If you are hoping to bring a spouse or family member to the UK, or you’re working towards permanent residence, you’ve probably noticed that there have been several recent changes to immigration rules. A lot has shifted recently, and some of it could affect your family’s plans, especially around finances. On top of that, the UK is moving towards a fully digital visa system, which is a big adjustment for many people.
At Berlad Graham, we support individuals and families through immigration applications, helping them to understand their options and navigate these changes with confidence. In this blog (and as follow-up to, ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain – What Is the New Contributions-Based Model?’), our immigration team breaks down what has changed, what it means in practice, and what you should do next if you are planning ahead.
Changes to the Family Visa Income Requirements
One of the biggest changes, and the one likely to impact families the most, is the increase in the minimum income requirement (MIR) for spouse and partner visas.
Since April 2024, the MIR increased from £18,600 to £29,000 per year. That’s a major jump and caused many applicants to reassess whether they’re still eligible (or whether they need to delay plans and rethink the financial side first).
What does the MIR mean for you?
If you are a British citizen, (or have settled status) and you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner to come to the UK, you’ll usually need to prove that your combined income is at least £29,000 a year. One helpful thing to note is that although there has been speculation that the threshold will rise again, the UK Government has paused further increases while the Migration Advisory Committee reviews the policy.
Important exceptions to the financial requirements
The new £29,000 figure doesn’t apply in every situation, and the minimum financial requirements are different if:
- If you applied for a family visa before 11 April 2024 and are extending that visa, you remain subject to the old £18,600 requirement. So, if you were already on the spouse/partner route, the rules don’t suddenly change mid-way through.
- If your partner receives certain disability or carer-related benefits (for example, PIP, DLA, or Carer’s Allowance), you may not need to meet the standard MIR at all. Instead, the focus shifts to proving that you can maintain and accommodate yourselves without needing public funds.
Different ways of meeting the financial requirements
It is important to realise that there are various ways to meet MIR, and depending on your circumstances, combined income can come from:
- Employment income (current job, or previous employment across the last 12 months)
- Self-employment
- Rental income from property
- Cash savings (for example £62,500+, or savings combined with income)
If you’re unsure which category applies to you or how to evidence it correctly, our immigration team can guide you through the process and help you gather the right information to support your family visa application.
The UK is moving fully digital with visas (eVisas)
The UK is moving towards a fully digital immigration system, phasing out physical visa stickers and replacing them with eVisas. This is probably the most immediate change and affects almost everyone, regardless of visa type.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is essentially a digital record of your immigration status stored through your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account. Instead of receiving a vignette sticker in your passport, your immigration status is held electronically and linked to your passport or travel document.
When is this happening?
The move to eVisas is already underway and has been happening in stages. Since late 2025, many work, study, and family visa applications have been issued eVisas instead of physical visa stickers.
From January 2026, most applicants will receive only an eVisa, with no physical documentation issued. The Home Office has indicated that physical visa stickers will continue to be phased out across 2026 as the digital system becomes the standard.
What should you do?
If you’re applying for a visa, or you already have one, you’ll need to set up a UKVI online account (if you haven’t already). If your partner and children are joining you in the UK as ‘dependants’, then they will need to have their own UKVI online accounts to access their visas.
Via your UKVI online account, you can:
- View your immigration status
- Share your status with employers, landlords, etc.
- Update your details if you renew your passport or if your personal information changes
Changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
As highlighted in our article on ILR proposals, the UK Government has announced plans to reform eligibility criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Although the proposals are still under consultation, if passed, they could significantly impact those seeking permanent residence in the UK.
One of the main ideas under discussion is extending the qualifying period for ILR from 5 years to 10 years. There are also discussions about introducing a points-based system, where some applicants could qualify faster depending on their ‘contribution’ to UK society.
It is suggested that this could include things like:
- Stable employment and National Insurance contributions
- Strong English language ability
- Community involvement or volunteering
- No history of claiming benefits
None of this has been confirmed, and details may change as it passes through the consultation process. However, if you’re planning to apply for ILR in future, it would be worth thinking about what you could evidence and how.
The Home Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into these proposals, so we would hope to get clearer direction later this year.
How to prepare for these changes (without overwhelming yourself)
Keeping up with the various changes to immigration law can seem daunting. But taking a few practical steps now can help ensure you feel prepared:
- If you’re planning a family visa, review your finances early, so you know where you stand against the £29,000 requirement
- If you’re thinking about ILR, start considering how you might show long-term contribution if the new proposals come into force
- Create your UKVI online account as soon as possible (particularly if you travel regularly)
- Keep clear records of employment, National Insurance contributions, and community involvement
How Can Berlad Graham Help?
At Berlad Graham, our immigration lawyers have been helping overseas nationals with visa applications for many years. We are on hand to help you understand your options and prepare a strong family visa or ILR application in line with current and future requirements. Our immigration team in Uxbridge can help you with:
- Personalised advice based on your immigration history
- Gathering and presenting supporting evidence
- Support with completing and submitting your visa application
Our dedicated team of lawyers can assist with all types of visa applications and are experienced in dealing with Home Office requirements. Some individuals may have several immigration routes available to them, and we can advise on the best option and help secure the visa you need.
We can also advise on the next steps if your visa application is refused. This could involve preparing a new application and gathering the necessary documentation or submitting an appeal with evidence supporting your claim.
Family Visa and ILR Application Solicitors Uxbridge
To speak to our friendly, experienced, professional visa applications lawyers in Uxbridge today, please call 0330 175 5655 or email info@bglaw.co.uk.
