I’M TIED UP IN REDS TAPE
Thousands sign petition to stop Russian jeweller being deported
THOUSANDS of Scots are backing a young Russian businesswoman in her battle against deportation.
Evgeniia Balashova moved to Glasgow from Murmansk five years ago to study before launching her own successful jewellery business.
But the 23-year-old says her dream career could be in tatters after her visa extension was declined due to problems registering her address with officials. Evgeniia says she was told she couldn’t get a visa without an official lease to prove her address, but there was not enough time left on her visa to obtain a tenancy contract.
She launched an online petition in a bid to stay in the country she now calls home and within two days won the backing of more than 2000 supporters.
Evgeniia, known as Eva, said: “I have worked part time since I came here to study and I met all of the requirements, had savings in place and all my endorsements.”
As a non-EU visitor to the UK, Eva was obliged to update her address on a police certificate. She said: “I visited two police stations to try to update my address but they said they couldn’t do it without a contract.
“I couldn’t get a 12-month contract because there wasn’t enough time on my visa.”
Eva was informed of the Home Office decision last month and could be removed from the UK within weeks if her appeal is unsuccessful.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Miss Balashova’s application was refused as she failed to comply with the Police registration certificate requirements which was a condition of her visa.”
Police Scotland were asked to comment but failed to respond.