More Migrant Misery

Charities have warned job losses during the pandemic could risk thousands of migrant families being torn apart because they no longer meet the minimum income requirement for spouse visas, which stipulates that the applicant and their partner must have joint earnings of £18,600 per annum.

Immigration minister Kevin Foster said couples who had lost their jobs could still meet the income requirement in “a number of ways”. He added: “For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.”

Campaigners claim it is “absurd” for the Home Office to assume that people have enough savings to meet the income requirement if they’ve lost their jobs, saying this is “asking the impossible”.

Caroline Coombs, co-founder of Reunite Families UK, said: “The rules by their very nature affect those with less income and so what savings and investments are they expected to access? Our members have been working hard to try and meet the already challenging minimum income requirement but have now — through no fault of their own — been thrown into huge financial and visa uncertainty. These are people in loving relationships who are, like a lot of people right now, trying to keep their heads above water. This is not helping our families at all, it’s asking the impossible.”

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants echoed her remarks, saying: “This is absurd. How much do the government think most people have in savings? Let alone people forced to spend thousands on visa applications.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-home-office-income-requirement-families-spouse-visa-savings-a9495071.html