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Immigration: Marriage

Volume 487: debated on Tuesday 10 February 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will review the application of the two-year rule to the right of a spouse to apply to remain in the UK. (253495)

In April 2003 the probationary period for those seeking settlement on the basis of marriage was increased from one to two years. The two year probationary period is intended to protect the system against abuse. This probationary period allows the UK Border Agency to assess that the relationship is subsisting and acts as a safeguard against those who might enter into a sham marriage solely for immigration purposes.

The UK Border Agency keeps its policies under continuous review to ensure that they operate effectively and meet the Government’s wider immigration objectives.