London, Thanasis Gavos

The new, increased income threshold for residents who want to bring their foreign spouse into the country comes into force from today.

This limit increases from 18,600 to 29,000 pounds (gross annual income) and by March 2025 it will rise to £38,700.

The purpose of the measure is limiting the arrival of immigrants to the country.

Home Secretary James Cleverley said the UK was at a turning point in terms of mass immigration. “There is no simple solution or easy decision that cuts the numbers to levels acceptable to the British people. Only decisive action, together with strong will, will bring about the necessary change,” added Mr Cleverley.

However, the measure has been criticized as harsh, as in several cases it makes it difficult for families to be reunited on British soil. Lawyers and campaigners have accused the government of “dismantling the idea that the UK is a place where families can thrive”.

Many British and foreign residents of the UK have described in recent months the great stress the measure has caused them, as they are unable on the basis of their income to bring their spouses from abroad via the family visa route.

The average annual salary in the UK in 2023 was almost £35,000.

As part of government measures to curb legal immigration to the UK since last week, the annual salary a foreign national must earn to qualify for a skilled worker visa has also increased from £26,200 to £38,700.