New Delhi, April 14 -- The UK government, earlier this week, enforced a 55% increase in the minimum income needed by British citizens and residents, including those of Indian heritage, to sponsor relatives for a Family Visa as announced last year.

Starting April 11, for someone to be sponsored to come to the UK on a Family Visa, they must have a minimum annual salary of GBP 29,000, up from GBP 18,600. By early next year, this will have increased two more times to match the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold of GBP 38,700.

Noting it to be the final measure in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary James Cleverly's package to reduce legal migration, the UK Home Office said it will "ensure those arriving here do not burden the tax...