The Migrant Advisory Committee (MAC) recently published its report reviewing the minimum income requirement.
In April 2024, the minimum income requirement was raised from £18,600 to £29,000. There was a further increase proposed to £38,700 to bring the minimum income requirement in family visas in line with skilled worker visas.
The Home Secretary asked the MAC to advise on how to set a minimum income requirement for the Family route that balances economic wellbeing and family life.
The report ‘Family Route: Financial Requirements Review’ dated June 2025 sets out a number of recommendations to the minimum income requirement and how this is applied in practice. Some of the recommendations include reducing the minimum income requirement so that it is in line with National Living Wage, simplifying the evidence required to meet the income requirement and allowing cash savings to be combined with all earnings from employment and self-employment.
Although the MAC have recommended a range of £24,000 to £28,000, the review is only advisory and the government are not bound to take on their recommendations. However, the review is positive in that it has advised the government against raising the income requirement to £38,700. The minimum income requirement currently remains at £29,000 and applicants should watch the news closely for any announcements in the coming months.
If you wish advice on making a family application and meeting the financial requirement, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced solicitors in our immigration team for advice and assistance.
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