'All we ask is that we can live together': Married couple's dream to live in Shropshire held up by visa

The couple are having to live hundreds of miles and countries apart because of the red tape of applying for a spouse visa that would allow Jenifer to live in Britain.

They say that public preconceptions about visas and immigration are very different from the real picture and say couples in love are being prevented from living together and contributing to the British economy.

Oliver, 29, a talented athlete from Rhydycroesau near Oswestry, is a marketing expert for the Shropshire-founded Net World Sports company, now based in Wrexham.

He met Jenifer, 30, who is Colombian, in 2014 when she did work experience for the company while she was completing a masters degree in business at Chester University.

The couple fell in love and were married in Shrewsbury in July last year.

Mr Blake said his wife was currently completing a second masters at university in Barcelona.

"When Jen came to Shropshire she fell in love with the place and we agreed that we would settle down and find a house here," he said.

"We had no idea at the time of how difficult that would be. Simply to apply for a UK Spouse Visa costs £1,500 plus and on top of that there is the £500 that has to be paid to the NHS and processing fees. Once that visa is granted it has to be renewed every two and a half years.

"Someone living in Britain on a spouse visa is not entitled to any benefits and their partner - or sponsor - must earn at least £18,600 to enable them to live here."

After completing all the paperwork the application form went in on February 6.

"The Home Office says it will contact you within 12 weeks. But we have heard nothing, not even an acknowledgement," Mr Blake said.

"Jen wants to start applying for jobs but can't because she has no idea whether the passport will be granted. Her passport was taken from her when we applied and has not been returned which means she can not travel, even in an emergency.

"One concern is, are applications are being purposefully delayed in order to manipulate immigration figures. Jen is highly skilled and wants to make a contribution to the Shropshire economy by living and working here."

"All we ask is that we can live together. At the moment I am dividing my time between here and Taragona, near Barcelona. My employer has been extremely good allowing me to work part of the time from Spain thanks to the internet. But because of all the travelling involved I have had to cut down my hours which then impacts on me acting as a sponsor.

"The difference between general public beliefs about immigration and the truth is huge. We just want to be able to enjoy our human right to meet, fall in love and have a life together. That is already denied to a lot of people because they do not earn the £18,600 a year needed to sponsor a spouse. That figure is £5,000 above the minimum wage."

The couple have written to Owen Paterson, who is currently defending his seat as north Shropshire MP. He said he was chasing the Home Office for an answer.