Father’s joy at U-turn on visa for his daughter
A PAKISTANI PhD student at the centre of a bizarre visa drama has spoken of his joy following a U-turn by the Home Office that could see his wife and baby finally return to Scotland as early as next week.
It comes a week after The Herald first reported on the case of 28-year-old Arshad, whose wife Lubna and 10-month-old daughter have been unable to return to Glasgow from Pakistan.
The Home Office refused to accept the toddler was born in the UK, despite a birth certificate citing her place of birth as Glasgow.
The reports led First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, in her capacity as MSP for Glasgow Southside, and SNP MP for Glasgow South West, Chris Stephens, to put pressure on the Home Office to review the decision.
Yesterday, Mr Arshad, who goes only by his surname, received an email from the Home Office confirming it would overturn its original decision to refuse his daughter, Umaima Khan, a dependent’s visa.
Mr Arshad, who is half way through a doctorate in electrical engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University, said he was delighted.
He said: “It has all happened very quickly. I was not expecting that based on my previous experiences with the Home Office. I spoke to Lubna earlier and she is very excited and happy.
“I don’t want to delay things a minute longer. The Home Office has asked for a copy of Umaima’s Pakistani passport, but I hope everything will be processed by next week and they can both be on the first plane to Glasgow.
“I’m expecting them to be here by the end of next week. I really want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me, especially The Herald.”
The Home Office reviewed the case after receiving additional supporting evidence and it is being looked at again on that basis. A spokesman said: “All visa applications must meet the requirements of the immigration rules.”