Javid waives visa rules to allow chess prodigy, 9, to remain in UK
A Nine-year-old boy described as Britain’s greatest chess prospect will be allowed to stay in the UK after Sajid Javid intervened in the case under “exceptional talent” rules.
Shreyas Royal, who was born in India but came to Britain when he was three, is on his way to becoming one of the best chess players in the world but the family, who live in Woolwich, south-east London, had been told they would be forced to leave next month when their visa expires.
He has represented England a number of times in international competitions.
Last night the Home Secretary announced he had taken a personal interest in the case to ensure that the UK welcomes “highly talented individuals”. Mr Javid is reported to have made the case in Cabinet for an immigration system based on ability and need instead of arbitrary fixed targets.
The family will now be allowed to apply for a new Tier 2 visa while in the UK, rather than having to return to India and apply to come back as normal in this case.
Mr Javid said: “After carefully reviewing the evidence, I have taken the personal decision to allow Shreyas and his family to stay in the UK.
“The UK is a country that fosters world-class talent and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players in his generation.
“We have always been clear we want a world-class immigration system that welcomes highly talented individuals.”
A spokesman for the English Chess Federation said they are “delighted” by the decision and that Shreyas is second in the world ranking for his age.
His father Jitendra Singh, an IT project manager for Tata Consultancy Services which sponsors his visa, spoke of his relief that the Home Office has allowed the family to stay.
Mr Singh’s five year work visa is due to expire next month and he had been told by the Home Office he would not be able to apply for an extension unless he earned more than £120,000.
“Yesterday we were packing, we thought we had to go. We have been waiting for a very long time. It’s such a relief for us,” he added.