A SCOTTISH MP will today meet the immigration minister to challenge the UK Government’s “bizarre” decision to dramatically restrict the number of UK visitor visas being issued to Iranians.
Glasgow Central SNP MP Alison Thewliss has the highest immigration caseload in any Scottish constituency and has dealt with a number of cases where constituents have found it “immensely challenging” to secure UK visitor visas.
One case reported by The National included the grandmother of a baby born last November to parents who are Iranian nationals living in Glasgow.
They had wanted the child’s Iranian grandmother to be able to visit at the time of the birth.
The grandmother, who lives in Tehran, started applying for a visa in May 2016 – almost six months before the baby was due.
She has still not been granted a chance to apply for her visa.
In a letter to Thewliss, the Home Office advised that the grandmother might wish to apply in person for a visa from VFS Global – the private company that processes the documents – at their Abu Dhabi centre, a journey that would mean crossing the Persian Gulf.
In another case Thewliss is handling, a married couple are currently being kept apart. The husband remains in Glasgow with his wife stuck in Iran, unable to apply to come to the UK.
Only 30 visa application slots – administered by VFS Global – are issued each week – every Tuesday at 1pm on a first-come, first-served basis. The application slots do not guarantee a visa, only the opportunity to apply for one.
Thewliss has branded this “an immigration system which appears to be run like a tombola” and will press these cases today when she meets Goodwill.
The MP said: “Because of a bizarre policy put in place by the Home Office, I have families in my constituency who are being kept apart due to an immigration system which appears to be run like a tombola.
“It is clear that this approach to administering visas is simply not fit for purpose. Amongst the draconian restrictions, quotas and red tape of the Home Office’s private contractor, I am seeing honest people being stonewalled from even being able to apply for visas, let alone visit their family.
“During last summer, Downing Street issued a woolly press statement talking up the Government’s desire to forge greater links and cooperation with Iran.”
“If the UK Government is serious about improving relations and cooperation with Iran, it could start by urgently reviewing and reforming this bizarre system of issuing visa application appointments based on luck of the draw.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “These figures are incorrect – 150 appointments are released in Tehran each week on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are currently experiencing high levels of demand from UK visa applicants in Iran.”
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