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Home Office reverses visa decision for Egyptian GP Home Office reverses visa decision for Egyptian GP
(about 1 hour later)
The Home Office has reversed its decision to ban the son of an academic at Oxford University from living with her in the UK.The Home Office has reversed its decision to ban the son of an academic at Oxford University from living with her in the UK.
Dr Wesam Hassan, a GP from Egypt who has just started a PhD at Oxford, learned in August that her nine-year-old son would not be granted a visa to live with her in the UK.Dr Wesam Hassan, a GP from Egypt who has just started a PhD at Oxford, learned in August that her nine-year-old son would not be granted a visa to live with her in the UK.
The Home Office ignored the fact that Hassan’s husband is currently a humanitarian coordinator for the UN in Yemen, which is designated a “non family station” because of the conflict there.The Home Office ignored the fact that Hassan’s husband is currently a humanitarian coordinator for the UN in Yemen, which is designated a “non family station” because of the conflict there.
Having been shut out of the UK, the boy is currently living with his aunt in Egypt. Hassan says the separation has caused the family “real trauma”.Having been shut out of the UK, the boy is currently living with his aunt in Egypt. Hassan says the separation has caused the family “real trauma”.
However, after the Guardian contacted the Home Office last week they reopened her case. They confirmed on Tuesday that they have reversed their decision and Hassan’s son will now be granted a dependent child visa to live with her in Oxford.However, after the Guardian contacted the Home Office last week they reopened her case. They confirmed on Tuesday that they have reversed their decision and Hassan’s son will now be granted a dependent child visa to live with her in Oxford.
Hassan said: “We can’t quite believe it yet. I had a video call with my son last night and he kept saying ‘Are you sure? Can we trust them?’”Hassan said: “We can’t quite believe it yet. I had a video call with my son last night and he kept saying ‘Are you sure? Can we trust them?’”
Under the Home Office’s immigration rules a child may only be given a visa if both parents are living in the UK, unless the parent living here has sole responsibility. Hassan had supplied letters from the UN explaining her husband could not have family living with him. Yet her son’s rejection letter concluded that there were no exceptional circumstances.Under the Home Office’s immigration rules a child may only be given a visa if both parents are living in the UK, unless the parent living here has sole responsibility. Hassan had supplied letters from the UN explaining her husband could not have family living with him. Yet her son’s rejection letter concluded that there were no exceptional circumstances.
Hassan is now calling for the Home Office to meet families like hers for an interview before they make decisions to keep them apart.Hassan is now calling for the Home Office to meet families like hers for an interview before they make decisions to keep them apart.
“If they really want to protect the wellbeing of the child they need to take a more human approach,” she says. “I am so grateful for the role of the media in allowing cases like mine to be brought to life, but many more mothers don’t have the privilege of being heard.”“If they really want to protect the wellbeing of the child they need to take a more human approach,” she says. “I am so grateful for the role of the media in allowing cases like mine to be brought to life, but many more mothers don’t have the privilege of being heard.”
Hassan’s case has fuelled a growing tide of anger amongst academics, who say the Home Office’s immigration rules are making it difficult for talented researchers from across the world to forge an academic career in the UK.Hassan’s case has fuelled a growing tide of anger amongst academics, who say the Home Office’s immigration rules are making it difficult for talented researchers from across the world to forge an academic career in the UK.
Two weeks ago Education Guardian revealed that the Home Office had refused visas to the four-year-old and nine-year-old daughters of another Oxford academic, Prof . Murrey, who is an American expert in human geography, is now appealing their decision. Two weeks ago Education Guardian revealed that the Home Office had refused visas to the four-year-old and nine-year-old daughters of another Oxford academic, Prof Amber Murrey. Murrey, who is an American expert in human geography, is now appealing their decision.
The Home Office is currently preparing to deport Dr Furaha Asani, an academic based at Leicester University, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although Asani’s father was from the DRC she has never been to the country, where the Home Office agrees sexual violence is pervasive.The Home Office is currently preparing to deport Dr Furaha Asani, an academic based at Leicester University, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although Asani’s father was from the DRC she has never been to the country, where the Home Office agrees sexual violence is pervasive.
The Home Office said: “We welcome international academics and recognise their contribution to the UK’s world-leading education sector.The Home Office said: “We welcome international academics and recognise their contribution to the UK’s world-leading education sector.
“All immigration applications are considered on their individual merits and on the basis of the evidence available, in line with the immigration rules.”“All immigration applications are considered on their individual merits and on the basis of the evidence available, in line with the immigration rules.”
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