Thread: Non-Europeans in Britain to marry required to speak English

Jun 09, 2010

Non-Europeans going to Britain to marry now required to speak English

09:49 AM

Any person from outside the European Union who is going to the United Kingdom to join a partner or to marry must be able to demonstrate a basic command of English under new rules, the new British government has announced.

The government says the new rules apply to spouses, civil partnerships, unmarried couples, same sex partners and fiancés and includes those applying from within the U.K. or from overseas.

The Telegraph says applicants must pass an oral test in English at the level of a 5 to 7-year-old.

The newspaper, which reports that 38,000 spousal visas were issued last year, says the new rules are expected to cut the number of foreign partners arriving in the U.K. by a sixth and could help combat sham marriages.

Theresa May, the new Home secretary, says the measure is only the "the first step" in ensuring that those who benefit from being in Britain can also contribute to society.

"The new requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services," she says.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... -english/1

There should be no marriage visas at all. Anyone applying for any type of visa should apply on their own and if they get a visa, it should be determined souly on their own merit.