Portland Mayor slams new visa rules for foreign spouses

After hearing about a local couple's troubles with the visa office, Carralyn Parkes has said the new proposed combined income threshold for couples is “arbitrary” and “insensitive.”

In December the government unveiled plans to raise the income threshold for British citizens and those settled in the UK to bring a foreign spouse over from £18,600 to £38,700.

READ MORE: Home Secretary's visa reform could leave families separated

This meant 34-year-old Ben Geiran of Portland, a former serviceman, would be split up from his wife Cecilia, who lives in China, as the family would not qualify with their current earnings.

Mrs Parkes said: “Ben is a legend in the local community. He started up a distillery business which was very popular in the local area and contributes positively to society.

“When I heard about the trouble regarding visa office, I got in touch with Ben and offered any help. It’s been a major difficulty for him, there’s no way he would be able to earn enough money to bring his wife over. It’s horrible, cruel, and arbitrary.”

Following backlash to this decision, Lord Sharpe, a Home Office minister, announced just before Christmas that the Government would only increase the threshold to £29,000 next spring.

However, even with this reduction, Mr Geiran says the Home Office is not considering the needs of the individual and the price still isn’t feasible with his wife’s Chinese salary.

“Although it is a step back from the original price, it’s still not fair. I need to work 48 hours a week on minimum wage as well as looking after my child.

"It’s still almost double what it was before and add on top the cost of the visa process itself the price isn’t fair," he said. 

“My wife is a teacher, and they don’t take into account that she only earns £300 a month, that is the national minimum wage in China, so the responsibility falls on myself.”

Mrs Parkes said she’s “appalled” at Mr Geiran’s situation and is currently campaigning to see the family reunited.

“Even now the government revised it down, I don’t think he will be able to bring his wife here. It’s absolutely appalling, cruel, insensitive and essentially saying only the wealthy can fall in love with someone from overseas.

“It’s such a travesty in this time of year that someone should be treated to appallingly. He’s put his life on the line and it’s almost like it’s completely irrelevant.

“I’m really pleased to do anything – they deserve to be treated with care and compassion. He contributes to our community in a wonderful way. I would love to be able to see this family reunited and welcome his wife to Portland.”