I’m extremely annoyed that legitimate immigrants are financially penalized and gratuitously impeded while illegal immigrants can take advantage of free support and representation via legal aid etc..
One of my staff, a hard working professional who pays all her taxes, is married to a United Kingdom citizen. In addition to the hundreds of pounds spent getting her marriage visa, they are now forced to pay a whopping £820 for an Indefinite Leave to Remain, which allows her to reside indefinitely within the UK. This seems to be an extortionate fee for what should be mostly a routine bit of paperwork, especially after all the due diligence has already been done for the granting of the original marriage visa and subsequent “certificate of approval” that one also needs to apply for before the marriage.
Gratuitous memory test
Another prerequisite, in addition to this fee, is that she passes the Life in the UK “citizenship” test. This, of course, cost an additional fee which is currently £33.28.
I find it quite reasonable to ensure that people who seek to reside indefinitely in the UK have a sufficient command of the local language to get by, together with a reasonable level of understanding about the country. However, the test comprises of questions that very, very few native born British citizens can answer – certainly not to the required 75% pass mark (including myself and every one of the degree educated IT professionals in my office). For example:
Why did the Huguenots come to Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries?
In which year did 18 year olds get the right to vote?
When did Britain join the European Economic Community?
What the hell do these questions have to do with living in the UK as a regular, normal citizen? Perhaps next time I’m in the bank or supermarket they will refuse to serve me? I can see ATM’s flashing questions up like “Trivial Pursuit” quiz machines…
I mean, come on! Who really needs to know stuff like this to go about their daily business? I find this entire test to be nothing but a revenue generating obstacle which is both cynical and discriminatory. For shame!