Income Criteria Revised for UK Skilled Worker, Family Visas

The UK government has announced changes for family visas and skilled worker visas. From April 2024, the minimum income criteria for family visas will elevate from £18,600 to £38,700. Additionally, the minimum salary criteria for skilled worker visas will rise from £26,200 to £38,700. This significant change applies to foreign nationals seeking UK visas and British citizens intending to bring their spouses to the UK. 

Rules to Take Effect From Spring 2024

For Workers:

• Health and social care workers are exempted from the minimum salary rule of £38,700; however, they are restricted from bringing family dependents.
• The list of shortage occupations will be reviewed, and the criteria for employing foreign workers with 20% lower salaries will be removed.
• Migrants will have to pay the National Health Service's (NHS) annual surcharge of £1,035 against the existing £624, a 66% rise. 

For Students:

• Starting January 2024, international students cannot bring dependents. Only those enrolled in postgraduate courses that are designated as research programs will be allowed to bring dependents. 

For Families:

• Commencing April 2024, British citizens will have to prove their minimum income that matches the financial criteria of skilled workers, i.e., £38,700. 
• Moreover, the visa rule change would highly impact couples planning to move or stay together in the UK. When applying for family visas, couples must demonstrate that they are married or civil partners, intend to get married within six months or prove that they have been living together for at least two years.