PLAN TO HUGELY INCREASE FINANCIAL THRESHOLD FOR FAMILY VISAS

On 4^th December, the Home Secretary made a shock announcement that the financial threshold for family visas will rise in the spring of 2024, from £18600 per year to £38700.

This has understandably caused a lot of anxiety and distress, even amongst people already living in the UK as the dependants of those who are British or settled.

We do not as yet know the date when this change will be implemented nor whether it will apply to those who are already here when the time comes to extend their permission.

We will of course post updates when we know more but would meanwhile suggest that anyone planning to apply under the family route does so as soon as possible, obviously assuming they are eligible.

This makes sense in any case given the looming increase in the Immigration Health charge, due to be introduced on or shortly after 16^th January 2024.