I've spent £23,000 to stay in the UK but it could all be for nothing (2024)

It was a cold, grey morning in May when I received the email that would alter my life.

The subject line read: ‘FLR Application Update’ and my heart pounded in my chest as I clicked it open. ButI could hardly process what followed.

‘Your application and human rights claim made in February 2024 is refused,’ it read.

The words struck me like a hammer. The world seemed to blur around me.

This rejection meant I was on the brink of losing everything I had fought so hard for since arriving in the UK – my religious freedom, my right to openly love my Christian partner, safety from persecution – and the life I had painstakingly built in a country that respects human rights.

I realised that this broken system – one designed to crush hopes rather than nurture them – tears apart lives and families with impunity. It isn’t just failing, but actively destroying the fair, liberal values Britain claims to uphold.

Born and bred in Saudi Arabia, where my parents had lived for 40 years, I arrived in the UK in December 2009 on a student visa.

I was going todoa one-year foundation course inaccountancy at an institution in London. Initially, I stayed with my aunt in Reading, then moved to rent in London.

My UK visa was valid until April 2011. Initially, I planned to return home after completing my studies–my tuition ended that March, but I still had exams to do, which could be taken in June or December –but I was also open to the possibility of working in the UK for a few years to gain international experience before going back to Saudi Arabia.

Unfortunately, my exit/re-entry visa – a special permit allowing residents to leave and return to Saudi Arabia without losing their residency status –was due to expire in May 2011.

Saudi regulations impose a three-year ban on re-entry if you have not left the country on a final exit visa(a rule designed to ensure residents properly close their affairs in the country before leaving).

This would put me in a precarious position: I’d be unable to return to Saudi Arabia after my UK visa expired, and I’d be stuck in the UK illegally.

In March 2011, I tried to get ahead of the issue. I instructed an immigration advisor to assist with an extension application–hecame through the recommendation of a fellow student.

He asked for my passport, previous visas, bank statements, and institution documents. While something felt slightly off about the advisor’s vague promises, I was so desperate for help that I pushed my doubts aside, convincing myself that this was my best chance to stay in the UK legally.

Devastatingly I later learned thatthe advisor was unregistered.

He failed to submit my application and retained my documents meaning I could not seek help elsewhere. Having already asked me for the initial Home Office fee of £475, he then wanted an additional £300 to return my passport.

I had no choice but to comply, and ultimately missed my chance to file for an extension.

And so, from May 2011, I became an overstayer.

Life in the UK became challenging and survival became my priority.

I managed to find cash-in-hand jobs – though thesewere always exploitative, often paying very little or nothing at all, as people knew my status and didn’t hesitate to take advantage of the situation.

I spent most of my time couch surfing, relying on the kindness of friends, and when that wasn’t possible, I stayed in cheap hostels, constantly moving to find more affordable options, or even sleeping in abandoned vans or exchanging labour for a place to sleep.

With most of my family in Saudi Arabia, I felt increasingly isolated and despondent. The constant stress of my uncertain status, coupled with the inability to visit my family, left me feeling profoundly lonely and homesick.

Trapped in a limbo I couldn’t escape, I longed for the familiarity of home.

I reached out to various solicitors in London, desperately seeking help, but most wouldn’t take my case without substantial fees. Pro-bono work or legal aid cases were consistently rejected. My lack of money severely limited my options, and it felt like all avenues were shut off to me.

The Brexit referendum in 2016 intensified the anti-immigrant sentiment I was facing daily and further complicating my already precarious situation.

However,in 2019, I met Maria via a dating app. We quickly discovered we had a shared love for food, movies, and deep conversations about life. What really connected us was our ability to dream together, creating the kind of aspirations we’d both missed out on previously.

She was, and still is, a vibrant, compassionate woman who became my anchor.

With trembling hands and a racing heart, I finally revealed the painful truth of my immigration status to Maria.

I braced myself for rejection, but her reaction left me stunned. ‘Your struggle is now our struggle,’ she said, her voice unwavering. ‘We’ll fight this battle together, no matter what it takes.’

In that moment, as she pulled me into a tight hug, I felt a glimmer of hope ignite – a feeling I thought had been extinguished years ago. Maria’s unconditional acceptance and determination to stand by me became my lifeline in a sea of uncertainty.

Neither of us believed that happiness required traditional marriage, and we knew we could be partners while keeping our religious beliefs separate. Our relationship was built on mutual respect and open communication, rather than traditional notions of obedience or conformity to societal expectations.

We moved in together in 2020 and entered into a civil partnership in June 2021.

Yet as happy as I was, our relationshiponlyadded another layer of complexity to my immigration situation.

The Home Office rejected our EU Settlement Scheme applicationin February 2022, one year after we’d submitted our application.Before Brexit, EU citizens and their loved ones could build lives in the UK under EU free movement laws. After the referendum, this dream crumbled into a nightmare of red tape and rejection–Maria is from the EU.

New relationships like ours faced an impenetrable wall of bureaucracy, each brick another arbitrary rule designed to keep us out. We found ourselves trapped in a labyrinth of paperwork, each turn revealing another dead end.

This new system wasn’t just complex – it was a cold, unfeeling machine programmed to say ‘no’.

It didn’t matter to the government that Maria and I hadprovided evidence to show we’d made every effort to have our civil ceremony before Brexit day – or thatthe massive backlogs in settlement requests were not our fault.

And,while I understandwe were living througha pandemicat the time, there seemed to be no human aspect left with the Home Office. It felt like Brexit had turned the simple act of love into a crime, and we were paying the price.

When my FLR application to extend my stay in the UK was refused in May 2024, it was the latest in a long line of rejections. The rest of the email informed me that there were no insurmountable obstacles to our family life continuing in Pakistan–as my parents are from Pakistan, I have a Pakistani passport– but this is not true.

For a start, my civil partnership status is not recognised under Pakistani law so the authorities would consider Maria and I out of wedlock, and Maria would have no legal right to stay in the country with me.

Nor are Pakistani authorities prepared to grant Maria a family visa. Our relationship would be reduced to a state of illegitimacy, subjecting us to discrimination, prosecution, and even imprisonment.

And as a white, Western, orthodox Christian woman, Maria would face relentless danger in Pakistan. She’d be a constant target for discrimination and violence, exacerbated by rising anti-Western sentiment –and she’d be vulnerable to persecution under strict blasphemy laws.

How can a UK system that claims to uphold human rights so blatantly disregard the fundamental freedoms and well-being of individuals like us? It needs to be fixed, and fast.

Over the last 14 years I have sought legal assistance from various solicitors, only toreceive incorrect advice and negligent service.

All this hasled to significant financial strain – I have currently spent almost £23,000 on legal fees, Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) on top of it – and yet my status remains unresolved.

Frankly, I am financially, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.

Despite enduring exploitative cash-in-hand jobs and the constant threat of destitution, I have never claimed benefits and have dutifully paid taxes. I have consistently embodied the values of hard work, resilience, and a desire to contribute positively to the community. I’m not a burden on the state and Istrive to integrate and uphold British values.

While my future and Maria’s remains uncertain, we are resolved to fight for our right to stay together in the UK. Our love and commitment are our greatest strengths, and we will not let bureaucratic hurdles tear us apart.

It’s why we try to maintain some semblance of normalcy by talking about our dreams, about the future we want to build together – owning a home, starting a family, and contributing positively to the community.

I implore Britain to reclaim its moral compass and create an immigration system that upholds justice, empathy, and human dignity for all.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing James.Besanvalle@metro.co.uk.

Share your views in the comments below.

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I've spent £23,000 to stay in the UK but it could all be for nothing (2024)

FAQs

How much money is required to stay in UK? ›

Cost of Living in UK 2024. The average monthly cost of living for a family of four in UK is $3,135 (£2,268) without rent. The average monthly living expense for a single person or student in UK is $900 (£651) without rent.

How much money do you need to live on in the UK? ›

In 2023, we have calculated that a single person needs to earn £29,500 to have an acceptable standard of living, up from £25,000 in 2022. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000, compared to £44,500 in 2022.

Can you live on 20k in the UK? ›

While prices can vary, a 20k salary should allow for a reasonable grocery budget, especially if you make cost-effective choices, seek out discounts, and plan meals ahead. Dining out may need to be limited or managed more selectively to fit within your budget.

How much time can I spend in the UK as a US citizen? ›

be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa.

Is $1500 a month enough to live in the UK? ›

General living expenses

It's thought that a single person living in London will need around £1,500 per month to cover their living expenses and just over £1,200 in Manchester. However, the cost of living has risen significantly in recent years for everyone in the UK.

How much is rent in England in US dollars? ›

UK cost of living vs US: Accommodation
Accommodation TypesUnited Kingdom
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside center)$1,091.66
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city center)$2,228.45
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside center)$1,710.41
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city center)$6,373.88
2 more rows
Jul 18, 2024

What salary is needed to survive in UK? ›

A single person needs to earn £29,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2023. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000 between them.

Is 25k enough to live in UK? ›

With a 25k salary, it is possible to find suitable rental accommodation in many parts of the country. However, in high-demand areas like London, you may need to be more conscious of your budget and consider shared accommodation or residing in the outskirts.

Can I buy a house in UK with 20K? ›

Buying a home for less than £20000 is a good deal for many people, but it will involve a lot of legwork on your part, likely both computer-based and walking the streets of the area you are interested in. The best way to get a cheap home is to buy one not currently up for sale. This is known as off-market property.

Can a US citizen live permanently in the UK? ›

You may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you are an American citizen living in the United Kingdom and wish to make Britain your permanent home. This means that US residents with Indefinite Leave to Remain can live, study, and work in the United Kingdom without restrictions or time limits.

How long can a US citizen stay in the UK without paying tax? ›

The Statutory Residence Test (SRT) is the decisive framework used to determine tax residency in the UK. You're considered a UK resident for tax purposes if you meet any of the following conditions: you spend 183 days or more in the UK during the tax year. have a home in the UK.

What is the 180 day rule in the UK? ›

Key takeaways: The 180-day (6-month) rule refers to the maximum duration of stay per visit, not per year. Visitors to the UK on a standard Visitor visa can stay for up to six months at a time. UK immigration rules allow visitors to enter and leave the country multiple times within the validity period of their visa.

How much bank balance is required for UK visit? ›

UKVI does not provide a minimum bank balance requirement for UK Visit Visa applicants. What matters is that you can show that you have enough money to cover your entire stay. Providing clear, consistent, and comprehensive financial evidence through your bank statements is crucial.

How much money do you need to live in the UK minimum? ›

A single person needs to earn £29,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2023. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000 between them.

How much savings do I need for UK visa? ›

Funds should be twice the expected UK trip cost. The monthly salary should at least cover half of the expected visit expenses.

How much money do you need in your account to move to UK? ›

As a general rule I will give this advice. Two months of rent + two months food and basic bills like electiricity + two months of public transportation expenses = the amount of money you should have. This way if you lose your job, you will have enough money to go on with your life until you find a new job.

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