15 August 2025
The Migration Advisory Committee or MAC suggested changes to the current UK family visa policy for the government to consider, including greater flexibility in how the financial requirement may be met. Key proposals include allowing reliance on job offers and the UK-based sponsor’s projected future earnings in support of partner and spouse visa applications; considering the principal applicant’s income earned outside the UK at the initial entry clearance stage; combining cash savings with the sponsor’s self-employment earnings; and simplifying the rules surrounding self-employed income and how it can be used to meet the minimum income requirement. MAC further recommended that any future increases to the minimum income threshold should be announced at least one year in advance to give applicants and their UK-based sponsors adequate time to prepare. The Home Office has stated that the government is considering MAC recommendations and will respond in due course, although no specific timeline has been provided for an official response.
