ILR 2024 changes

Those on a spouse visa also pay visa fees, another fee to contribute to the NHS and they can't have Public Funds for 5 years; unless they are an EEA/CH citizen or they used an EEA citizen to let them live in the UK under the EU rules and regs.

As immigration is one of those things in the UK that has to be paid for by those that use it, they have unfortunately also had to pay for all those using the EU rules to be in the UK with high fees!



It was Germany who invented the automobile.

Interesting how the English, with such a history of moving to/colonizing other countries for their benefit now see the reverse as such a threat.  But then, I guess every country (including the USA) with such a history does that.

[  Depends on the definition of "automobile".  Wiki has it as a Jesuit missionary in China.        ]

Given the cost and unavailability of childcare it isn't surprising to me that a number of family migrants may not work,

Those on a spouse/FLR(M) visa can have financial help with childcare, IF both parents work ( unless they are high earners).

along with the direct discrimination so many face when job hunting.

Thousands get work visas every year via an employer. 

The hostile environment has definitely made it so many companies don't want to risk employing migrants and having their visa curtailed without notice.

Creating a "hostile environment" was about those illegally living in the UK.  They don't have a visa; that's why they are illegally in the UK.
If you are really interested, you can read The Immigration Act 2014 and The Immigration Act 2016.
Those on a valid visa are in the UK under The Immigration Act 1971.

Interesting also that "native" UK women (or men) who stay home to look after families are "contributors", while newcomer women (or men) who stay home to look after families are leeches on the system.

It's also interesting that the Irish have it in their constitution, I believe, that homemakers' contributions are so important to the nation that every effort is to be made to see that they don't have to go "out" to  work to support their families to the detriment of their homemaking mission. (At least for the time being its included.)  So close, geographically, yet light-years away. 

Interesting also that "native" UK women (or men) who stay home to look after families are "contributors", while newcomer women (or men) who stay home to look after families are leeches on the system.

It's also interesting that the Irish have it in their constitution, I believe, that homemakers' contributions are so important to the nation that every effort is to be made to see that they don't have to go "out" to  work to support their families to the detriment of their homemaking mission. (At least for the time being its included.)  So close, geographically, yet light-years away. 

https://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/article/early-years-sector-at-risk-of-collapse-if-free-childcare-is-expanded-to-under-twos

There's plenty of similar articles over the last two years as well. The sector doesn't have enough employees or funding. The Tories did away with funding most of the early years programmes for low income families as well. And due to the school terms if you can't afford childcare over the long breaks you can basically only work in a school. (Have many friends who have been in this position - highly skilled and serving school lunches because it's the only workable schedule, and definitely won't be earning £38k on that)

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New BBC link today https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67705178

I can only speak about my own circumstances but I find this all ridiculous. For the last 4 and a bit years I've been the sole income earner, supporting my partner. A year and a half ago we had a baby and I went back to work after 3 months maternity.

On my current salary, 10k above the current threshold, I have no problems feeding, clothing and keeping a roof over my families head but I cannot afford childcare and I don't get any help.

My partner has to stay home to look after our child and cannot work. For my field and experience level I have no way being able to earn as much money as the new threshold is asking.

I know I'm not alone in this so the fact the government have proposed it all is preposterous. I don't need to be earning that much to support my family and it doesn't require my partner to be working. The whole thing is just horrible.

I don't think I had a point to that other than venting a little bit, sorry.

Interesting also that "native" UK women (or men) who stay home to look after families are "contributors", while newcomer women (or men) who stay home to look after families are leeches on the system.

I've been looking around on other immigration type forums-

According to the DWP staff on the welfare forums, next year the UK are closing the loophole where a single parent works, but one parent of a couple doesn't work and that couple also claim the welfare benefit called Universal Credit. Described on there as - no more being a housewife/husband unless you can afford it; that on Universal Credit there is only jobseekers unless they are exempt.

Interestingly,  I put the figure 37k into a welfare calculator and based on two children, they can still have some Universal Credit (just). I assume that £38,700 is too much to be able to have any Universal Credit.

They also said that "light touch" where the other parent only worked part-time and in doing so avoided having to go the job centre, was ending. That all those on "light touch" would be going to the job centre unless they worked full-time.

As those on a spouse visa can refuse to work and instead indirectly claim Universal Credit via their spouse who can claim benefits, once they have ILR they will then be subject to work requirements as a Settled person in the UK is.

I can only speak about my own circumstances but I find this all ridiculous. For the last 4 and a bit years I've been the sole income earner, supporting my partner. A year and a half ago we had a baby and I went back to work after 3 months maternity.

On my current salary, 10k above the current threshold, I have no problems feeding, clothing and keeping a roof over my families head but I cannot afford childcare and I don't get any help.



My partner has to stay home to look after our child and cannot work.

Has your husband looked to see if he can claim Universal Credit and get financial help towards childcare via that? Even those who earn too much between them to get UC payments, can often get the childcare part. Both need to be working. Have a play with one of the benefit calculators or he can ask a Citizens Advice benefit advisor to do that for him.

You might find that you can get some Universal Credit money every month too, which can include some help towards rent (but not mortgage). You both go on the claim but he is paid as a single person, with part of your eanings reducing the UC payment. You will have a work allowance as you have a baby (amount you can earn before the taper starts).
NOTE the benefits Universal Credit Housing Element (rent) and Council Tax Reduction can cause problems for those with a spouse with No Recourse to Public Funds. See the links below.

I hope he is claiming Child Benefit? In his name only as it is a Public Fund but your name is linked in case you earn over the CB cap.. That CB will also give him a NI Credit towards a UK State Pension.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-couples-an-introduction/universal-credit-further-information-for-couples

AND

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/17/legal-action-planned-over-uk-cruel-income-threshold-visa-rules

On 4 December 2023

The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them. Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live here must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-unveils-plan-to-cut-net-migration

Then the 8 December 2023, confirming this is about those family members who come to the UK and take Public Funds via their partner,, either directly (the welfare payment Tax Credit etc) or indirectly (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, being housed by the council etc).  £38,700 to sponsor is too much to take welfare payments.

Raising the Family Visa Minimum Income to the same threshold as the skilled worker route

To ensure people only bring dependants they can support financially, we are raising the minimum income for family visas to the same threshold as the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker, £38,700.

Why has the Minimum Income Requirement been increased by so much in one jump?

    Family life must not be established here at the taxpayer’s expense and family migrants must be able to integrate if they are to play a full part in British life. The Minimum Income Requirement has not been increased for over a decade and no longer reflects the level of income required by a family to ensure they are self-sufficient and do not need to rely on public funds.

Won’t this mean splitting up families?

    The family Immigration Rules contain a provision for 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.

Can the Minimum Income Requirement still be met in various ways?

    Yes, those with savings will still be able to demonstrate they meet the Minimum Income Requirement. This can either be in addition to a lower income or used exclusively.

 What will happen when people come to renew their visas?

    These new policies won’t be applied retrospectively and until the immigration rules are amended the minimum income threshold will remain the same.
    We are establishing the specifics of the policy, including how it will apply to those renewing visas, and will confirm more details in due course.

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/12/08/reducing-net-migration-factsheet-december-2023/

Fresh article.

Seems they've lowered the amount to 29k to start and then slowly increased

"In Spring 2024 we will raise the threshold to £29,000, that is the 25th percentile of earnings for jobs at the skill level of RQF3[1], moving to the 40th percentile (currently £34,500) and finally the 50th percentile (currently £38,700 and the level at which the General Skilled Worker threshold is set)." https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67794032

Still doesn't say how renewals or ilr is affected though.

Fresh article.

Seems they've lowered the amount to 29k

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67794032

Still doesn't say how renewals or ilr is affected though.

Let's hope it's that amount and not £38.7k.


We will know more next month.

Just found more info!!

Family migration minimum income.
Those who already have a family visa within the five-year partner route, or who apply before the minimum income threshold is raised, will continue to have their applications assessed against the current income requirement and will not be required to meet the increased threshold. This will also be the case for children seeking to join or accompany parents.
Anyone granted a fianc(é)e visa before the minimum income threshold is raised will also be assessed against the current income requirement when they apply for a family visa within the five-year partner route.
Those already in the UK on a different route who apply to switch into the five-year partner route, after the minimum income requirement has been increased, will be subject to the new income requirement.

Just found more info!!

Family migration minimum income.
Those who already have a family visa within the five-year partner route, or who apply before the minimum income threshold is raised, will continue to have their applications assessed against the current income requirement and will not be required to meet the increased threshold. This will also be the case for children seeking to join or accompany parents.
Anyone granted a fianc(é)e visa before the minimum income threshold is raised will also be assessed against the current income requirement when they apply for a family visa within the five-year partner route.
Those already in the UK on a different route who apply to switch into the five-year partner route, after the minimum income requirement has been increased, will be subject to the new income requirement.

Do you have a link to where you've seen this information?

Yes sorry here you go
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail

Fresh article.

Seems they've lowered the amount to 29k to start and then slowly increased

"In Spring 2024 we will raise the threshold to £29,000, that is the 25th percentile of earnings for jobs at the skill level of RQF3[1], moving to the 40th percentile (currently £34,500) and finally the 50th percentile (currently £38,700 and the level at which the General Skilled Worker threshold is set)." https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail

And this from your link-

There will no longer be a separate child element to the minimum income requirement, to ensure that British nationals are not treated less favourably than migrants who are required to meet the General Skilled Worker threshold as a flat rate, regardless of any children being sponsored.