UK Family Visa New Minimum Income Financial Requirements Review 2025
Understanding the UK Family Visa Financial Requirements in 2025: New Minimum Income Rules and Key Changes
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In June 2025, the UK government updated the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for Family Visa applicants, impacting how much income is needed to sponsor a partner or family member to join you in the UK. Here’s what you need to know about these changes and how they may affect your application.
What Is the UK Family Visa Financial Requirements Review?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducted a Family Visa Financial Requirements Review, assessing whether the current income rules are fair, lawful, and practical after the UK’s exit from the EU and recent migration policy reforms.
The key goal is to balance the UK’s economic wellbeing with the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Key Changes in the Family Visa Financial Requirements
Here are the main changes affecting the UK Family Visa financial requirements for 2025:
1. Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) Raised
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The MIR for family visa applicants has increased from £18,600 to £29,000 for new applicants.
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This increase applies to most standard partner visa applications.
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No additional income is required for children. The new MIR is a flat rate whether you’re sponsoring a partner only or a partner and children.
2. No Further Increases (For Now)
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Previous plans to further increase the MIR to £34,500 and £38,700 were canceled after the change of government in 2025.
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For now, £29,000 remains the standard requirement.
3. Armed Forces Sponsors Have a Lower Threshold
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HM Armed Forces personnel have a lower threshold of £23,496 (as of April 2024).
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This rate applies to both partner-only and partner-plus-children cases.
4. EU Citizens Now Subject to Financial Requirements
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After Brexit, EU family members must now meet the same financial requirements as non-EU nationals under the Family visa route.
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They no longer benefit from free movement rights under EU law.
5. Who Can Apply and From Where?
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You can apply for a UK Family visa from outside the UK (this is the most common route).
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You can switch to the Family route from within the UK if you’re on a valid visa (e.g., Student or Skilled Worker).
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You cannot apply from within the UK if you’re on a Standard Visitor visa.
Impact of the New MIR on Applications
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Surge in Applications: Before the April 2024 change, many applicants rushed to submit their applications under the old £18,600 rule.
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Decrease in Applications: In early 2025, applications dropped, possibly due to the higher £29,000 threshold, making it harder for some people to meet the financial requirements.
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Q1 2025 Partner Visa Applications: The number of partner visa applications in Q1 2025 was 10,900, similar to pre-pandemic averages.
What If You Can’t Meet the £29,000 Threshold?
If your income is below the new £29,000 threshold, you may still qualify under special circumstances:
1. Adequate Maintenance (AM) Test
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If you or your partner receive certain UK benefits (e.g., disability-related benefits), you can use the AM test.
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The AM test considers whether your household income is enough to support your family after housing costs, based on government figures.
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However, it’s used in less than 10% of applications.
Data Gaps & Recommendations from the Review
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Lack of Proper Data: The MAC highlighted a lack of proper Home Office data on who uses the MIR vs AM test.
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Government Monitoring: The MAC recommended that the government better monitor application outcomes and financial barriers for family visa applicants.
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MIR vs Skilled Worker Salary: The MAC also rejected the idea of aligning the MIR with the Skilled Worker salary threshold, stating that this would unfairly separate 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 | ❌ Canceled as of mid-2025 |
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Final Thoughts
The UK’s new Family Visa Minimum Income Requirement policy in 2025 has brought significant changes, including a higher threshold of £29,000. Understanding these changes is crucial when planning your application, as it can impact your ability to sponsor family members. If you don’t meet the new financial requirements, the Adequate Maintenance test could offer an alternative route.
Call to Action:
Are you ready to apply for the UK Family Visa? Ensure that you meet the new financial requirements or explore alternative options like the Adequate Maintenance test. Stay up-to-date with the latest information and plan your family reunification with the UK Family visa.
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