Well it looks like the UKBA will make it more difficult for spouses of British Citizens or those holding LTR to join their partners in the UK if they accept the proposal from the Migration Advisory Committee.
The MAC have put forward a proposal that a UK resident sponsoring their spouse to join them in the UK should be earning between £18,600 to £25,700 and by imposing this threshold it would reduce the level of migration into the UK by 45% and 63% respectively.
The MAC stated in their report that they took into account Article 8 (2), the right to private and family life and their recommendations is to prevent couples becoming a ‘burden on the state’.
If the UKBA accept the MAC’s suggestions, it looks like we would see a salary restriction imposed in April 2012. I think this is the first of many changes to come in the family categories….so watch this space to see what the MAC and UKBA think up next!
