Petition · past parliament

Stop foreign men using marriage to live in the UK.

Closed 735 signatures

What the petition asks

Marriage is a loophole in visa constraints. Abolishing the spouse visa would be for the common good, because England is over-crowded and the UK has more young men than young women. It would not prevent women from marrying foreign men because they can live in the husband's country, as is normal.
This loophole for foreign men was closed in 1969 but was re-opened by the next Labour Home Secretary. The Conservatives promised to close the loophole again in their 1979 election manifesto, but did not keep their promise.

Timeline

11 May 2016 Petition opened for signatures
11 Nov 2016 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 735
Status Closed
Opened 11 May 2016
Closed 11 Nov 2016

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.