An Indian academic and his family who were facing deportation have been granted a reprieve and are being allowed to stay in the country.
Officials from the UK Border Agency yesterday accepted new financial information provided by Perth-resident Swarthick Salins.
The married father of three has now been granted post-study leave which will enable him to live and work in the UK for the next two years.
Mr Salins, 37, of Carnegie Place, moved to Perth nine years ago after completing a PhD in health geography at St Andrews University.
His studies and living costs were financed with a scholarship from the Balcraig Foundation, set up by Stagecoach founder Ann Gloag to assist students from developing countries.
His appeal to stay was rejected at an immigration tribunal in Glasgow last month after his savings fell below the £800 minimum required by the UK Border Agency.
Mr Salins’ case was backed by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, who wrote to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith urging her to intervene.
Speaking after the meeting with officials in Glasgow, Mr Salins said: “It is very good news and I am very glad that all the attention my case has brought has been so positive and has helped me and my family.
“It is such a relief. I’m still coming to terms with this being made possible. We are all very grateful to everyone who has helped us.
“The case has moved on so quickly and we are all very happy and relieved about the decision.”
Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, said: “I am delighted the family can put the anxiety of the past few days behind them and can now stay in Scotland. I wish them the best for their future life here.”
Mr Murphy’s spokesman said: “The Secretary of State met the Home Secretary twice in the last week and spoke to the Immigration Minister Phil Woolas regarding the Salins family and their immigration status.
“Immigration officials subsequently discussed the facts behind the case and agreed a fresh application could be considered, given the Salins family are law-abiding with three children born here.”
He said the initial decision was a correct one based on the evidence supplied at the time but it is normal practice for any applicant to present new evidence to support their case to stay in the UK.
A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said: “A fresh application was made under the highly-skilled category of the points-based system.
“As new information was supplied, this was successful, as any applicant would be if they can show that they can meet the requirements.”