The UK government’s latest visa restrictions are likely to have far-reaching consequences for Indian families, with many people of Indian origin already demanding clarity. This comes as the new law significantly increases the minimum salary threshold for British citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members to join them in the UK as dependants.
This tightening of work visa rules is part of the UK’s wider strategy to reduce immigration levels. The impact on Indian families is palpable, with the family visa category undergoing a drastic change.
Previously requiring an annual income of £18,600, the threshold will rise to £38,700 from March/April next year. This change is likely to have a significant impact on applicants from the Indian sub-continent, with Indians making up the second largest cohort under the Family Visa category last year.
UK Home Office Minister James Cleverly explained the government’s rationale: “We will ensure that people only bring in dependants that they can financially support by raising the minimum income threshold for family visas to the same level as the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers, which is £38,700”.
The minimum income requirement for this category has remained unchanged since 2012. Reports quoting experts have said that raising the threshold will particularly affect the family plans of those on lower incomes.
The opposition Labour Party’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, reportedly raised concerns about rushed weddings in response to the impending rules and called for a swift review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
“So they should be asked to look at this very quickly and see what the best way to approach this is because at the moment it seems to have come out of nowhere with no plan at all and because there’s a possibility that this will actually lead to a big increase in rushed marriages and so on in the next few months because of the changes,” Cooper said.
The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), which represents a significant number of medical professionals of Indian origin, has sought clarity on the impact of the clampdown on overseas care workers.
“It has been very worrying and distressing for our members to read about plans to prevent overseas care workers from bringing their dependants to the UK,” the letter said.
Indian industry and student groups have also warned of the “unintended consequences” of these measures, warning that they could drive skilled Indians to explore alternative economies.
In addition, the UK government is facing scrutiny over its Rwanda legislation, which is still in the pipeline. Lobbying efforts to change Sunak’s decision have intensified.
