China Romance
General Discussion and Useful Links => Useful Links And Articles => Topic started by: Willy The Londoner on June 09, 2010, 02:05:06 am
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The following has just been announced by the new British Government today.
You fellars still hoping to get your lady to the UK had better send her for English lessons. It is just another way of cutting immigration to the UK. Some of you men better get ready for a longer separation or come here to work! So now you do not have to just prove your marriage is genuine and that they do not need financial support - they have added speaking English.
Willy
English rules tightened for immigrant partners
The new measures will apply to marriages and civil partnerships
Ministers are bringing forward to the autumn measures requiring many immigrants marrying UK citizens to prove they have a command of English.
The measures, which Labour had planned to introduce in July 2011, will apply to partners coming to the UK from areas outside the EU, such as South Asia.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the move would "help promote integration".
Campaigners said they supported efforts to help immigrants learn English, but the plans were discriminatory.
Under the new rules, anyone from outside the EU applying for a visa to join their spouse or partner will have to prove they have a basic command of English, to help them get by in daily life, before their application is approved.
The measure applies to same-sex partners.
At present, visa applicants have to show only that their marriage or partnership is genuine and that they can financially support themselves.
The home secretary said: "I believe being able to speak English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.
"It is a privilege to come to the UK and that is why I am committed to raising the bar for migrants and ensuring that those who benefit from being in Britain contribute to our society.
"This is only the first step. We are currently reviewing English language requirements across the visa system with a view to tightening the rules further in the future."
In 2009, 59,000 people from outside the EU were granted a visa to live with their partner in the UK.
Officials estimate that the new language test will lead to 10% fewer applications overall and it is likely to affect most the UK's Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.
The spousal visa allows someone to stay for two years, after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Applicants must then pass a further test on life and language in the UK.
Hina Majid, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said she supported helping immigrants to learn English, but the plans were discriminatory.
"Take the young girl [from a developing country] who meets the love of her life and wants to come over here to be with him," said Ms Majid. "It may take her several years to pass and in that time they may not be able to live together in the UK.
"It's unnecessary, it's costly and it will tear migrant families apart."
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well thats sad news for everyone involved!!! and i am sure the usa will follow suit also after they see this!!! and maybe a few more countries.
i guess they think with all the economic problems out there this might help solve some of it which is exactly what they do when there is a
problem look in the other direction.
also i guess Sara and I will have to put up with you since you cant take Angel back to the UK lol!!!!!!!!
just joking dont get your feathers ruffled hahahaha
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Who cares? Anyone with any sense (or money) will leave this sinking ship anyway >:(.
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Pretty draconian for the ones already settled there and contributing to society and paying taxes. Will they be forced from their houses which they own and deported?, unworkable in my opinion. Would hate to to see the same thing happen in Ireland.
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It will not affect anyone who already has a visa.
Before the visa is granted in China they will have to prove their English capabilities before getting a visa to get to UK.
Brett I think the word is out through the World and it is unlikely you will get residency anywhere.!!! Well you must have upset half the world now and that was only in the past six months!!!!!! ::) ::) ::)
Willy
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Irishman,
While I think of it. How easy is it to get a visa to visit Ireland.
A visitor visa for the UK cost 750 rmb wonder if it is cheaper to take my wife for a holiday in Ireland then we can travel to UK as a visa in Ireland will allow her to travel with me into UK. ;)
Willy
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As Ted said the US will follow this lead. But it won't be for the latino population here. There are some (most) that have been here 30-40 years and not know one word of english? I wonder if this is just aimed at Asia or not?
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Actually, to be honest, I don't mind requiring people having to have a basic knowledge of the language to immigrate here. I don't know about the test of UK history part, but making sure my lady is not trapped in the house (even if it is only at first) is a good thing (and I live in a chinese area).
That part I don't see being harsh. A basic level of communication is necessary. But beyond that, the rest should be up to the person.
(again, I don't know about having knowledge about UK history or lifestyle is that critical at first)
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Vince,
i hope if it starts in the USA they do include everyone. that would be pretty pathetic if they just single out the asian population
dont you think?? but then again we are talking about the good old govt so nothing should really surprise us any more
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Mustfocus,
I do agree with you to a point, with Canada would they have to learn french and english, seeing as these are both our official languages? This could be worth keeping an eye on.
???
Dave C
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in six months I learned to speak "Eh"
Mike O.
This will be required learning for all canadian imigrants! Hahahaha!!! ;D
Dave C
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Irishman,
While I think of it. How easy is it to get a visa to visit Ireland.
A visitor visa for the UK cost 750 rmb wonder if it is cheaper to take my wife for a holiday in Ireland then we can travel to UK as a visa in Ireland will allow her to travel with me into UK. ;)
Willy
Interesting question Willy, i have no Idea is the answer! probably best to write to the Irish embassy in Beijing for the answer on that one - http://www.embassyofireland.cn/Ireland/Visa_Information/indexContact.htm (http://www.embassyofireland.cn/Ireland/Visa_Information/indexContact.htm)
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Interestingly Willy, I have read that people with expired visas here can drive/take bus/train etc to Northern Ireland (no border checks any more) and from there they get the ferry to Scotland or Wales and no checks on that either as is all in the UK.
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This test only applies to non EU citizens who want a visa to live with their partner in the UK, not tourists or people already settled. Surly this is not a bad thing. To function in any country you have to have a rudimentary understanding of the language and I believe it will help integration and foster understanding between communities. The thing is I don't believe the government is doing it for these reasons, I think it's a cheap shot at trying to curb immigration. Did you know that an anagram of the new prime minister's name is " random advice" coincidence I think not!
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Paul,
as usual an interesting observation. and i agree a shot at curbing immigration
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Hey Dave,
Actually for us, I would make it a requirement that you need at least a basic understanding of at least one official language (most likely dependent on where you live here). If you can learn the basics of both, then more power too you! You increase the chances of getting employed. But I want people to be able to at least be able to communicate things like help, I'm lost, yes, no, etc. They don't need to be able to discuss the theories on foot-traffic in downtown Toronto (at least at first), but just enough stuff to help them stay safe when they get here. After that, it's up to them to expand upon what they know.
Mike: Have you learned to eat poutine yet? ;D
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You what poutine is??
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Poutine will give you a heart attack.
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Poutine is french fries, cheese curd, and gravy. Very yummy!
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The thing is I don't believe the government is doing it for these reasons, I think it's a cheap shot at trying to curb immigration. Did you know that an anagram of the new prime minister's name is " random advice" coincidence I think not!
I am with Paul. We know how UK governments work. They announce this one day then the following day they say University fees will have to rise considerably. This results in fewer youngsters going to Uni. That leaves the way open to get many more foreign students in who pay high fees. These students need visas to stay here for the duration of their couses. They know that these extra visas will show on the figures and and to keep them down they restrict entry to the a section that is easier to control.
Who is to say how difficult they can make the questioning. The private offices that run the visa sections for the UK Gov. could use words that even I do not know the meaning of just to keep their rejection quota up.
Next the UK Gov will be introducing English lessons at an enormous fee and only people who have attended a complete course will be able to go to the UK to live.
Mind you I am an immigrant myself now. Hope the gov. do not make a rule about learning Chinese before I can stay longer!!!!!!!!!!!
Willy
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thats an interesting observation Willy. are the universities in england controled by the
government or are they completely seperate entities? just curious
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Ted like here in China they like to think that they are seperate entities. But in reality that is far from the truth.
In England they are all public schools. Except for public schools which are ALL private! Great being English isn't it?
Takes us back to cricket ' batsman is out when he is in etc etc'
Willy
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No, Willy,
the most important cricketing expression is this classic piece of commentary:
The batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willy ;D
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Ahh yes. I forgot that classic from Brian Johnson.
For the sake on Non Englishman. Michael Holding was the batsman at the time Graham Willy was bowling. Brian Johnson was the English commentator
It is like the other classic never to be repeated. Well not tis year at least In the dying seconds of the 1966 world cup final England were beating Germany. The commentator was saying 'People are on the pitch. They think it is all over' in that split second we scored another goal and without a pause in breath he added' It is now"
Willy
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Willy
There are so many great cricket classic's and that was one of them ,but I always liked the Australian fan who called to England spinner Phil Tufnell. "Oy Tuffers, can I borrow your brain. I'm building an idiot." ...
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1966 is a year i would have to watch on the highlite reels to young to remember lol!!!!!!
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By the looks of yesterday's budget (particularly the corporation tax cuts), the UK government is starting to realise that money is leaking eastwards.
I don't really think they know the scale of how much business in sectors such as IT has moved out of the UK. While people can bleat on and on about welfare, the fact is in a couple of decades there won't be any business left to support all the hangers on in UK society >:(.
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It is said that the worth of any society can be measured by the manner in which it treats its weakest members. Surely we should be raising these people up, Brett not putting them down!
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good point Paul and every nation should practice this. why is it when there are issues the political parties seem to look to cut in areas
were the cuts shouldnt be made and blame obvious things and issues which are irrelevant to the root cause of the problems to begin with
guess this is why im not a politician