Family Visa Financial Requirement Increase Confirmed

Following a Supreme Court ruling last year that directed the Home Office to revise the so-called 'minimum income threshold' with greater regard to the welfare of children, the government has now laid regulations confirming the new level from 1 June 2026.

The baseline requirement for a sponsoring partner with no dependant children will rise from £34,500 to £45,600 per annum, with an additional figure of £5,200 for the first child and £3,800 for each subsequent child added to the total. The so-called 'savings top-up' provision that previously allowed applicants to cash-sum shortfalls will be capped at 30 per cent of the shortfall, rather than the previous 100 per cent.

Notably, the regulations make transitional provision for couples where a substantive application was submitted before 1 June 2026, who will continue to be assessed under the old rules. However, any fresh applications submitted on or after that date — including applications to extend leave granted under the previous regime — will be subject to the new threshold.

Campaign groups have already indicated that they are considering a further legal challenge on the basis that the new threshold remains substantially above median UK household income and therefore continues to disproportionately affect British citizens with partners from lower-income countries, particularly in South Asia and Africa.

If your family application is in progress or being planned, we strongly advise a detailed case assessment to understand exactly how the changes will affect your specific facts, including whether any flexibility may be available under the 'adequate maintenance' provisions or exceptional circumstances policy.