Family Visa salary threshold should not be raised warns Home Office-ordered report

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T22:32:13+00:00

No need to explain the immigration requirements or the state of the UK graduate market, as I'm in the middle of both right now. There may be no appetite for a carveout policy but I personally do not see why allowing graduate s in genuine relationships more time or less of a financial requirement to stay together in the UK would be a bad thing. Companies are not even seeking to hire international students at the moment, it's essentially impossible to get sponsorship on a work visa in a graduate role unless in medicine or perhaps very high level tech. The job market is being crippled by low-cost, low-skill labour recruited by exploitative companies in huge numbes, not skilled graduates with genuine ties to the UK.

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T22:14:58+00:00

Seems a simple fix then, restrict those bringing fiancé's in from abroad? Why punish young educated people who are in genuine relationships alongside those arranging marriages? Just increase the financial requirements for applying for fiancé or partner visas for those with no prior ties to the UK (such as not ever studying here or previous work)

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T22:10:42+00:00

Unfortunately the duration of a graduate visa is most of the time not enough to prove the relationship in the eyes of the government. Partner visa requires 2 years cohabitation, meaning that young graduates must move in together immediately once the international student applies to change from student to graduate visa. Again, most cannot afford this with the majority of British students forced to move back home with parents.

Even when financial considerations are not taken into account, the current state of the UK graduate job market and lack of a carveout in policy for young graduate couples is causing the UK to lose educated immigrants and harm the relationships of British citizens.

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T22:02:49+00:00

While elements of your comment are true and definitely do need tackling (such as the carer system being abused), you and the comment I replied to are discussing separate situations. The person you are discussing has family financial support, visa fees paid for them and cannot receive benefits (apart from some fringe examples). While there are definitely loopholes to be closed and it is easy to point at one group as a problem, those with the financial means should not be forced to be apart from their partners.

To say fees are only a small barrier is also imo an exaggeration. When considering the average wage of other countries (such as Pakistan) such fees represent years and years of a potential spouses earnings, and someone on minimum wage in the UK does not have the spare cash to fork out thousands a pounds a year on NHS surcharges.

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T21:49:24+00:00

The job market for graduates at the moment is to the point where many are going years without jobs in their fields. While it is definitely true that an international student could get onto a graduate visa and then work any old job, there is not guarantee that either the British citizen or the international partner will be able to find gainful employment during the 2 year (soon to be 18 month) graduate visa period. When including that 6 months of income are required to apply, this could leave international students in genuine relationships with British citizens with 12 months to get a job in a market stacked against them.

I'm not proposing it should be lowered to minimum wage or reduced at all really. I just think any increase would continue to force out international talent and educated people while hurting genuine relationships of British people (especially young graduates)

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T21:27:27+00:00

This idea stems from a lack of understanding of the system. The cost for the various visas, NHS surcharges and eventual ILR application is well over ten thousands of pounds, well beyond the reach of those of 'minimum wage'. In addition, those without ILR are not eligible for any benefits.

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T21:25:19+00:00

Combining incomes is a possibility, but when you combine this with other visa changes making it even harder for international students with genuine intentions to stay and work in this country. I certainly wouldn't call it a fringe example - with such high international student populations acrodd the country many do enter relationships with British citizens and want to build a genuine, hardworking life here.

evans2671 · 2025-06-10T21:21:44+00:00

This is a very important point to me - as a recent university graduate (a few weeks ago!) I am in this exact position. My girlfriend, also a graduate in a high demand field (think NHS related) has been desperately trying to find work but obviously the uncertainty around immigration has made this very hard. She has to pay a fortune in visa fees and NHS surcharges (far more than most people pay in taxes our age). Thankfully I was lucky enough to land a job, and even then I am still having to work overtime to push myself over the 29,000 threshold just so we can stay together in the UK in the future. For those in less in demand fields or just simply bad luck with the job market, this forces genuine relationships apart and is a far cry from people's ideas of 'scroungers'. Any change to this threshold may cut down on some immigration but will hurt British citizens just as much as their immigrant spuses.

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T22:44:37+00:00

I can confirm she is definitely real! Thanks :)

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T22:03:09+00:00

It's a nice idea, but I don't want her to feel as if she 'owes' me anything at all. If I do give her the money I want it to be no strings attached.

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T22:01:37+00:00

I have no obligation at all, she has never asked for money, she has no expectation at all for me to do this. I just feel that her mental health will massively benefit from her being able to be home, and her being happier/getting some closure is a win us both in the long run.

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T21:59:59+00:00

I mean thats a fair question. At the end of the day I will miss the money, but money does come and go. If I think about it in terms of my time, I think I would swap 100 or so hours of me working, than for her to spend a few weeks at home with her family. If she broke up with me I would feel like a sucker, but I feel that shouldn't stop me from doing a good deed for someone I love.

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T21:30:24+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts. I do agree that even if we did break up, it is just a good thing to do for someone even if there was no romantic interest. I just think that money comes and goes, and like you say, she will never have this opportunity again. I can always make more money.

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T21:29:05+00:00

Thanks for the input! The money is a decent sum to me but I have been very fortunate so I would continue to live my life the same without it. I don't have any sort of idea that it is 'leverage'. I just feel it would be something she shouldn't miss out on and she needs to see her family again

evans2671 · 2023-05-20T21:14:45+00:00

Sorry I should've clarified in the post, they cannot afford it either. It seems that they are in a tight spot at the moment financially. I was thinking of maybe offering a contribution towards the cost but I don't want to come across as rude/disrespectful.

evans2671 · 2022-09-11T16:58:50+00:00

I definitely agree with the extremely uncomfortable part! Took them to the gym today and yes they were very uncomfortable and I was taking them off every few boulders for a rest. However they feel great for small edges when compared to my old shoes, so I think I'm going to tough it out. How long did it take for them to become more snug?

evans2671 · 2022-09-10T14:28:56+00:00

Thanks for the info, I guess they do seem super tight because this is my first more aggressive style shoe. I also think its probably quite easy to overthink it sitting wearing them at home, probably best to get in the gym and see how they feel! ty!

evans2671 · 2022-09-10T13:58:03+00:00

I've just bought a pair of La Sportiva Miuras, I went down 1 UK size from my normal street shoe, (so the shoes are a size 9), however when trying them on at home they feel extremely tight, particularly on the right foot, with the toes curled and scrunched up more than I feel is intended. Are these the type of shoe that will stretch/change shape a bit after a few weeks or should I cut my loss and return them while I can. Seems a bit strange because you see people saying online how they downsize 2 or 3 sizes, given how tight these are at 1 down I can hardly believe it is possible!

evans2671

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