New rules for permanent residence in the UK Spouse Visa: £29,000 not increased + B2 countdown
Let me first let many people breathe a sigh of relief: As of June 2026, the core conditions for converting a British spouse visa (Spouse Visa) to permanent residence (ILR) have not been suddenly increased - the "£38,700 surge" that has been rumored for two years has been shelved, and the £29,000 threshold is still frozen in place. But "no growth" does not mean "no pitfalls". If you don't pay attention to a few details, the 5-year path will be dragged into 10 years.
📌 Income threshold: £29,000 No increase, but there are two versions
The financial requirement for spouse visa is currently divided into two levels. The key depends on the time when your first applied for :
· First application for on or after April 11, 2024: £29,000/year;
· First application for before , and the relationship continues: the old standard of £18,600/year (plus additional allowance for children) can be used.
In June 2025, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) publicly recommended that £29,000 be reduced to approximately £23,000–£25,000, and explicitly opposed a further increase to £38,700. However, as of today, the government has not yet issued a formal Statement of Changes, and £29,000 is still the current standard. Families planning to apply in the second half of this year should pay attention to the GOV.UK announcement.
⏳ 5-year permanent residence path: no mistakes at every step
The spouse signed the classic 5-year path: first approved for 33 months, renewed once every 2.5 years (FLR(M)), and applied for permanent residence after 5 years (SET(M)). The renewal and permanent residence stages must also meet the income threshold - if the income does not meet the standard halfway, it will be transferred to the 10-year path, which is equivalent to extending the permanent residence for another 5 years.
There are two other hard indicators that are often ignored:
① relationship is genuine and continuous (genuine and subsisting): Separation and cohabitation evidence may be questioned;
② 180-day exit red line : Although the spouse visa is relatively loose on departure, the cumulative absence of more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period may still affect the determination of continuous residence. This rule remains unchanged in 2026.
🗣️ English requirements: B1 is still available, B2 is counting down
The current English threshold for applying for permanent residence is CEFR B1, plus passing Life in the UK Test. However, according to the amendment (HC 1691) submitted on March 5, 2026, the English standard of will be upgraded from B1 to B2 from March 26, 2027.
This means: If you expect to have completed 5 years before March 2027, you can prepare according to the current B1; families stuck before and after the transition period are recommended to take the language test in advance, and do not wait until the new regulations take effect.
💷 Permanent residence fees and time window
From 8 April 2026, the application fee for ILR is £3,226/person . SET(M) can be submitted no later than 28 days 5 years ago - even one day earlier will not work, and it will be a waste of time if it is too late. It is recommended that the "date of five years" be accurate to the day and work backwards to prepare the materials. Please refer to GOV.UK’s latest announcement for specific fees and forms.
Use "永居计算器 APP" to accurately calculate this five-year node to the day, and even the number of days to leave the country can help you keep an eye on it, so as to avoid discovering that the days were calculated incorrectly at the last minute.
This article is for reference only. The transfer of permanent residence by a spouse involves details such as the combination of income evidence and transitional provisions. Please consult a licensed attorney for specific questions.
💬 Chat about your UK permanent residence progress
Are you applying for a spouse visa based on the old standard of £29,000 or £18,600? Will it be stuck before and after the new B2 regulations in 2027? Tell us in the comment area when your five years will be completed, and we will help you see if the pace is right. If you find it useful, please forward it to your friends who are also applying for permanent residence in the UK - one less trap and one less year of waiting.
[Data source] GOV.UK family visa financial requirements: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income-partner | GOV.UK spouse permanent residence: https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family/partner-family-visa