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Commonwealth Immigration Consultants
Authorised for UK immigration advice by the Immigration Advice Authority (Registration Number F200100020)

January 23, 2026 Uncategorized

Important update on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system

The UK government continues the roll-out of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system which will be strictly enforced from 25 February 2026. This system was first introduced in 2023 and has been rolled out in different phases. Up to now the system has not been strictly enforced to allow time for travellers to prepare. But from 25 February 2026 UK Visas and Immigration will be requiring all eligible travellers to hold an ETA. This news article aims to answer most of the key questions around

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April 3, 2025 Uncategorized

Migration Advice Committee – Review into UK spouse visa financial requirements

On 30 July 2024, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that she was instructing the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review into the financial requirement for UK spouse visas (including partners, fiancés). In the meantime, the minimum income requirement has remained frozen at £29,000 per annum for new applicants, and £18,600 for those already holding spouse visas from before April 2024. In this article we will take a look at how the review has been undertaken and outline some key dates ahead in

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October 9, 2024 Uncategorized

UK immigration updates on E-visas and Electronic Travel Authorisations

New E-Visa system to take effect on 1 January 2025 Holders of UK Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) need to be aware that from 1 January 2025 such documents will have expired and need to be replaced by a new online “E-visa”. Over the last few years, BRPs have been issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2025 even though one’s actual visa status may extend much further. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have been developing a new digital immigration system which will replace the

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July 31, 2024 Uncategorized

UK government postpones increase in financial requirement for spouse visas

The Home Secretary has announced that future increases in the financial requirement for spouse visas (and other family visas) will be postponed while the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducts a full review. The previous government had increased the financial requirement from an annual income of £18,600 to £29,000, with further increases planned to eventually bring the annual figure to £38,700 in 2025. The MAC review is likely to take several months to be completed so the financial requirement will remain at £29,000 during this time.

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April 11, 2024 Uncategorized

New financial requirement – updated guidance published today

New guidance has been published today in relation to the change in the Minimum Income Requirement.As predicted, there is a clear distinction between those applying after 11 April 2024 and those who are already within the 5-year Partner route.The guidance outlines how the new requirement is £29,000, except for “transitional arrangements” for those already on the 5-year Partner Route.The evidence to support income remains the same. The formula to calculate cash savings remains the same. There is no additional financial requirement for children applying as

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March 14, 2024 Uncategorized

UK Immigration Rules update, Family and Skilled Worker visas

Further clarification has been provided around changes to Family and Skilled Worker visas following the publication of a new set of Immigration Rules, published today 14 March 2024. The changes to Family visas will be effective from 11 April 2024. From that date the minimum income requirement to sponsor a partner (includes spouse, civil partner, fiancé etc.) will increase to £29,000 per annum from the current level of £18,600. This is part of an incremental increase with the level set to rise to £34,000 in

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January 31, 2024 Uncategorized

DATES FOR IMMIGRATION CHANGES ANNOUNCED

Through a Home Office statement we have now been given more information on the timeframe for implementation of some key immigration changes. On 11 April 2024 the minimum income requirement for Family visas will be increasing from £18,600 to £29,000. This will be effective for all new applications submitted from that date. Those who already have a Family visa (i.e. spouse, partner, fiancé) will not be subject to the increase. Instead, such applicants will continue to be assessed on the previous £18,600 level and that

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December 22, 2023 Uncategorized

Update on new financial requirement for Family visas

The new financial requirement will NOT apply to those who already have a Family visa or are in the process of applying for one (spouse / partner / fiance etc.). The financial requirement will remain at £18,600 for those extending their visas (FLR) or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The new higher financial requirement will initially be set at £29,000 from “spring 2024” and will only be applicable to those applying for their visas for the first time. This was confirmed yesterday in

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December 9, 2023 Uncategorized

Immigration changes for Skilled Worker and Family Visas

On 4 December 2023, the Home Secretary announced sweeping changes to Skilled Worker and Family visas. The main points include; • Implementing a minimum salary level of £38,700 (up from £26,200) for Skilled Worker visas. • The Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for family visas will also be raised. This will be a very significant increase from £18,600 to £38,700. This includes those applying as spouse and partners of British citizens. • The Shortage Occupation List will be amended with several occupation to be removed. Also

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September 6, 2020 Uncategorized 0 Comments

EU Settlement Scheme – Deadline Approaches

As the end date of 31 December 2020 approaches for the UK’s transition period with the EU, it is important that EU citizens and family members in the UK are aware of the steps they need to take to secure their residence in the UK. The EU Settlement Scheme has been in operation in one form or another since 2018 and has seen millions of successful applications. The Scheme will issue applicants either with “Settled Status” (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or “Pre-Settled Status”. Settled Status

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