Imagine finding the love of your life in your later years, only to be kept apart by bureaucratic red tape.
That’s exactly what 78-year-old John Ball from Lancashire is going through.
Despite being legally married to his Filipino wife, Anita, John has been unable to bring her to the UK due to strict immigration laws.
Now, after spending nearly all his savings on visa applications and legal fees, he’s left scraping by on cheap meals while sending money to his wife 7,000 miles away.
Surviving on One-Pound Pizzas
John’s life has drastically changed since he married Anita in 2023.
With only £20 a day to cover his expenses, he has been forced to make tough choices.
His diet now consists of frozen pizzas that cost less than a pound, and he barely uses his heating to save every penny.
Every month, he sends £250 to Anita, ensuring she has enough to get by, even if it means sacrificing his own well-being.
“I’ve got to cut down on everything just to send her money,” he shared. “It’s hell on earth.”
Willing to Risk His Life to Be With Anita
After battling the UK’s spousal visa requirements and losing £9,000 on legal fees, John is now considering an extreme option—moving to the Philippines permanently.
The catch? His heart medication, which he needs to survive, costs a staggering £100 a week over there.
While he’s trying to arrange for his granddaughter to send his prescriptions, he knows it’s a risky plan.
“If I can’t get my medication, screw it. What else can I do? At least we will be together,” he said, determined to reunite with Anita, even if it means risking his health.
An Unexpected Love Story
John never expected to find love again. After being single for 13 years, his friends encouraged him to try online dating.
Skeptical but curious, he signed up for Filipino Cupid.
Most women he matched with were only interested in his money, and he was about to give up when he came across Anita’s profile.
Their connection was instant. After months of talking every night, John flew to Cebu to meet her in person.
Their love only grew stronger, leading to an engagement and eventually a beautiful wedding in September 2023.
The Harsh Reality of UK Immigration Laws
John’s dream of bringing Anita to the UK was shattered when her visa application was denied.
According to the UK’s spousal visa rules, couples must have a combined annual income of at least £29,000 or have £160,000 in savings.
John, who lives on a £210-per-week state pension, and Anita, who lost her widow’s pension when she remarried, fall far below that requirement.
“I thought it was against my human rights to be separated from my wife,” John argued.
“Are the government not breaking international law?”
A Future Full of Uncertainty
With no legal options left, John’s only choice seems to be relocating to the Philippines.
But the move isn’t simple. If he overstays his tourist visa, he could face deportation.
And if he leaves the UK permanently, he will lose his council-provided bungalow, leaving him homeless if he ever has to return for medical reasons.
Anita understands his desperation but worries about the risks.
“It’s been incredibly difficult being apart for two years. I know how much John wants to be here, but I worry about his health,” she said.
A Broken System?
John’s friend, Martin Banister, believes the government’s immigration policy is unfair.
“People like John, who just want to be with their spouses, are blocked by these rules.
Meanwhile, others come into the country with no problem,” he pointed out.
For John, the choice is clear. “I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea.
But I’d rather risk everything than spend the rest of my life apart from my wife.”
Government’s Response
The UK Home Office has stood firm on the issue, stating that the minimum income requirement is necessary to maintain a “controlled and fair immigration system.”
They did acknowledge that exceptions can be made in cases of extreme hardship, but so far, John and Anita’s case has not been deemed exceptional enough.
John remains determined to be with Anita, even if it means leaving everything behind.
With time running out, he’s ready to take the biggest risk of his life for love.