BritCits

Jack & Shah

“Is my entitlement to live with my husband less than that of someone earning a higher salary?”

Jack is a British citizen, whose husband is from Malaysia. The couple met when Shah was a student in the UK. After two years together they chose to formalise their relationship and get married.

Shah returned to Malaysia to finish his studies after his time in the UK. Jack joined him for ten months on a tourist visa and would have been happy to live there permanently. However, it’s not feasible as in Malaysia, being homosexual is illegal.

So the only chance this couple has to be together is in Jack’s home country, UK.

Jack has only recently started his accounting apprenticeship, so it could be years before he manages to reach the £18,600. Although his parents have offered to support the couple and provide them with accommodation, this is not taken into account by the Home Office, despite the fact that the couple does not need or desire to be on state benefits.

Shah is currently in the UK on a tourist visa and will have to return to Malaysia within a few months. This couple is therefore facing a very uncertain future, with the prospect of being separated for years to come.

A year and a half into their marriage, they are soon to be separated for an undetermined period of time, simply because Jack does not earn £18,600.