RE:RE: Desperate Adivce

[darren-b]

What I do think is really unfair is the apparent assumption that no one can form a meaningful partnership below the age of 21. I really hope that discretion will be used when applying this rule.

I thought the aim of raising the minimum age to 21 was to try and stop the number of forced marriages in the UK (especially involving spouses from India) rather than because the Government believes that no one can form a meaningful partnership below the age of 21. I've since figures from 2005 stating that about 1 in 5 applications for a marriage visa from India involved a spouse under the age of 21.

[PeterB]

I thought the aim of raising the minimum age to 21 was to try and stop the number of forced marriages in the UK...

So, effectively saying that marriages involving a party who is under 21 are probably arranged marriages - therefore we will prevent them from coming to UK.

Anyway, if it's to stop forced marriages in UK, why does the law now not allow visa applications from those under 21 who are already married?

[darren-b]

So, effectively saying that marriages involving a party who is under 21 are probably arranged marriages - therefore we will prevent them from coming to UK.

I guess it must be a high enough proportion to make it sensible to put the restriction in place. The age limit was only raised from 16 to 18 a few years ago for the same reason.

To be honest I've been following this forum for a while and I've only noticed a few couples who would be affected by this restriction.

Anyway, if it's to stop forced marriages in UK, why does the law now not allow visa applications from those under 21 who are already married?

There's no point blocking fiancee visas and then allowing marriage visas as the British spouse would just get married abroad first.

[joebloggs]

they raised it to 21 because people were being forced into marriage, look at the doc who was 33yrs old in the news recently who was held hostage be her parents, after being tricked into going to Bangladesh for an arranged marriage.

i watched a tv program i think it was filmed in India, where the British embassy had a help line, where they would go and visit with police, British citizens who were being forced into arranged marriages by their parents and try to free then , and get them back to the uk. those who worked at the british embassy went out of their way to help and free them, so for once a to the embassy..

[PeterB]

they raised it to 21 because people were being forced into marriage, look at the doc who was 33yrs old in the news recently

So, how much does this change help? There must be another way to police this than simply blocking entry by age. There are two people on this forum right now who are suffering undue stress because of this arbitrary law.

[joebloggs]

So, how much does this change help? There must be another way to police this than simply blocking entry by age. There are two people on this forum right now who are suffering undue stress because of this arbitrary law.

my point was if they can do this to a 33yr old, whats happening with the under 21yr olds

[darren-b]

So, how much does this change help? There must be another way to police this than simply blocking entry by age. There are two people on this forum right now who are suffering undue stress because of this arbitrary law.

A better way would be to only block marriage visas to under 21s from certain countries/communities, but I guess that might cause problems with the countries/communities involved.