E-petitions 206568, 210497 and 201416 relating to family visitor visas

The text of e-petition 206568, Introduce automatic approval of visit visas for families of British Citizens, is as follows. The Government response is available from the same page on the Parliament website.

Family members of UK Citizens shouldn’t have to meet the same criteria as other applicants for a visit visa. Not being a citizen doesn’t make our parent, siblings, children or grandchildren any less a part of our family. The only requirement should be that a British relative sponsors them.

If we can support them, there is no reason to reject an application. The same restrictions would still apply: no public funds; no ability to work, and checks to ensure no threat to national security. My sister has visited four times. She’s never overstayed or worked but is now refused a visa to visit me with my mother. A lot of families are heartbroken because relatives cannot visit. Let’s bring families together and recognise the right to a family life for British citizens and their families.

The text of e-petition 210497, Introduce super visa category for parents of British citizens similar to Canada, is as follows. The Government response is available from the same page on the Parliament website.

Parents for British citizens are treated differently if they reside in countries outside the EU and are not EU citizens and government has made the settlement of parents under ADR practically impossible so we are looking for a middle ground as it is done in Canada with SUPER VISA.

With the parent and grandparent super visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for up to two years without the need to renew their status. The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years. The key difference is that the Super Visa allows an individual to stay for up to two years on initial entry into Canada, while a 10-year multiple entry visa would only have a status period for each entry of six months only. Refer visa rules by Canada government and criteria as reference, sponsor does most work.

The text of e-petition 201416, British citizens should be able to appeal the refusal of a family 'visit visa', is as follows. The Government response is available from the same page on the Parliament website.

The appeals process for Family Visit Visa was removed on 25 June, 2013 to save costs. My recent personal experience confirmed that the UKBA seem to have cut the process of justice and accountability while cutting their costs. How can this be justified? Is UKBA now the Judge, Jury and Executioner?

In response to my query to UKBA I got back a ‘blank’ email with the request to fill out a satisfaction survey! My mother was rejected a visit visa recently and she was told not to apply within next 10 years. She is now 66. Which essentially means she may not possibly visit her grandchildren in UK for the rest of her lifetime. UKBA's rejection has no regards to how it affects me as a British Citizen. Why should UKBA be allowed to impose decisions without due and just care? Stop this INJUSTICE!

The subject for this debate was determined by the Petitions Committee. You may watch the debate online at parliamentlive.tv.

There is more information about e-petitions on the Parliament website.