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Marriage visa age raised to prevent forced marriages

The age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21 as part of a crackdown on forced marriage, the Home Office announced today.

Statistics show that 30 per cent 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 today are to:

  • 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; and
  • ensure through a code of practice that specialist teams can identify vulnerable people at risk of forced marriage.

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 will mean that a young person will know in advance that a marriage will take place overseas and who their prospective partner will be.

Tough new rules will mean that anyone abusing the marriage visa system will be removed from the UK by the UKBA under a new power to revoke 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 ensure they integrate into British life. Before they come to the UK, spouses will need to sign up to an agreement to learn English. Soon after their arrival, the UKBA will check they are fulfilling their promise. If they are not, their leave could be cancelled.

Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne:

"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."

'News : Extracted from UK Official Resources

 


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