The 50th percentile, or £38,700
However, these increases were revoked following the 2025 government transition and were not codified in law. Therefore, £29,000 is still the standard minimum for the time being.
3# Armed Forces Sponsors Have a Lower Threshold
- the income threshold for members of the HM Armed Forces is £23,496.
- There is no increase for youngsters, and this is a fixed rate.
4# EU Citizens Now Subject to Financial Requirements
- EU family members are no longer able to travel freely after Brexit.
- A family member from the EU must now fulfill the same financial conditions as non-EU nationals in order to be admitted under the family visa route.
5# Who Can Apply and From Where?
- The most popular way to apply for a UK family visa is from outside the country.
- If you currently hold a valid visa (such as a student or skilled worker visa), you can also convert to the Family route from within the United Kingdom.
If you have a Standard Visitor visa, you are not permitted to apply from within the United Kingdom.
How Did These Changes Impact Applications?
- there was a spike in applications as individuals hurried to apply under the previous £18,600 rule.
- Early in 2025, fewer applications were submitted, presumably as a result of some individuals finding it more difficult to meet the higher £29,000 requirement.
- In Q1 2025, there were 10,900 partner visa applications, which is comparable to pre-pandemic rates.
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What About People Who Can’t Meet the £29,000 Threshold?
Under some conditions, you might still be eligible even if your income is below the cutoff:
1# Use the Adequate Maintenance (AM) Test (Ref) if:
- Certain UK benefits, such as disability-related payments, are received by you or your partner.
- Based on government statistics, the AM test determines if your household income is sufficient to sustain your family after housing expenses.
- Less than 10% of programs use it, nevertheless.
Data Gaps & Recommendations from the Review
Additionally, the MAC emphasized:
- inadequate Home Office statistics regarding the MIR vs. AM test’s users.
- a request that the government keep a closer eye on financial obstacles and application results.
Additionally, MAC rejected matching the MIR to the skilled worker income criterion (e.g., £38,700), claiming that doing so would unfairly separate too many families.
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Summary for New Applicants on MIR after June 2025
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| MIR (standard partner visa) | £29,000 (flat, no child top-up) |
| MIR (HM Armed Forces) | £23,496 (flat) |
| EU family members | Now subject to MIR rules |
| Apply from abroad | Most applicants do |
| Switch inside UK | Only from certain visa types |
| Use AM test | Possible for low-income benefit recipients |
| Future MIR increases | Cancelled as of mid-2025 |
Benefits of How to Qualify for UK Family Visa:
- Clear Pathway to Reunite with Loved Ones in the UK: By guaranteeing legal reunification through visa acceptance, families can avoid separation by being aware of the qualifying conditions.
- Prospect for Extended Stay in the UK: Being eligible for a family visa can secure your future in the UK by granting you Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately British citizenship.
- Access to the UK’s Excellent Public Healthcare System: After being granted a family visa, holders are entitled to the NHS’s top-notch medical care.
- Legal Permission to Live and Work in the UK: You can work or operate a business in the UK lawfully if you follow certain family visa pathways, such as those for spouses or partners.
- Children Can Get Free Education: Dependent children on family visas are able to attend state-funded schools and benefit from the top-notch educational system in the United Kingdom.
- Capacity to Establish a Life in a Diverse and Stable Society: The UK provides infrastructure that facilitates immigrants’ family settlement, safety, and multicultural integration.
- Freedom to Travel In and Out of the UK: Families have the freedom to travel without worrying about visa problems because, once granted, the visa permits multiple re-entry into the UK.
- Financial Security Through Joint Sponsorship: Sponsors can exhibit financial assistance with confidence and without surprises if they are aware of the income and savings requirements.
- Application Support Is Available If You Understand the Requirements: Being aware of the requirements increases your chances of success by enabling you to obtain focused legal guidance.
- Protection of Family Life Under Human Rights Law: Article 8 of the Human Rights Act states that the UK upholds family unity, and eligible applicants may challenge denials on the grounds of this right.
- Smoother and Quicker Application When Requirements Are Fulfilled: You can minimize delays by submitting a strong application with the necessary documentation if you fully grasp the process.
- Legal Stability and Reduced Deportation Risks: You can feel secure and at ease knowing that your legal position is safeguarded once you have a valid family visa.
- Eligibility to Transfer to Other Visas From Within the UK: If necessary, a family visa can act as a springboard to other immigration pathways, like employment or study visas.
- Encourage Access Through Local Community Services: Local councils, nonprofit organizations, and immigrant associations can offer advice and assistance with integration to those with approved visas.
- Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Family Reunification: Apart from the legal benefits, the main advantage is that you can spend more time with your parents, partner, or kids, which lowers stress and enhances general health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a UK Family Visa?
A UK Family Visa allows non-UK residents to join close family members living in the UK. This includes spouses, fiancés, children, parents, and other dependent relatives.
Who is eligible for a family visa in the UK?
To make a family visa application, you must meet any of the following requirements: Your family member/spouse is a British citizen. Your family member/spouse has ILR or settled status. You have an eligible relationship with an individual in the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
What is the income requirement for a family visa in the UK?
If you apply for a family visa as a partner, you and your partner usually need to prove that your combined income is at least £29,000 a year. This is called a ‘minimum income requirement.’ The financial requirements are different if either your partner is getting certain disability or carer’s benefits.
