UK Spouse's visa need at least £18,600 a year

[JimmyGreaves]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22838583

[pharvey]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22838583

Yes, the (gross annual income of) 18.6K is correct and has been a condition for some time. However, as is their wont, news agencies (including the BBC) don't always provide you with all the facts.

This relates to a "Settlement" or "Marriage" (as it was known as) visa and at the end of the day, they are looking at means of support, which is certainly not a bad thing! There are also several other factors which are (or can be) taken into account which may reduce this figure. For example property - is there a property available in which you would live.... mortgaged or mortgage free? Is there extended family in the UK, what savings does the (UK) spouse/partner have etc., etc., etc.

The LHG currently holds a 5 year muti-entry visa which enables her to stay in the UK for 180 days each visit - the 18.6K does not apply to this class of visa. As this visa runs out next year, and I am being relocated back to the UK, we are in the midst of organising a "Settlement Visa".

[arcadianagain]

Where I live in North Africa there are many male visa seekers who con older women (up to 40 years not unknown) into marriage then disappear into the system when they get their leave to remain. Whilst waiting for their visas these men expect the women to fund their lifestyle by sending funds via Western Union, supplying the latest phone and laptop and bringing presents for the whole family. Here it is a "bezness". Naturally these men love their wives but not enough to bring them here and provide for them. So the Border Agency are correct in making things tougher.

[Noz]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22838583

There are also several other factors which are (or can be) taken into account which may reduce this figure. For example property - is there a property available in which you would live.... mortgaged or mortgage free? Is there extended family in the UK

FYI seeing as you're in the process of applying, the above is irrelevant in reducing the income requirement. UKBA are only concerned that you meet the financial requirement for income/savings. What you spend, mortgage or otherwise, is not considered. That is the major criticism of the new rules. That and loss of third party support.

You need a place to stay in UK and that can be with family (invite letter, proof of ownership required) or in the sponsor's own home (or rental property, proof required), but the finances of this are of no concern. The minimum income requirement remains the same.

[pharvey]

Slightly different to what we were lead to believe Noz, but I'm not going to argue. The LHG and I are in a very fortunate position in that we have a property in the UK, we have both sufficient savings and income and not least a supportive family.
I also firmly believe that having been married for 13 years (ouch) and in that time knowing many Consulate and Embassy employees in China during their "tours", works to our advantage - ours is obviously not a marriage of convenience etc..... (believe me, the LHG can be positively inconvenient at times!!).

Trust me, my visa for China can be a damn site more difficult to obtain - look up Green Card... and that bugger is for 10 years, not for life!

[caller]

I'm curious to know the reason for this being posted now, or is it simply because its in the news?

They've also made citizenship harder, which for me is a good thing, although many looking to take their wives to the UK won't agree, added new language skill requirements and there is pretty much an annual increase in visa fees.

If only we could do the same to, ahem, those Europeans who just want to leech the welfare system and those ripping off the NHS.

[Noz]

Slightly different to what we were lead to believe Noz, but I'm not going to argue. The LHG and I are in a very fortunate position in that we have a property in the UK, we have both sufficient savings and income

Just been through the process (successfully), so feel free to PM if you need any pointers. Not that I'm professing any expertise. The other forum that need not be named, is a tremendous source of info, with loads of great free advice. There's also a lengthy discussion on this very topic.

All your savings will help (£62,500 if you want to meet the requirements by savings alone) but if using income, then only the sponsor's will count. Wouldn't matter if your wife has been earning megabucks and has a high-paying job lined up with Alan Sugar!

I'm curious to know the reason for this being posted now, or is it simply because its in the news?

An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration has just returned its findings and is calling for an independent review of the minimum income requirement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22833136

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22806941

If only we could do the same to, ahem, those Europeans who just want to leech the welfare system and those ripping off the NHS.

This is the irony. A UK settlement visa has "no recourse to public funds" stamped on it, so although the holder can receive healthcare on the NHS, no benefits can be claimed. And of course following European law, there's no income requirements for any Europeans settling in the UK, and they can claim benefits.

The government maintain that these new rules will reduce immigration and of course they will, but it'll be the wrong people (IMO) who are affected by these regulations. Also, any minimum income requirement that doesn't take into account outgoings for mortgages, loans and the like, doesn't make sense. Also in my opinion.

[caller]

An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration has just returned its findings and is calling for an independent review of the minimum income requirement.

This is the irony. A UK settlement visa has "no recourse to public funds" stamped on it

I was aware of the parliamentary bit, but the OP seemed surprised by the income level, which isn't new. Incidentally one of the lawyers on the Thailand-UK forum (a better resource than the other forum) believes that the income level will fail any challenge under human rights.

And although settlement does not give recourse to public funds, there can be a benefit via their spouses claim and of course, if kids are involved, child benefit. Once ILR is secured, then there is full entitlement to everything.

To be blunt, this wasn't designed to affect those from the Far East.

By the by, I went through this (successfully) 7-years ago as have others on here. It was a bit cheaper then!

[caller]

By the way PH, are you aware of the change in TB requirements from China?

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... rules-july

[Noz]

To be blunt, this wasn't designed to affect those from the Far East.

It wasn't but it'll adversely affect any British citizen wishing to resettle in the UK with his/her non-EU spouse, who can't show £18,600 income p.a. for 6 months or savings of £62,500.

These types are a very tiny percentage of the total amount of annual immigrants they're purportedly trying to reduce. These rules won't help in that respect. Most immigrants are economic immigrants from the EEA and the minimum income requirement doesn't apply to them.

[Big Boy]

I'm curious to know the reason for this being posted now, or is it simply because its in the news?

I assume it is to counter UKIP's growing popularity by showing that the UK Government is tackling the problem.

[caller]

That's not right BB, all this was in place or planned long before the UKIP became anything other a nuisance. The committee are discussing old news. The impact was predictable long before it became news.

The question is, is the principle a bad thing? Whether they have gone around it the right way is a separate question.

[dtaai-maai]

The government maintain that these new rules will reduce immigration and of course they will, but it'll be the wrong people (IMO) who are affected by these regulations.

[pharvey]

^ I'd certainly second that.....

By the way PH, are you aware of the change in TB requirements from China?

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... rules-july

I was not aware caller, but thanks for the heads up - yet something else to organise...

Just been through the process (successfully), so feel free to PM if you need any pointers

Much appreciated Noz, and I'll certainly take you up on the offer.

[JimmyGreaves]

You can bypass all this if you have another EU passport (Irish for example) I believe.