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<p>We take abuse of the spouse immigration route very seriously. In July 2012 the
minimum probationary period before a non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) national
spouse of a British citizen can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK was
increased from two years to five years. This is a better test of the genuineness of
the relationship before it can be relied upon as a basis for seeking to settle permanently
in the UK.</p><p>In March 2015, a new scheme to tackle sham marriages was introduced
under the Immigration Act 2014. All proposed marriages where one or both parties could
gain an immigration advantage from it are now referred by registration officials to
the Home Office. This gives us a much stronger platform to identify, disrupt and deter
sham marriages.</p><p>If the marriage breaks down permanently before or once the non-EEA
national spouse has obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain, the British citizen spouse
can provide the Home Office with any relevant information and we may cancel or revoke
their former spouse’s leave if it can be established that this was obtained by deception.</p>
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