The United Kingdom’s proposed increase of the family visa threshold from £29,000(about N47 million) to £38,700 (about N80 million) has been suspended.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the decision on behalf of the new government, noting there will be no further changes until a review is completed.
The review assesses whether the ‘right balance’ is currently between ‘respect for family life’ and the ‘economic wellbeing of the UK’.
In December 2023, Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister, as part of efforts to reduce record immigration figures, revealed that from 2025, Nigerians and other foreigners looking to bring family members to the country must earn at least £38,700.
When Sunak first unveiled plans to hike the minimum income level for sponsoring foreign spouse or partner visas, he faced claims that he was ‘putting a price on love’.
However, the new administration has decided to delay the implementation of the proposed increase until a comprehensive review of the family visa policy is conducted by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated:
Cooper, however, said that the new government plans to shift its approach to legal migration, prioritising local workforce skills before recruiting from abroad.
In a related story, an immigration lawyer says it is important to know how to answer questions asked by visa officers at the US embassy.
The lady, Lelia Adams, noted that knowing how to correctly answer the US visa interview questions would improve one’s chances of getting a visa.
She said the US visa officer would likely ask what the applicant does for a living, the purpose of the visa and why the journey at the time.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
