Equalities Minister calls on UK Government to change family visa
rules.
Changes to the UK Family Visa Route would support the wellbeing
of married couples and families by helping them reunite in
Scotland, according to a new Scottish Government report.
Under current rules, people living in the UK need to earn a
minimum of £29,000 to bring an immediate family member from
abroad to live here.
Planned increases to this threshold were paused in July 2024 by
the UK Government, which is currently seeking views on whether
the requirements should continue in their current form.
The Scottish Government report sets out evidence that the minimum
salary requirement does not support Scotland's interests, and
disproportionately impacts women and part-time workers.
Equalities Minister said:
“This Valentine's Day, I am calling on the UK Government to make
the changes needed so that couples and families who do not meet
the current financial requirements can be reunited.
“People who live in Scotland should be able to build a life with
their spouse and raise children here – wherever in the world
their husband or wife is from. Allowing more people to bring
their families to live here would enrich communities, support
public services and contribute to the economy.
“The UK Government's review of the income threshold is welcome,
and the Scottish Government is clear that the minimum income
threshold needs to be reduced or removed altogether to allow more
families to build their lives here in Scotland.”
Sarah is from the Scottish Borders. She
is currently living in Perugia, Italy with her husband and their
three children. Sarah would like to return to Scotland with her
family, however due to the minimum income requirement, they are
unable to move to the UK.
Sarah said:
“The minimum income requirement is currently preventing me from
living in Scotland with my Italian husband. As a mother to three
young children meeting the threshold is challenging especially
since I'm expected to do so whilst being separated from my
husband and caring for my children alone.
“I am faced with a choice between separating my family or
permanent exile. It is a cruel policy which places unnecessary
emotional and financial strain on families. A new policy should
be implemented to ensure that families like mine can stay
together.”
Demi Kara is from Edinburgh. She married her husband, who is from
Adana, Turkey, in 2024. Due to the minimum income requirement,
the couple are currently living separately in Scotland and
Turkey.
Demi said:
“A price on love seems very much unfair. Younger long distance
couples have no chance in this generation – you pay the price and
put your life on hold, or you leave, it's as simple as that.
“I put my degree on hold to fight for my husband to be by my side
– a basic right every person should have. A change the minimum
income requirement would allow my life to be whole, allow my
heart to be full of love and not broken and torn between two
countries.”
Background
In April 2024 the salary threshold for someone to bring an
immediate family member to the UK was raised to £29,000, with a
further raise to £34,000 scheduled for later 2024. In July 2024
the threshold was paused at £29,000, and the Migration Advisory
Committee were commissioned by UK Home Secretary to review the financial
requirements of the family visa.
In December 2024, the Scottish Government responded to the
Migration Advisory Committee's call for evidence, expressing its
belief that the UK Government should look to reduce or remove the
financial requirements.
The Scottish Government's response will be published online
on Friday 14 February. A pdf version of the response is available
on request.
