‘It feels like a lead weight has been lifted’ - Norfolk couple win two-year immigration battle to stay in UK


Source :Eastern Daily Press (East Anglia)

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/it_feels_like_a_lead_weight_has_been_lifted_norfolk_couple_win_two_year_immigration_battle_to_stay_in_uk_1_3776867

'Arlene and Stephen Watty broke down in tears when they heard their two-year ordeal was finally over and the Home Office had granted Arlene leave to stay in Britain on a spouse visa.'

'... The spousal visa give Arlene permission to stay in the UK for 30 months, after which she can apply for an extension and then a permanent visa. “I used to call her my wife and now I call her my permanent wife,” joked Stephen. “We’ve been to hell and back. But it’s finally over.”

Better together.

Previously -
 
Hemsby couple fighting to stay together fear Home Office battle might be lost :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/eastern-daily-press-hemsby-couple.html

‘I do not want to be separated from my husband’ - east Norfolk couple facing immigration battle :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/i-do-not-want-to-be-separated-from-my.html

Immigration battle goes on for Newport couple facing separation :
http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/immigration_battle_goes_on_for_newport_couple_facing_seperation_1_3372568

Eastern Daily Press : Hemsby couple fighting to stay together fear Home Office battle might be lost

http://www.edp24.co.uk/mobile/news/hemsby_couple_fighting_to_stay_together_fear_home_office_battle_might_be_lost_1_3679778

'A woman fighting to stay with her British husband fears she is losing the battle after she was fired from her job as a carer.

'Arlene and Stephen Watty, of Hemsby, have been trapped in an immigration battle for more than two years after Mrs Watty, who is from the Philippines, had her application to stay in the UK after their wedding turned down.

'At the time, the Home Office said Mr Watty did not earn enough money, adding there was no reason why they could not live together in the Philippines.

'The couple last year lost their appeal and are appealing a second time.

'But, while they wait for the Home Office to decide their fate, 45-year-old Mrs Watty has lost her job because of the uncertainty surrounding her legal case to stay in the country.

'Tonight, BBC Newsnight will feature the Wattys in a programme looking at an immigration rule which stops couples living together in the UK if the British spouse earns less than £18,600 a year.

'Mr Watty was unemployed when his wife first applied for leave to remain in November 2012, but he now runs a fencing business.'

Previously - ‘I do not want to be separated from my husband’ - east Norfolk couple facing immigration battle

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/i-do-not-want-to-be-separated-from-my.html

‘I do not want to be separated from my husband’ - east Norfolk couple facing immigration battle

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/i_do_not_want_to_be_separated_from_my_husband_east_norfolk_couple_facing_immigration_battle_1_3344441

'A husband and wife locked in a “nightmare” immigration battle are fighting to stay together on the Norfolk coast.

'More than 400 people have signed a petition backing Newport couple Arlene and Stephen Watty in their struggle against deportation.

'Forty-five-year-old Arlene, who works full time at a care home in Hemsby, moved to the UK from the Philippines in 2009.

'She arrived on a student visa, studying health and social care, and a year later fell in love with a neighbour, Stephen, and the couple married in 2012.

'As her student visa expired, Arlene applied for leave to remain - the common route for foreign nationals who marry British citizens.

'But her application was refused and now the couple have now lost their appeal. Two weeks ago, a Home Office judge ruled that sending Arlene back would not be “disproportionate or unjustifiably harsh” and the couple, if they want to stay together, could leave Britain and live in the Philippines.

'“I do not want to be separated from my husband,” said Arlene.'

Immigration battle goes on for Newport couple facing separation :
http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/immigration_battle_goes_on_for_newport_couple_facing_seperation_1_3372568