Proposed changes to UK family immigration

[joebloggs]

Family migrants must not be a burden on the taxpayer. They must have access to enough money to support themselves and to participate in everyday life – by using local shops and services for example – as a basis for integration.

Analysis of just over 500 case files from 2009 found that around 20 per cent of sponsors were either unemployed or had an income below the national minimum wage, and only 28 per cent of applicants reported being in paid employment at the point of their application.

The UK Border Agency has also uncovered a number of sponsors claiming to have adequate accommodation to support their spouse and dependants, but at the same time claiming to be homeless and accessing social housing from their local authority.

And in one specific case, a sponsor submitted evidence of his self-employed earnings, but a routine check with HMRC showed that he had declared a different income and owed £5,000 in unpaid tax.

Our message is clear – if you cannot support your foreign spouse or partner, you cannot expect the taxpayer to do it for you.

The current maintenance threshold – which is equivalent to the level of Income Support – is not enough to provide adequate maintenance. Income Support is a safety net for those who have fallen on hard times; its level does not provide an adequate basis for integration.

I have therefore asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on what a new minimum income threshold should be, so that family migrants are supported at a reasonable level that ensures they do not become a burden on the taxpayer and allows sufficient participation in everyday life to facilitate integration.

In applying a minimum income threshold, we will review whether support from third parties, which is not easy for the UK Border Agency to verify, should be allowed only in compelling and compassionate circumstances.

I also want to ensure that sponsors have adequate housing that is not provided at the expense of the taxpayer and is not overcrowded.
37 per cent of sponsors from our sample of just over 500 case files said that they were living with family or friends.

In the future, if you cannot provide a mortgage or tenancy agreement, you may be expected to ask your local authority to verify your housing is adequate and not overcrowded.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-c...mily-migration

[andy222]

I understand there point but will the minimum income depend on where you live?. We all know London is expensive.

[joebloggs]

I understand there point but will the minimum income depend on where you live?. We all know London is expensive.

not only that how can they ignore any skills or job prospects of your Filipina partner , my wife earns more than double me

and what if when it comes to apply for FLR or ILR and you've been made redundant are they going to deport your spouse

[joebloggs]

what if your retired or disabled , are they going to refuse your partner a visa, i can see lots of court cases

what will they do, if you have a child ? they have to take account of the best interest of the child.

[imagine]

what if your retired or disabled , are they going to refuse your partner a visa, i can see lots of court cases

what will they do, if you have a child ? they have to take account of the best interest of the child.

child, they proberbly tell you to go to them

[andy222]

Having thought about it guys we all have a groan but like anything else the government will do what they want. I dont think we can do anything about it.

[joebloggs]

protest, that's what some immigrants groups have done , they've taken the gov to court and won, the gov has a poor record of winning cases, it seems the only ones they do win are when its a brit is challenging them

get protesting now

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7X6HHLX

[andy222]

protest, that's what some immigrants groups have done , they've taken the gov to court and won, the gov has a poor record of winning cases, it seems the only ones they do win are when its a brit is challenging them

get protesting now

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7X6HHLX

Ok I have completed the survey. We will see.

[lordna]

'Under the proposals the unemployed or those living on less than around £5,000 a year would be banned from doing so, while the probation period before spouses and partners can apply for settlement in Britain would be raised from two to five years.'

Does this mean those spouses already here on a settlement VISA of 2 years may have the wait extended to 5 years if this is intoduced in April 2012? My wifes ILR application will be made in May 2012?

[andy222]

Im sorry lordna I dont know how to answer that one. But a phone call to the uk border agency will not do any harm.

[RickyR]

This is again the ridiculous knee jerk reactions of the government. They are not dealing with the root problem if immigration.
It's like having a car with a flat tyre and saying the best way to resolve it is to drive slower, and not thinking, well maybe lets fix the tyre.

The problem is not immigration. The problem is why people are coming to the UK, why do illegal immigrants travel across the whole of Europe to our little island instead of stopping in the South of France or the Costa del Sol? Why are people so keen to move from other parts of Europe to the UK, why not other countries?
The problem is one; that our welfare state system is broken and too generous, fix that system and people will goto other countries which are more generous. Two, harden up on the allowances for immigrants to work in the country (legal or illegal immigrants), and even foreign spouses should have a minimum period (maybe a year or two years) before they can work, unless they are qualified in a skill shortage area.
Make it so people have no reason to come to the UK, take away the abuse reasons, and only genuine people will come.
However, this is all too late, and the UK is a slippery slope. As we all emigrate to Australia/Canada/France etc, let the last Brit turn the lights out as he leaves.

[aiden]

This Law if its implement is crazy. How on earth am I supposed to bring over my kids and wife. Everythings already expensive as it is. If they bring this law in place Id rather just stay in the Phils forever and bye bye uk. Ive worked so hard all my life and now the systems letting me down big time. Im about to leave the Philippines in the next few months or so and now beginning to get cold feet.

Ive got full time permanent worked lined up in my previous company working 7 days a week ill be earning about 1500 pounds a month. This new policy looks like its not enough to support my wife and 4 kids. who are all under 16.


We are keen to learn from practice in other European countries. An example is the attachment requirement in Denmark, which requires a couple’s combined attachment to Denmark to be greater than that to any other country. It is argued that this promotes effective integration and provides a further test of the genuineness of a relationship.

To meet the attachment requirement, the sponsor of a marriage visa must have resided legally in Denmark for at least 15 years and the applicant must have visited the country at least twice.

[RickyR]

Whilst I sympathise Aiden, and I believe the system will simply strengthen the requirement for you to prove you can support your family, I do feel that if you can't support your family, why should you expect the country to let you in and you require support from the government. This in the same way as why should we be supporting people who come from abroad and are given houses, cars and money.
If they do implement the system, it needs to be fair, but it will probably be unfair.

[aiden]

Ricky.

There are some people who earn minimum salary rate which now stands at about £6.03. IF these people are earning the national minimum wage there are people out there that dont want to claim benefits you know.

Rather then making the immigrations CRAZY, yes crazy and unfair for genuine people like myself they should target the real areas.

Honestly the UK is loosing it big time. I really now want to just stay in the Philippines and seriously considering never to return if these stupid laws affect me.

IF they affect me see you UK.

Im 30 years old have my own online business plus i work too. Never claimed anything and dont owe no one anything.

These laws to me look crazy!

[joebloggs]

Whilst I sympathise Aiden, and I believe the system will simply strengthen the requirement for you to prove you can support your family, I do feel that if you can't support your family, why should you expect the country to let you in and you require support from the government. This in the same way as why should we be supporting people who come from abroad and are given houses, cars and money.
If they do implement the system, it needs to be fair, but it will probably be unfair.

support their family, if they have their own kids, them kids, will at least probably be British citizens by descent, and be entitled to the same benefits as any other kids born in the UK, nothing the gov can do there.

as for his wife, how many spouses have a job lined up b4 they come to the uk ?, how can they not take this into account, both spouses working will reduce any risks of the partner needing recourse to public funds.

i for one would rather be paying taxes and that tax going in 'public funds' and supporting a British citizens spouse than going to a European and their non British European spouse or non European spouse

[aiden]

support their family, if they have their own kids, them kids, will at least probably be British citizens by descent, and be entitled to the same benefits as any other kids born in the UK, nothing the gov can do there.

as for his wife, how many spouses have a job lined up b4 they come to the uk ?, how can they not take this into account, both spouses working will reduce any risks of the partner needing recourse to public funds.

i for one would rather be paying taxes and that tax going in 'public funds' and supporting a British citizens spouse than going to a European and their non British European spouse or non European spouse

Well said their matey. Ive been living abroad for the last 4 years. I visited the UK in June this year for a month to see my parents. Oh god alots changed in the past 4 years. The system is starting to fail me big time. All I can say is that the UK needs to change but needs to consider its citizens first. Why is the govt letting all these Europeans in. My older brothers a builder (22 years) now its hard for him to find a job because all his competitions are polish and iraqis. This is total Bulls**t.

[lordna]

Do these new rules mean my wife can apply for Naturalisation as a British citizen (after 3 years here) but cant get her ILR till after 5 years?

Cant see anything inthe consultation or naturalisation rules that says you need ILR first? hehehe

[Terpe]

Do these new rules mean my wife can apply for Naturalisation as a British citizen (after 3 years here) but cant get her ILR till after 5 years?

Cant see anything inthe consultation or naturalisation rules that says you need ILR first? hehehe

lordna,
There are no new immigrations rules.
Whatever you see on the UKBA website now still applies.

[joebloggs]

Sorry guys, was being a bit a devils advocate to promote some thoughts. I genuinely think it would be difficult under Human Rights to say that if you can afford to live in the UK, then how can they deny the visa.
My personal opinion is the UK's had its day, and it's the next generation that will suffer.
I doub't we'll ever come back to the UK, and are planning a holiday next year in Aussie to see whether that would ever be an option in the future.

no problems Ricky, there are problems with abuse, i've seen enough of it myself, but you can't keep punishing the Brit and do nothing to the Europeans who come here.

as for the UK, we will be staying here, the cost for us is cheaper than anywhere else and we've got everything here.

Do these new rules mean my wife can apply for Naturalisation as a British citizen (after 3 years here) but cant get her ILR till after 5 years?

Cant see anything inthe consultation or naturalisation rules that says you need ILR first? hehehe

they are proposed changes, and looking at the past changes i would have thought there would be a period of transition. so it probably will not effect your wife.

[aiden]

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7X6HHLX

Guys get on to it. I just filled it in.
Interesting as some questions really make you think. Please fill it in.

[RickyR]

Sorry guys, was being a bit a devils advocate to promote some thoughts. I genuinely think it would be difficult under Human Rights to say that if you can afford to live in the UK, then how can they deny the visa.
My personal opinion is the UK's had its day, and it's the next generation that will suffer.
I doub't we'll ever come back to the UK, and are planning a holiday next year in Aussie to see whether that would ever be an option in the future.

[joebloggs]

Immigration Minister Damian Green confirmed the importance of ‘tackling abuse of the family migration route’, and promoting better community integration for those who come to live permanently in the UK, the UK Border Agency reports. The Immigration Minister has outlined the proposals on a YouTube question and answer video.
You can email him on asktheminister@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

[lordna]

Immigration Minister Damian Green confirmed the importance of ‘tackling abuse of the family migration route’, and promoting better community integration for those who come to live permanently in the UK, the UK Border Agency reports. The Immigration Minister has outlined the proposals on a YouTube question and answer video.
You can email him on asktheminister@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Well i have emailed him about the transition period ....but he hasnt replied yet!

[Arthur Little]

Well i have emailed him about the transition period ....but he hasnt replied yet!

Typical! ... WHEN did you email him?

[lordna]

Typical! ... WHEN did you email him?

September 17th.....and still no reply!

[Arthur Little]

September 17th.....and still no reply!

That's 10 days ago, now ... has he replied yet?

[Dedworth]

Well i have emailed him about the transition period ....but he hasnt replied yet!

Escalate it a level or two

mayt@parliament.uk

camerond@parliament.uk