11 December 2024 deadline for submissions to MAC's crucial review of minimum income requirement increases
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has launched a call for evidence as part of its review of the financial requirements under the UK's family immigration rules.
Image credit: WikipediaYou can access full details of the call for evidence here on GOV.UK, including the links where you can respond. Responses can be made in a personal capacity or on behalf of a group, organisation or government body.
Last week, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, formally commissioned the MAC to review the financial requirements for family visas, with a particular focus on the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR).
In a letter to the MAC, Cooper highlighted the Government's commitment to reducing net migration while maintaining a fair immigration system, noting that the current MIR is set at £29,000 following an increase in April 2024. The Home Secretary asked the MAC to evaluate further proposed increases put forward by the previous Conservative government to raise the MIR to £34,500 and then to £38,700 by early 2025.
Yvette Cooper said she would be grateful if the MAC could complete its report in a timescale of nine months. In response, Professor Brian Bell, Chair of the MAC, confirmed the Committee's acceptance of the commission, stressing the importance of receiving timely data from government and Home Office colleagues in order to meet the nine-month deadline.
The MAC is now seeking input from individuals and organisations to gather a broad range of perspectives on the impact and effectiveness of the financial requirements. The call for evidence is open to sponsors, those being sponsored, or anyone with relevant insights into the policy. The deadline for submissions is 11 December 2024.