The diaspora in the UK with British citizenship have started a new petition to urge the government for a separate visa category to grant automatic approval of visit visas for their families. The petition that has already reached over 42500 signatures, as we went to press, wants the government to consider that family members of UK citizens shouldn’t have to meet the same criteria as other applicants for a visit visa. It says, “Not being a citizen doesn’t make our parent, siblings, children or grandchildren any less a part of our family. The only requirement should be that a British relative sponsors them.”
Nieva Restarick who started the petition in January 2018 said, “If we can support our family, there is no reason to reject an application. The same restrictions would still apply: no public funds; no ability to work, and checks to ensure no threat to national security. My sister has visited four times. She’s never overstayed or worked but is now refused a visa to visit me with my mother. A lot of families are heartbroken because relatives cannot visit. Let’s bring families together and recognise the right to a family life for British citizens and their families.”
If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it has to be debated in the Parliament. Being over 10,000 signatures the government needs to send a formal reply to the petitioner and are already delayed by 3 days.
This is not the first time the diaspora have demanded a better treatment for their visiting families. Brit Cits, a forum campaigned very long to acquire rights for their parents to come and live with them in the UK. Though some individual cases succeeded, the campaign could not bring about justice to this tax paying lot.
Akash Raj, who works in Leeds with a big company told Asian Voice, “This is the second time my parents have been denied a visa. They have immense wealth back in India, they were just coming to see my pregnant wife and help her for a few days and take her to India for delivery. They don't want to live here forever. The UK Home Office rejected their visa for the second time. I do not understand what is their argument.”
Many others are on the same boat and are frustrated by the Home Office decisions. The social media has witnessed several such discussions and demands to take the campaigns to their local MPs.
Currently family of the British Indians have to highlight the same documents required for any other visitors including financial papers, bank statements and proof of return to India.
If you would like to sign this petition, please see https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/206568
