2026 Statement of Changes
The UK government published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1691) on 5 March 2026. Many people on spouse visas are wondering what this means for them.
The good news: most core spouse visa rules have not changed.
This page explains the updates in simple terms and highlights what might affect people on the family (spouse/partner) visa route.
Official source: Statement of Changes (HC 1691) – PDF · GOV.UK page
What is a Statement of Changes?
A Statement of Changes is the official document the UK government uses to update immigration rules. Updates can cover visa requirements, settlement rules, English language requirements, sponsorship rules, and technical legal corrections.
The March 2026 update mainly focuses on work visas and settlement policies, rather than family visas.
The spouse visa route has not changed
The basic structure of the spouse visa remains the same:
- Apply for a spouse visa (30 months)
- Extend the visa after 30 months
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
The relationship requirement, financial requirement, accommodation requirement, and application process are all unchanged.
English language requirements
The English language requirements for spouse visas remain the same:
| Stage | Level required |
|---|---|
| First spouse visa | A1 |
| Extension | A2 |
| Settlement (ILR) | B1 |
However, one confirmed future change is that the settlement (ILR) English requirement will rise from B1 to B2, expected around March 2027. This would only affect the final settlement stage, not the visa application itself.
For more detail, see the English Language Requirement guide.
Income requirement
The minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse remains £29,000 per year.
Earlier plans to increase this to £38,700 were paused following political debate and a review process. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is currently reviewing the financial threshold — future changes are possible, but no new increase has been confirmed.
Settlement reform proposals
The government is reviewing the wider settlement system through a policy called “earned settlement.” This proposal is still under consultation and has not been implemented.
Possible ideas include:
- A 10-year default settlement period
- Faster settlement for people who contribute more economically
- Longer routes for those with lower income or reliance on public funds
Current government statements suggest that family routes such as spouse visas may remain on the 5-year settlement path.
What has actually changed?
Most of the changes in the March 2026 update affect other visa routes, including:
- Skilled Worker sponsorship compliance
- Work visa technical rule updates
- Some nationality visa requirements
- Settlement language policy changes
- Legal and administrative corrections
These updates do not directly change the spouse visa application process.
What to expect next
Further immigration reforms are expected following the government’s earned settlement consultation.
| Timeframe | Expected development |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Government response to consultation |
| Late 2026 | Potential new immigration policy announcements |
| 2027 | Possible implementation of some settlement changes |
Key takeaways
- The spouse visa route remains unchanged in the March 2026 update
- English requirements for spouse visas (A1 and A2) remain the same
- A future change may raise settlement English from B1 to B2
- The income requirement remains £29,000
- Broader settlement reforms are still under consultation
Although immigration policy is evolving, the March 2026 Statement of Changes does not introduce major new restrictions for spouse visas. Applicants should continue to follow the existing rules, while keeping an eye on future policy announcements later in 2026.
For common worries about these changes, see Three Most Common Fears Explained.