A newly elected Green Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) can only reside in the United Kingdom on a temporary student visa that is set to expire later this year. Q Manivannan confirmed the impending deadline for securing a further graduate visa, which would permit an additional three years of work.
Visa Applications and Restrictions
The new MSP for Edinburgh and Lothian East is also in the process of applying for a 'global talent visa', which would grant the right to live and work in the UK for the entire five-year parliamentary term and beyond. Normally, a student visa imposes restrictions such as part-time work only during term time, with a maximum of 20 hours per week, and prohibits filling a permanent vacancy.
However, the Home Office confirmed that elected posts in local or devolved government are not considered employment under immigration rules, and restrictions on employment do not affect the ability to carry out these roles.
Statement from the MSP
In a statement, the new MSP, who identifies as a transgender Tamil immigrant using they/them pronouns, said: 'Every MSP from every party represented in the Scottish parliament unanimously voted to allow everyone with the right to live here to stand in elections, including new Scots on visas like me. I am a Commonwealth citizen and am currently on a student visa which will expire later this year. Having passed my grant-funded PhD, I am able to work full time. I am in the process of transitioning to a graduate visa which will allow me to stay in the UK for a further three years. At the same time, I am also applying for a global talent visa, recognising my contributions to the country, which will allow me to stay in the UK for my parliamentary term and beyond.'
Fundraising for Visa Costs
Earlier reports indicated that the politician had sought help from colleagues to raise £2,089 for a graduate route visa application and to save for the £5,047 cost of a global talent visa. As of earlier this month, £1,161 had been pledged on a fundraising page. Donors included other Green candidates Mridul Wadhwa, former chief executive of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, and Kate Nevens, who proposed the abolition of prisons. The fundraising page was removed yesterday, and the Scottish Greens have not yet confirmed the reasons or whether donors will be refunded.
MSP's Vision
Dr Manivannan said: 'I am proud of my heritage and who I am. I am also proud to be a voice for all my constituents, including migrants and people on visas who are often shut out of our national debate. I am also proud to have been awarded and recognised for my local work in arts and culture, academia and human rights in Scotland – serving our people during my time here. Scotland is home, in every way. The Scottish Greens want to build a fair and humane system that treats people with dignity and respect rather than the current Home Office system that is costly, difficult and often dehumanising. With my election, I seek to represent that goal.'
A Scottish Parliament spokesman stated: 'It is the responsibility of individual candidates and political parties to ensure that all relevant qualifications for standing for election are met. There is no role for the parliament in carrying out checks on candidates who are elected.'
