Approximately half of British workers may not meet the salary threshold required to bring family members from overseas to the UK, warns research amid the Home Office's family visa changes.

As part of the government's effort to control net migration, the minimum salary for those entering on a Skilled Worker Visa is set to increase from £26,200 to £38,700 starting April 4.

The minimum income for individuals bringing dependents to the UK, such as partners and children on family visas, will incrementally rise from April 11. As of this date, British workers must earn at least £29,000 annually to bring a family member from abroad, a substantial increase from the current £18,600 minimum salary requirement.

Analysis from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford indicates that around 50% of UK workers currently earn below the £29,000 threshold. However, the family visa salary threshold is expected to rise further to £34,500 before reaching £38,700.

The research reveals that 70% of workers earn less than the £38,700 threshold slated for 2025. Despite the increase in family visas issued, accounting for only 5% of all entry visas granted, doubts are raised about the significant impact on net migration figures.

The paper cautions that these changes may result in family separations, stating, "Under the higher thresholds of £29,000 or £38,700, there are fewer jobs that qualify, and some people will never expect to find jobs that earn above the threshold."

Individuals most likely to be affected include women, those under 30 or above 50, and individuals residing outside the southeast, according to the analysis. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has criticized the visa crackdown, expressing concerns about potential economic damage to the capital. Home Secretary James Cleverly, while acknowledging a firm approach, stated that the measures aim to bring down migration to sustainable levels. Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.