The Home Secretary announced that the planned increase to the minimum income threshold for those bringing dependents to the United Kingdom on family visas is on hold.

Key Points:

• As BAL previously reported, the Home Office announced a plan to cut net migration by 300,000 last December by reducing the number of dependents coming to the U.K. and increasing the minimum salaries required for overseas workers and family visa applications.
• The Home Office announced a statement of changes in March outlining additional measures in partnership with the net migration reduction plan.
• In a written statement this week, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the planned increase of the current £29,000 annual income requirement (about US$36,804) for those bringing dependents on family visas will be put on hold.
• The increase is now pending until the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) completes a review of the impact of the increased income requirement.
• The requirement was set to increase to £34,500 later this year, and £38,700 next year.

Additional Information: The Home Secretary also stated that MAC will review key sectors within international recruitment, including IT and engineering. The ministerial statement demonstrates a continued support for the changes announced earlier this year, including increases to salary thresholds for skilled workers and health and care workers. Other proposed changes include eliminating the ability for Health and Care Worker visa holders filling care worker and senior care worker roles to bring dependents with them and an end to the 20% “going rate” salary discount for shortage occupations.

BAL Analysis: The statement highlights the new Labour Party’s legal migration objectives and reintroduces expected reforms to migration policy. British citizens and those settled in the U.K. who want their family members to join them will not be impacted by the planned hike to the minimum income threshold yet.