In Spring 2024, the minimum income requirement (MIR) to be eligible for the Family Visa in the UK increased from £18,600 per year to £29,000 per year. Plans under the previous Government proposed to increase the MIR further, first to £34,500, then to £38,700.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) commissioned Revealing Reality to explore experiences of individuals applying for the UK Family visa, with a focus on how these financial requirements may influence decision making and impact couples wanting to live together in the UK.

We conducted 30 qualitative interviews with a diverse sample of sponsors and applicants with both successful and unsuccessful applications across different income thresholds. This approach allowed us to gain a detailed understanding of couples’ decision-making processes, challenges encountered, and the impact of the financial requirements on family life.

The MAC has now published our full report.