This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Remove UK spouse visa financial requirement and fees for long term marriages
The Government should remove the current financial requirements and fees for spouses of British nationals where they have been married for over 6 years and are able to meet strict evidence requirements that they are in a durable relationship with their British partner.
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You don't want anyone gaming the system, but after several years of marriage/ solid evidence of a durable relationship it should be fine.
I am in the absurd situation where I am British, my children are British, but my wife has to pay £1538 just for the first spouse visa, and from £1560 - £2350 for the NHS surcharge. I also have to prove I earn over the £18600 threshold, which means I'll need to return to the UK without my wife until I have evidence that I've earned over this threshold for six months.
I understand the above rules for newlyweds but not serious married couples where there is clear evidence of a durable and genuine marriage
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Related activity
Income thresholds for spouse visas debated by MPs
MPs debated minimum income thresholds for partner and spousal visas on 23 April 2024.
The debate was led by Paul Blomfield MP.
The Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove MP, responded on behalf of the Government.
The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and held in Westminster Hall.
What is a Westminster Hall debate?
Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.
Visual explainer: Westminster Hall debates
What is the Backbench Business Committee?
The Backbench Business Committee is a group of MPs who can schedule debates for backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) either in the House of Commons Chamber or Westminster Hall.
MPs can make a request for a debate on a topic of their choice, to the Backbench Business Committee, which decides which debates to schedule.
Find out more about the Backbench Business Committee
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