2016-Dec 02: Minimum Income Threshold – Dependents of Essential Skills work visa holders

Visa Pak 288: Information on the Minimum Income Threshold for Essential Skills Work Visa holders to support their dependent children.

Visa Paks

2 December 2016

Immigration instructions state that dependent children of holders of work visas granted under the Essential Skills work instructions will only be granted a student or visitor visa if their parent(s) meet a minimum income threshold.
 
It has recently been queried as to how immigration officers should calculate whether an Essential Skills work visa holder’s income meets the minimum income threshold. Instructions at U8.20.1 and V3.10.1 state that evidence must be provided to satisfy an immigration officer that the parent meets the minimum income threshold. This can only be calculated on base salary and to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

The purpose of the minimum income threshold requirement is to ensure that dependent children have an appropriate level of financial support, given these families are not eligible for state-funded income support.

The minimum income threshold should be calculated based on the number of hours stated in an applicant’s employment agreement as this is what an applicant will be contracted to work on a normal week.