Family Visa Financial Requirements Review: What You Need to Know

In 2025, the UK government tasked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) with reviewing the family visa financial requirements, specifically the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) and the Adequate Maintenance (AM) test, for people sponsoring partners, parents, or other dependents to join them in the UK.  

The review aims to strike a balance between the state's economic interests and applicants' right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In this blog, we explore a summary of the findings, including looking at the recent data and what this could mean for the family visa route in the future. 

 What’s Happened So Far? 

• Introduced in 2012, the MIR currently mandated that the UK sponsor must demonstrate an annual income of at least £18,600 for a partner visa, with additional amounts required for each dependent child (£3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child). Alternatively, applicants can rely on savings or other income sources, but these must meet the criteria outlined by the Home Office at that time. 

• The MIR was raised in Spring 2024, jumping from £18,600 to £29,000 per year. Plans under the previous government had proposed further raises to £34,500 and then £38,700 by early 2025, however these changes were not implemented by the new government.  

Key Takeaways from the Report 

1. Fewer People Are Applying 

Since the MIR was raised from £18,600 to £29,000 in 2024, partner visa applications have fallen sharply: 

• Applications dropped by around 28%. 

• Pakistani applicants were particularly affected, with a 39% decline. 

This shows the higher threshold is pricing many families out of joining their loved ones in the UK. 

2. Approval Rates

Historically, most family visas were granted, with an approval rate around 94%. That rate has now slipped to 86%, with around 30% of refusals directly linked to the financial requirement.  

3. Employment & Earnings

Many sponsors and applicants cannot realistically reach the new threshold. The report found: 

• Median monthly earnings for new arrivals are around £1,600, well below the MIR benchmark. 

• Even after four years, nearly half of visa holders are still earning under £20,000 annually. 

This makes it difficult for families to reunite and for applicants to demonstrate long-term financial stability.  

4. International Comparison

Many high-income countries set much lower requirements, some have none at all. Some examples of other countries’ requirement include: 

The ways in which the sponsor demonstrates that they have sufficient income to support themselves and their family varies from country to country, where a common theme is that the couple must be able to support themselves without needing to recourse to state funds. 

The UK stands out amongst its peers at £29,000, roughly the 25th percentile of income among skilled workers. 

The report considers whether the MIR should vary by region, given the significant differences in living costs and income levels across the UK. However, it concludes that a single national threshold simplifies administration and ensures consistency, despite calls for regional adjustments.  

5. Human Costs of Separation

Perhaps the most striking finding is the emotional and social impact of the policy: 

• 43% of applicants experienced family separation due to the MIR. 

• Of those, 78% reported negative mental health effects. 

• 58% said it harmed their relationship with their partner, and a similar proportion reported damage to their children’s wellbeing.  

The government has argued that raising the MIR protects public finances and encourages self-sufficiency. However, the report highlights that: 

• Many applicants already contribute to the UK economy. 

• The strict threshold may cause more harm than good by keeping families apart, limiting productivity, and damaging wellbeing. 

 Conclusion 

The review makes one thing clear: the current Minimum Income Requirement is among the harshest in the world and has significant human costs. While it reduces the number of applicants, it does so at the expense of family unity and mental health. 

The MAC’s findings suggest that a better-balanced approach is needed, one that safeguards public funds without placing such a heavy burden on families who simply want to live together in the UK. 

If you have any questions regarding the above, feel free to get in contact with our expert immigration team at info@migrate-uk.com who will be happy to assist.