Hundreds of foreigners from non-English speaking countries, mostly from the Indian subcontinent, find themselves effectively barred from joining their Spouses or partners in Britain following a Court ruling that upheld a government rule that foreign nationals must learn English before they are allowed to come and live with their British spouses.

A High Court judge Rejected a challenge to the rule brought by three couples, including an Indian national married to a Briton, on the grounds that it was discriminatory and interfered with their rights to a family life guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights, but the court rejected their plea.