1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Immigration: Tearing our family apart channel 5

Discussion in 'General Chit Chat' started by Timmers, Apr 20, 2017.

  1. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Just watching a programme on channel 5 that is extremely interesting regarding families that are separated due to the Governments financial requirement of £18,600.

    Catch the programme on the internet, it brought back a lot of memories for me :)

    There is a Brit/Fil relationship highlighted in the programme too, the chap is moaning about EU citizens in the UK not having to meet any requirements, sounds familiar @Maharg :)
    • Like Like x 2
  2. uklove
    Offline

    uklove Active Member

    I've heard of many cases like that, its very sad.
    Those on the minimum wage don't meet the requirements.
    Having said that, I earn well above the minimum wage (but I'm not rich but any means haha) and we struggle financially.
    Maybe it's good that there is a safety net?
  3. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I'll have to have a look at that later.

    I've a lot of sympathy with people in this situation.

    Yes, 18600 is not a huge salary but as long as there is no recourse to public funds, surely it is for couples to manage how best they can.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    18600 is not a huge salary...But it's more than double the state pension. How many of us on here are state pensioners ?
  5. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You will definitely enjoy the programme, its the closest I have seen yet to reality regarding our situation, interestingly a few of the people shown last night had been badly advised by their immigration lawyers.
  6. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Immigration lawyers have no idea. A decent agency can do a job, just as a poor one can't, but people are wasting time with lawyers when putting together an application.

    I watched the opening 2 minutes this morning and it looks interesting. Strange that this is hidden away on the black hole of Channel 5. It should be a national scandal.
  7. DavidAlma
    Offline

    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    Do you have a link to the on-line version Timmers?
  8. graham59
    Offline

    graham59 Banned

    An interesting programme (nothing there that forum members don't already know, of course).

    Can I be forgiven for resenting the presence of the assortment of 'refugees' and 'asylum seekers' working in my village, after presumably being financed and housed to at least some extent by the British taxpayer ?

    As I am now on State Pension, my wife does not qualify to live in this country with me, a British Citizen, and our baby... or to even be given a chance to demonstrate that we can survive here without recourse to public funds. Admitted, I can only trace my British ancestry back to the 1300s.

    Now if I were a Romanian (or other EU national) convicted murderer and rapist, with 10 illegitimate kids by 5 different women...
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2017
    • Funny Funny x 1
  9. Markham
    Online

    Markham Guest

    It's here, David: Immigration: Tearing Our Family Apart however you may need to employ a "mechanism" in order to be able to overcome geo-location problems.

    Curiously, Channel 5 are listing this series as "Entertainment" not "Documentary" ...
  10. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

  11. Maley
    Offline

    Maley Well-Known Member

    Watched it last night as soon as you (@Timmers ) posted it in the forum.

    My husband and i are on agreement with this minimum financial requirement set by the home office provided its adjusted depending on where you live in the UK (its going to be tricky implementing that provision if ever).

    Happy ending for nearly everyone on the program.
  12. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    just finished watching on catch-up.

    WOW--not what i expected--the south african guy---!!

    your comments please?
  13. graham59
    Offline

    graham59 Banned

    Was he the one who overstayed ?

    Just the sort of case that's led to visitor visas being so difficult to get ?
  14. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    well--it certainly sent a wrong message --especially to others watching who cant get a visa by the regular means.
  15. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    the chap who was trying to sell his converted flat to meet the savings method---much the same as i did...

    -----but --by me selling--i lost £000's in fees, renting--and stamp duty on purchase-----whereas if the law allowed a home owner to prove adequate equity without actually selling----and no need to have to waste 6 months waiting...?
  16. Maley
    Offline

    Maley Well-Known Member

    I am particularly irritated that he is saying 'it is his right'. Just like any 'visitor' in someone's house (lets say your future son-in law visited and stayed in your house in the UK from overseas), he cant become a 'resident' by overstaying and demand that he has a right to stay in the house since he is is married to your daughter.

    Im a filipino which extended family relation and having extended family (sometimes, even strangers) in your house is very much integral but i hate the deceit saying you are 'visiting' but you actually dont have any intention of leaving.
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
  17. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    IMO he should have done the right--legal--thing--and returned home and applied for a settlement visa just like the rest of us...just why did he get preferential treatment --i wonder .
  18. graham59
    Offline

    graham59 Banned

    Surely it is also a nonsense using a person's gross salary as a yardstick, when it is the 'disposable income' that is more relevant ? Ask any bank, credit card, or finance company.
    The whole system is now over-simplistic and inflexible, yet many aspects are (wrongly IMO) also subjective.
    The fees are now surely set at a level where applications can be given more individual attention, and some commonsense and logic applied.
  19. Anon04576
    Offline

    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    Just watched this. How did the SA guy wangle getting a 2.5 year visa after coming here on a visit visa? A kick in the teeth for those who abide by the legitimate rules. Fighting it cost them 7 grand, I dont get it!
  20. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I would think the process would get rather messy to administer if the financial requirement was adjusted to where you live in the UK, a lot of people would be moving to Northern Ireland and Wales where the salaries are lower just to meet the requirement.

    I think couples need to become aware at a early stage in their relationship exactly what the visa requirements are so they can work towards the requirement from a early stage in their relationship. For me personally I never gave it a thought until I was about 4 years into the relationship but I did have the foresight to ask the wife to get an annulment just in case which worked out quite well in the end.

Share This Page