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Can I bring my partners Syrian mum and sisters to the UK?

235 replies

BA25 · 07/12/2024 19:53

war has broken out, there village is surrounded. Is there any way I can bring them here to keep them safe? My partner is crying non stop. Can I sponsor them? The rules are so confusing.

OP posts:
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Livelovebehappy · 07/12/2024 23:16

AliasGrace47 · 07/12/2024 23:02

If no one can help them, & they're can't return, Europe must help! Not just us, we are overpopulated, everyone needs to help. We can't just abandon people. We are all human, we have a duty to preserve basic safety for everyone as far as we can.
I suppose the US are unlikely to help the way they are now...

Seriously? There’s currently 7 million plus affected by the current situation in Syria. We already know that most of Europe is now pushing back against immigration. Even Germany who used to be big advocates of open door policy on immigration are now massively slowing things down. The UK is struggling to provide safety for people already here - NHS is a sinking ship. Homelessness increasing day on day. At what point do we actually try to preserve safety for people already here? You yourself say we’re over populated. There’s no more room at the Inn I’m afraid.

sparklychair · 07/12/2024 23:10

What are all these people fighting over? I don't understand. Lebanon, even Israel? They don't seem to be rich in natural resources. Is it Russia trying to achieve strategic positions?

Floppyelf · 07/12/2024 23:09

greenel · 07/12/2024 22:54

I don't know man - maybe just the fact I don't want my elderly, ill mother living alone 3000 miles away (with 3rd world health access) and dying in her sleep, without me knowing, because she has no other family? Especially when I'm a British citizen earning 6 figures and can easily afford to look after her. But because my mother isn't one, she will sadly die alone as she doesn't meet the requirements for a Family Visa. And I cannot safely or legally move back home to look after her. Not every family split up is because of war - people migrate for different reasons, and immigration is brutal and unfair. no matter what circumstances But as I said I accept this as the reality of my choices. There's nothing the UK can do about it, but you certainly can learn some empathy for those families who make sacrifices for a better future.

I known of a solicitors wife who themselves arrived in the 80s as refugees, naturalised became successful and paid a shit ton of taxes. She did bring her elderly mother to the Uk. She fought with the home office. She showed how much tax she paid as a successful BC and she was allowed to bring her mother…. Try it.

SummerSnowstorm · 07/12/2024 23:07

user1473878824 · 07/12/2024 22:49

What an insane thing to say to someone.

What's insane about that?

AliasGrace47 · 07/12/2024 23:06

Op, I'm sorry to ask this, but in the event of a 'sit tight' situation, do they have a cellar or anywhere to hide? Provisions? Money? Valuables that could be looted and need to be hidden away? Items to defend w in case of looting?

AliasGrace47 · 07/12/2024 23:02

Livelovebehappy · 07/12/2024 22:57

I hope not. Not least because it will open the floodgates for others to be accepted. We’re currently in crisis in this country already with huge demands on a collapsing infrastructure. Best for them to find a country nearby which can accommodate them on a temporary basis pending the sorting out of the situation in Syria, which would align more with their culture and language needs. There’s a lot of unrest in the world, and we’re a small island with very little room to accommodate everyone going through this type of situation. Sorry.

If no one can help them, & they're can't return, Europe must help! Not just us, we are overpopulated, everyone needs to help. We can't just abandon people. We are all human, we have a duty to preserve basic safety for everyone as far as we can.
I suppose the US are unlikely to help the way they are now...

Dinnerplease · 07/12/2024 23:01

There are no British consular services in Syria. You need to apply in person for biometrics. Lebanon would probably be the nearest place.

I also think this initial stage is going to be over very quickly. May be best for them to sit it out and see what happens in the next few weeks.

Wellsome · 07/12/2024 22:59

Suggest try Red Cross Reunification of Families scheme
x

MellersSmellers · 07/12/2024 22:59

Yes there is the UK Resettlement Scheme but the Syria-specific one is closed and candidates for resettlement need to be identified by UNHCR (so presumably from refugee camps) so that's not going to help you right here and now.
Theoretically they could come to the UK short term but they need visas and I can imagine they would be hard to get in the current situation.
Speak to an immigration lawyer but I suspect their chances of getting to the UK are low, sadly 😢

AliasGrace47 · 07/12/2024 22:58

Supersimkin7 · 07/12/2024 22:28

No scheme - Ukraine was invaded unprovoked by an enemy power, Syria’s doing a very long civil
war.

Big humanitarian difference.

From what I know, the FCO rebel army are fighting the tyrannical Assad government. But the FCO are known to have committed war crimes. Does this mean all families who oppose Assad are deemed the enemy? That seems v wrong.

Livelovebehappy · 07/12/2024 22:57

I hope not. Not least because it will open the floodgates for others to be accepted. We’re currently in crisis in this country already with huge demands on a collapsing infrastructure. Best for them to find a country nearby which can accommodate them on a temporary basis pending the sorting out of the situation in Syria, which would align more with their culture and language needs. There’s a lot of unrest in the world, and we’re a small island with very little room to accommodate everyone going through this type of situation. Sorry.

greenel · 07/12/2024 22:54

Snowontheroof · 07/12/2024 22:13

Surely the point is why should she need to be here? What is wrong with their home country?
Our country should be helping these other countries to have the resources for their citizens to live happily where they are, shouldn't they? Who is causing the chaos?

I don't know man - maybe just the fact I don't want my elderly, ill mother living alone 3000 miles away (with 3rd world health access) and dying in her sleep, without me knowing, because she has no other family? Especially when I'm a British citizen earning 6 figures and can easily afford to look after her. But because my mother isn't one, she will sadly die alone as she doesn't meet the requirements for a Family Visa. And I cannot safely or legally move back home to look after her. Not every family split up is because of war - people migrate for different reasons, and immigration is brutal and unfair. no matter what circumstances But as I said I accept this as the reality of my choices. There's nothing the UK can do about it, but you certainly can learn some empathy for those families who make sacrifices for a better future.

AliasGrace47 · 07/12/2024 22:53

Op , I am so sorry. 💐 I really would not recommend Turkey as the first option as according to this article (https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/03/28/syrians-face-dire-conditions-turkish-occupied-safe-zone) they are pressuring refugees to leave Turkey for an area of Syria where basic needs are met very poorly.
Could they try to go to Egypt? I don't think Kurdistan is v safe bc of the border w Iraq, & the situation w Israel now, Gov.uk advises against it.
I'm really sorry to write this. I just think people are recommending things too quickly & not thinking of the ramifications.
I wish we could take everyone, at least temporarily. Not just us- is there any other European country they could come to?
From the little I know, Egypt seems the safest country accepting refugees.

bcngran · 07/12/2024 22:52

The UK Govt. Foreign Travel Advice page on Syria https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/syria/getting-help has the following statement this evening under the sub heading Getting Help:
"Consular support is not available from the British government from within Syria, as all British Embassy services in Damascus are suspended and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn. The FCDO may become aware of plans by other organisations which can be shared with British nationals we know want to leave. Any travel would be undertaken at your own risk.
If you are a British citizen in Syria and need help, call the FCDO in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000."

So going to a British Consulate office to apply for a tourist visa to come to the UK would seem to be impossible. A dreadful situation for people with relatives caught up in this awful civil war, let alone for the relatives themselves.

The only possible crumb of comfort I can think of is that at the moment the rebel advance seems to be moving so fast that in a very short time the village where the OPs partners family live may be well behind the front line, hopefully having suffered minimal damage as the front line will have passed it so quickly... but thats not much comfort at all really...

Getting help - Syria travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Syria. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/syria/getting-help

user1473878824 · 07/12/2024 22:49

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What an insane thing to say to someone.

maudelovesharold · 07/12/2024 22:46

Supersimkin7 · 07/12/2024 22:28

No scheme - Ukraine was invaded unprovoked by an enemy power, Syria’s doing a very long civil
war.

Big humanitarian difference.

Big humanitarian difference.

Really? How so? Unless you think that the Syrian refugees are the architects of their own misfortune and therefore undeserving of our compassion and assistance. Even if that’s what you believe, on that basis, half the people who call an ambulance would have paramedics turning away and leaving them to it.

EricTheGardener · 07/12/2024 22:42

Sorry OP, just realised I wrote my post above as though it was you who is the child not your partner.

eurochick · 07/12/2024 22:38

Fwiw I think this will be over pretty quickly. Assad has fled. The rebels are advancing very quickly. If his relatives are not part of the Assad regime they are not likely to be of interest. Who knows whether what comes next will be better than the Assad regime but I really think the coup part will be short lived.

Marriumph · 07/12/2024 22:36

Jc2001 · 07/12/2024 21:34

Malaysia? That's on a different continent 😉

No it isn't.

Sleepysleepycoffeecoffee · 07/12/2024 22:33

BA25 · 07/12/2024 19:53

war has broken out, there village is surrounded. Is there any way I can bring them here to keep them safe? My partner is crying non stop. Can I sponsor them? The rules are so confusing.

No, sorry

SmashedBaubles · 07/12/2024 22:32

Why did your DP leave his mother and sisters behind in a war zone?

Must have been very dangerous for them for a long time.

EricTheGardener · 07/12/2024 22:31

Really sorry OP, but there is no legitimate route for Syrians to come to the UK for protection purposes and be sponsored in the way you describe. The only safe and legal routes for refugees are the Ukrainian visa, ARAP (the Afghan relocation and assistance policy) and the Hong Kong British National overseas route. It's awful and I'm sorry.

The UK previously had a programme called the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, which brought in around 20,000 refugees to the UK but it was done in conjunction with the UNHCR, who identified vulnerable Syrians and referred them directly to the Home Office. It wasn't an open scheme like the ones above, and it closed in 2021. It was replaced with something called the UK Resettlement Scheme, but this is global, not just for Syrians, and it has only resulted in a tiny amount of people coming to the UK so far. It is also administered by the UNHCR (you need to register with them, but you can't 'apply' for it - they select people based on need) and you need to already be a recognised refugee. It's normally people who are particularly vulnerable or who have severe health needs who are referred.

Does your mother need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or age, and if so, can she prove it? There is something called a Family Visa but it has strict criteria, and you can only apply as the parent of an adult child if you need care as per above. You, as the child, must also have indefinite leave to remain, or protection status. It will cost several thousand, plus another £2–3k to use the NHS, and will probably take months but if it's a possibility the details are here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

Really unlikely to be granted a standard visitor visa in the current circumstances.

I wish you both all the luck in the world.

NautilusLionfish · 07/12/2024 22:29

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

That doesn't mean you can't be kind to someone asking for advice. I know you do want us immigrants in your country but decency doesn't cost much.
Oh and if the west does want us to be coming over it needs to address global inequality which the west continues to depend on. Child slaves in Congo mining rare earth so we can afford gadgets here. Coffee, tea, cocoa for which farmers are not paid a living wage. Continously meddling in the ME to get cheap only for eons. Refusing to make swift and meaning commitments on climate change that's devastating communities in SS Africa, Bangladesh and many others. So we will come. Because we too have a right to safe lives. Decent lives even. You will put up a million barriers but desperate, dying people will find ways.

Supersimkin7 · 07/12/2024 22:28

No scheme - Ukraine was invaded unprovoked by an enemy power, Syria’s doing a very long civil
war.

Big humanitarian difference.

maudelovesharold · 07/12/2024 22:25

I’m not sure if there’s a special scheme in place for Syria at the moment, nothing showed up on Google immediately.

A special scheme such as that set up for refugees from Ukraine, you mean? No…there isn’t….

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