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?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) undertook this study, which was released in June 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 policy.
The objective? To maintain equilibrium:
- The UK’s economic wellbeing,
- With people’s right to live with their families under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights – Ref.
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What Has Changed in UK 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 April 2024.
- 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)
- £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
- As of April 2024, 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?
- People raced to apply under the previous £18,600 rule, which resulted in a spike in applications prior to April 2024.
- Early 2025 saw a decline in applications, perhaps as a result of some individuals finding it more difficult to qualify due to the increased £29,000 criterion.
- In Q1 2025, 10,900 partner visa applications were submitted, which is comparable to pre-pandemic rates.
What About People Who Can’t Meet the £29,000 Threshold?
In certain situations, you might still be eligible even if your salary 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 opposed the idea of matching the MIR to the income threshold for skilled workers (e.g., £38,700), arguing that this would be unfair and split too many families.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the minimum income requirement for a UK family visa?
As of April 2024, the sponsor must earn at least £29,000 per year, increasing to £34,500 in late 2024, and £38,700 in early 2025.
Is it possible to use savings to fulfill the financial requirement?
Yes, if the sponsor doesn’t meet the income threshold, they can use cash savings over £16,000, with £88,500 fully meeting the requirement without income.
Does the financial requirement apply to all types of family visas?
It mainly applies to spouse/partner visas. Child visas may not need to meet the same income level if the child is British or already settled in the UK.
