My son is currently facing a challenging situation which brings us together for this petition. He is due to marry in the Philippines. However, due to the high-income requirements imposed by the UK government on citizens who wish to sponsor their family members for visas, we can only afford for him to visit her once a year.
The stipulated income benchmark qualifying a person to sponsor a family member or a loved one is too high for ordinary working class families to meet. This policy not only affects our family, but many others across the UK are in similar predicaments. Unfortunately, this means families might be forced to separate, impacting the mental wellbeing of millions.
According to the Migrant Rights Network, approximately 47% of Brits wouldn't earn enough to sponsor a foreign partner (Independent, 2017). This practice is discriminatory, penalising people for their wealth, or lack thereof, rather than considering the strength and legitimacy of their familial relationships.
We are calling upon the UK government to reconsider these requirements, taking into account the social and emotional impacts of their policies. Help us unite families and strengthen bonds, irrespective of wealth status. Sign the petition today to join the fight towards a more understanding and inclusive immigration policy for all.