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The age at which someone can apply for a UK marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21 as part of a crackdown on forced marriage, the UK Home Office announced this week.
Statistics show that 30 percent of the cases dealt with by the government's Forced Marriage Unit involved victims aged between 18 and 21.
The new steps significantly strengthen the safeguards against forced marriage. The five key proposals announced are as follows:
* Raise the age of sponsorship for a marriage visa from 18 to 21. * Ask foreign spouses to enter into an agreement to learn English before they come to the UK. * Introduce a power to revoke leave to remain where there is evidence that the marriage route has been abused. * Require all sponsors to register their intention to marry overseas before they leave the UK. * Ensure through a code of practice that specialist teams can identify vulnerable people at risk of forced marriage.
Commenting via the UK Border Agency (UKBA), Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said,
Forced marriage leads to victims suffering years of physical and mental abuse and — in extreme cases — unlawful imprisonment and rape. It has no place in our society.
That is why the government is determined to do everything it can to stamp it out and to ensure that victims receive the help and support they need. That is why we are raising the age limit for visas, checking anyone entering into a marriage does so of their own free will, and demanding that those coming to the UK learn English.
Any British citizen applying to "sponsor" someone to come to the UK as their spouse will have to declare their intention before they leave the UK and marry abroad. This means that a young person should know in advance that a marriage will take place overseas and should know who their prospective partner will be.
Practical guidance is also being introduced so that the UKBA staff can spot any risk of abuse. The staff of the agency also needs to spot those who are vulnerable to forced marriage, and to prevent them from being coerced into marriage. In these cases, the rights of victims will be made clear and the situation of the marriage visa will be determined.
According to the new tough rules, anyone who abuses the system of marriage visa will be removed from the UK by the UKBA under a new power of revoking people's right to stay in the country.
The government believes that those who stay in the UK must have a good grasp of English to be able to integrate into the British life. Before they come to the UK, spouses will need to sign an agreement that commits them to learn English. Soon after the arrival of the spouses, the UKBA will check whether they are fulfilling their promise. If they are not, their leave might be canceled.
Minister of State for Borders and Immigration Liam Byrne said,
British citizens have the right to marry whoever they choose. But we want newcomers to succeed in our society and sign up to the standards we have in common. That means freedom, not being forced to marry someone, and it means newcomers quickly acquiring a command of English, with consequences for those who break the rules.
Commenting on the government's announcement, Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said,
Last May, Conservatives called for the minimum age for foreign spouses to be raised to 21. We also announced policies which include a mandatory English test for those wishing to come here as spouses and registration before leaving this country for all young women going abroad to be married.
Whilst we welcome the fact the government has adopted 80 percent of our policies, we are concerned about their proposal to "ask" people to enter into an "agreement" to learn English. We would have a requirement that the spouse must have a basic knowledge of English before they come to the UK, to the standard of ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] Entry Level 3. It would be unfair and impractical to allow someone to come here on the promise that they will learn English and then remove them if they can't.
As for their code of practice for specialist teams to identify vulnerable victims of forced marriage, we have already announced that our dedicated UK Border Police will specialize in tackling this unacceptable practice. Our code of practice for entry clearance officers and Home Office officials would include separate interviews of the spouse and the sponsor. Schools would also be provided with awareness packs on how to deal with the problem, and children's services departments would be given a greater role in protecting vulnerable children.
Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action Baroness Sayeeda Warsi added,
Once again we see that where the Conservative Party leads, Labour follows. Forced marriages are abhorrent, and there is no place for them in Britain.
New guidelines will help ensure that police, teachers, and health workers recognize the signs of a forced marriage, take action, and help victims escape. A consultation published today will ensure that the government gets this advice for workers right
quote: Any British citizen applying to "sponsor" someone to come to the UK as their spouse will have to declare their intention before they leave the UK and marry abroad. This means that a young person should know in advance that a marriage will take place overseas and should know who their prospective partner will be.
does this bit include women wanting to marry egyptian men or anyother person from some part of the world . OR THIS just for young people only and a forced marriage because i feel that bit should comply to any age .Would stop certain sham marriages or would it??? Posts: 1116 | From: WARNING All stressed out & no one to choke | Registered: Sep 2008
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I think that bit is about the fact that there are many young girls who are told they are going on 'holiday' where in fact a marriage in on the cards for them and don't realise. It is only when they are over there, their families tell them what is happening. If the girl refuses sometimes she is told that she will be left there until she does (or sometimes worse ). I think this new law will work better because she will HAVE to know before she travels if her family wants her and her new 'husband' to return to the uk. If she knows this is going to happen she can try and get some help here and not go.
Of course these things will always happen but ANYTHING we can to do to try and stop is a good thing - in my book
As for a 19 year old girl going on holiday to Egypt (or any other country) and meeting a guy and wanting to marry him that shouldn't be a problem they just have to come back and apply. This is stop forced marriages, sham marriages will always happen, sad but true.
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