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Written question asked by Lord Luce (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 27 February 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 March 2019. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 March 2019 on behalf of the Home Office.

Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the criteria by which applications for the families of non-UK Commonwealth nationals serving in the UK armed forces to settle in the UK are decided.

Answer

Family members of any member of the UK Armed Forces, regardless of the nationality of the service person, can apply for settlement in the UK under the Immigration Rules contained in Appendix Armed Forces.

The eligibility criteria for family members of members of the Forces are set out in full online in Appendix Armed Forces:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-armed-forces

This makes clear that to be eligible for settlement in the UK requires the following criteria to be met. Partners of members of the Forces must have completed a period of 60 months limited leave under Appendix Armed Forces – sometimes called the “probationary period”. Partners and over-18 children must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and knowledge about life in the UK. Their sponsor in the Forces must meet the appropriate minimum income thresholds to sponsor a partner or children, and the applicant must not fall for refusal on suitability grounds.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14105
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Armed forces Commonwealth Families Immigration Foreign nationals
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk