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Brexit - Our worst case scenario!
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....and you thought your life was difficult!
I was having a little think this morning about the circumstances, Darrell and I, may find ourselves in, in the future, after a few comments on facebook about Brexit. Everyone knows the UK will be leaving the EU, but where exactly does that leave Darrell and I. Typically of us, our situation, is far more complicated than most. This morning I was considering our worst case scenario.
Darrell is an Australian citizen; he has lived with me in Britain for 22 years, based on our relationship together. In 2000 he was granted an Indefinite Leave to Remain visa, as we made a life together in the UK. Unfortunately, when we moved to Spain, we didn't read the small print of this visa, which states that Darrell can not spend prolonged periods of time away from the UK, if he does, he will lose that visa, as a result.
Imagine this scenario. As Britain withdraws from Europe, no guarantees are put in place to safeguard Expats, living on the continent. Negotiations complete in two years, Darrell and I are settled in Spain, having not returned to the UK, during this time, (Two years is the limit, for Darrell to remain outside of the UK, before his ILR visa expires!). The EU removes my right to remain in Europe and we have to make arrangements to leave. The UK refuse to allow Darrell, entry to the UK, because he has breached the terms of his ILR visa and remained out of the UK for too long. As a gay couple, we are unable to return to Australia, as an alternative, because they do not recognise our Marriage. We could go to Australia, as a couple in a de facto relationship, on a restricted visa, but with costs approaching ten thousand dollars, this is not an option.
What exactly happens to us and people in our position, of which there are many? I have done a bit of research on this subject, and have come up against a brick wall. Personally I am a Brexiteer and don't believe this worst case scenario will happen, but here is my point. I do not want to my husband to lose his rights to remain in the UK with me, should we need to return to Britain for a period of time. Nobody knows for sure, what will happen with Brexit, and I want to keep my options, firmly open. It is true to say, mine and Darrell's situation is a complicated one; it is unlikely that anyone, will fight for our rights in Parliament, especially as an Expat, with no access to a sympathetic MP.
So they we have it, the difficulties of being gay, Married to a foreign national, with an indefinite leave to remain visa, limiting time spent out of the UK; Brexit on the horizon and a partners country that doesn't recognise gay Marriage....Difficult and challenging times ahead.
If anyone has any answers, please let me know!
Darrell is an Australian citizen; he has lived with me in Britain for 22 years, based on our relationship together. In 2000 he was granted an Indefinite Leave to Remain visa, as we made a life together in the UK. Unfortunately, when we moved to Spain, we didn't read the small print of this visa, which states that Darrell can not spend prolonged periods of time away from the UK, if he does, he will lose that visa, as a result.
Imagine this scenario. As Britain withdraws from Europe, no guarantees are put in place to safeguard Expats, living on the continent. Negotiations complete in two years, Darrell and I are settled in Spain, having not returned to the UK, during this time, (Two years is the limit, for Darrell to remain outside of the UK, before his ILR visa expires!). The EU removes my right to remain in Europe and we have to make arrangements to leave. The UK refuse to allow Darrell, entry to the UK, because he has breached the terms of his ILR visa and remained out of the UK for too long. As a gay couple, we are unable to return to Australia, as an alternative, because they do not recognise our Marriage. We could go to Australia, as a couple in a de facto relationship, on a restricted visa, but with costs approaching ten thousand dollars, this is not an option.
What exactly happens to us and people in our position, of which there are many? I have done a bit of research on this subject, and have come up against a brick wall. Personally I am a Brexiteer and don't believe this worst case scenario will happen, but here is my point. I do not want to my husband to lose his rights to remain in the UK with me, should we need to return to Britain for a period of time. Nobody knows for sure, what will happen with Brexit, and I want to keep my options, firmly open. It is true to say, mine and Darrell's situation is a complicated one; it is unlikely that anyone, will fight for our rights in Parliament, especially as an Expat, with no access to a sympathetic MP.
So they we have it, the difficulties of being gay, Married to a foreign national, with an indefinite leave to remain visa, limiting time spent out of the UK; Brexit on the horizon and a partners country that doesn't recognise gay Marriage....Difficult and challenging times ahead.
If anyone has any answers, please let me know!
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