Rishi Sunak tries to allay concerns about minimum income visas: minimum wage 2023
According to Rishi Sunak, “transitional arrangements” for British nationals earning less than £38,700 who have foreign spouses are being considered by the government.There are fears that the new visa regulations will split families apart.
About minimum wage 2023
In order to bring in foreign family members, British citizens and those who have settled in the UK must earn at least £38,700 starting in the spring of next year.
At first, the government claimed that the new regulation would apply to individuals who were already in the UK and were reapplying for visas.
However, Mr. Sunak acknowledged during Prime Minister’s Questions that the policy was being reconsidered.
“The marriage plans of thousands of couples were dashed last week by the sudden announcement of a big increase in the salary requirement for a spouse visa,” Labour MP Sir Stephen Timms stated.
Mr. Sunak asserted that the income threshold had not been raised in “over a decade” and that it was appropriate that “anyone bringing dependents to the UK must be able to support them financially”.
However, he stated that an announcement would be made “shortly” and that the Home Office was considering “transitional arrangements” to “ensure that they are fair”.
Home Secretary James Cleverly stated on LBC radio that he was aware of the concerns raised by the new, higher salary threshold and that he hoped to “clarify” the regulations soon.
When asked if those who were already in the UK would be alright, he replied, “Yes. This proposal looks forward rather than backward.”
Later, Tom Pursglove, the recently appointed minister of legal immigration, faced pressure to state unequivocally that individuals who were already in the UK and made less than £38,000 would not be required to leave.
According to Tory MP Tim Loughton, a number of people, including one of his constituents, were concerned that “they may have to up sticks and move quite quickly”.
Anyone applying to renew their visa prior to the new regulations taking effect wouldn’t need to worry, according to Mr. Pursglove.
He informed the Home Affairs Committee, when asked if they would be protected in subsequent years, that “we are not intending to apply these measures retrospectively.”
He stated that more information will be released “as soon as we are able” but declined to provide any further clarification.
Opposition MPs and a few Conservatives have criticized the raising of the minimum income threshold to more than twice the previous cap of £18,600.
“It is both morally wrong and unconservative to say that only the wealthiest can fall in love, marry someone, and then bring them to the UK,” stated former Tory minister Lord Barwell last week.
In “exceptional circumstances,” where there would be “unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant, their partner, a relevant child or another family member if their application were to be refused,” the government is eager to emphasize that the family immigration rules are exempt.
Health and care workers are exempt from the minimum income threshold, which is intended for skilled workers only.
The sponsor’s income is the only one that can be applied toward the minimum income requirement when applying for the first visa from outside of the UK. A combined income of £38,700 is required for partners to qualify for extensions and permanent residence.
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