A Highland family is facing Christmas apart due to “draconian” Home Office visa rules.
Aviemore mum Rachel Ward has been stranded in her native Malaysia and separated from partner Mark and their two young children since the Home Office rejected her spousal visa application.
The family were told by the UK Government Visas and Immigration agency (UKVI) that her application did not comply with their guidelines as Mr Ward’s wage slips had not been made available.
The couple insist that they checked with the UKVI prior to the application being submitted and were told that wage slips were not required.
Constituency MP Drew Hendry, who raised the case at prime minister’s questions yesterday, said: “Rachel has been separated from her husband, Mark, and two young children after her spousal visa application was rejected – despite submitting all the paperwork she was asked for.
“Not only did she have to pay £2,000 for the initial application, she has had to fork out the cost once again for another application, and her two young children face the Christmas period without their mother.
“That is simply unacceptable and no family should be inflicted with hardship due to the UK government’s inflexible and toxic immigration policies.”
Boris Johnson told Mr Hendry that he would “make sure the home secretary addresses the case immediately”.
