Hawick mum reveals Valentine's Day heartache as UK government's visa policy leaves her facing 'cruel' dilemma
'I am faced with a choice between separating my family or permanent exile'
Last updated 14th Feb 2025
The UK Government's being urged to change visa rules to allow couples to be reunited in Scotland.
Under current rules, people living here need to earn a minimum of £29,000 to bring immediate family from abroad to live with them.
Sarah Douglas, from Hawick, has been living in Italy with her husband and three children but wants to move back to the Borders with them.
She told Greatest Hits Radio: "We do feel stuck, especially since the new government hasn't made clear what their plans will be.
"They have committed to a review of the policy, but we don't know when the review will be complete or what the policy will be after they've reviewed it. So, we're kind of in limbo.
"It's devastating really. I feel like I'm being excluded from my own country. I've been told that to bring my Italian husband would mean that we would be a burden on the UK taxpayer, so it's not a very pleasant feeling.
"We don't know if we'll be able to move one day, we're not able to make any plans for the future."
A report by the Scottish Government said changes to the UK Family Visa Route would support the well-being of married couples and families by helping them come together in Scotland.
Planned increases to the salary threshold were paused in July 2024 by the UK government, which is seeking views on whether the requirements should continue in their current form.
The Scottish Government's report said the minimum salary requirement does not support Scotland's interests and disproportionately impacts women and part-time workers.
Sarah - who is currently living in Perugia, with her husband and their three children - added: "I am faced with a choice between separating my family or permanent exile. It is a cruel policy which places unnecessary emotional and financial strain on families.
"Families belong together. Any immigration policy should not cause children to be separated from their parents, or people to be separated from their partners or loved ones. So they really need to place that at the centre of whatever policy they come up with."
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Scotland's equalities minister has called on the UK Government to change family visa rules to allow couples to be reunited in the country.
MSP Kaukab Stewart said: "This Valentine's Day, I am calling on the UK Government to make the changes needed so that couples and families who do not meet the current financial requirements can be reunited.
"People who live in Scotland should be able to build a life with their spouse and raise children here - wherever in the world their husband or wife is from.
"Allowing more people to bring their families to live here would enrich communities, support public services and contribute to the economy.
"The UK Government's review of the income threshold is welcome, and the Scottish Government is clear that the minimum income threshold needs to be reduced or removed altogether to allow more families to build their lives here in Scotland."
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
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