natation. The family's aware of that option, but for their own reasons, it's not viable, but thanks for suggesting it.
I think it's lunacy that British citizens face the option of moving to another eu country for a period of time, or just staying in the spouse's country forever, with no possibility to come home with their partner easily, not even in an emergency. Both forms of exile, even if the first one is short term. Especially as, as you say, EU nationals living in Britain are not subject to the same strict requirements.
Natation, may I ask what work you do/did?
The extension to 5 years is not great when you have to live with uncertainty for 5 years and being less desirable to employers etc, but I think it's a change that most people could live with, even if it's not ideal.
However, for me the 2.5 plus 2.5, having to show that you earn 18.600 for at least six months at each point and spend thousands applying for visas and paying for solicitors at each point to me looks just like a money making spree at our expense, and a way of designing a system that will catch majority of british people out at some point in their lives - no matter how genuine or hardworking.
I think it would be better to give a spouse visa for five years and see if they were still together at the end of it, and see if they were still supporting themselves at the end of it but not be so prescriptive how.
It also doesn't allow for circumstance to be taken into account. I don't think sudden unemployment should be a reason to wreck a family and separate children from parents.
Nor do I think it's fair that my husband pays tax and works very hard but can't claim jobseekers if he's made unemployed through no fault of his own.
I can live with it, though, I'm so relieved and thankful we're at least together and I don't want their bloody money anyway. I've never claimed anything other than CB. My solicitor told me I could possibly claim some tax credits while on mat leave but I just can't be arsed. I am too proud to take their money, they can keep it.
I'm interested to know.. how do you know if a marriage is sham or not? It's very rare for me to get the opportunity to talk to someone on the "other side" so to speak, and I've always wondered. I don't know what evidence you can submit to prove your feelings for another person. Lie detector? If that were even possible, then no one would ever have a bad relationship would they? I know how to prove my income, and how to prove i've been in touch with my husband or living under the same roof, but how do people prove their actual feelings, especially as all you have to go on is a load of paperwork, maybe photos, and perhaps a meeting for an hour or two with the couple...?
Have you ever come across a couple who you felt to be genuine but had to refuse for a different reason eg financial, and if so, how does it feel to be on the other side of that?
he's 5 now.