A couple who faced being apart for the birth of their first child due to Labour’s planned immigration changes are celebrating after a Home Office U-turn a day after the Guardian reported the story.
Elen Soghomonyan, 23, and her Armenian husband, Dmitri Piliposyan, 25, are expecting a baby this year. Soghomonyan visits her husband every couple of months in Armenia. The Home Office has refused Piliposyan permission to enter the UK because officials have determined he has not achieved sufficient proficiency in English. He meets other government entry requirements relating to income and the couple’s relationship.
But after the Guardian’s story, the Home Office reviewed the case and said: “It has been concluded the decision to refuse is no longer appropriate and the immigration decision is therefore withdrawn.”
On Monday the government announced tougher English language requirements to qualify for entry to the UK across a range of visas. The couple had feared that due to the increased standard of English required, Piliposyan would not be given permission to enter the UK before the birth of their baby. Soghomonyan is a British citizen, born and raised in the UK. She graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London in law with criminology and hopes to train as a barrister.
Piliposyan has been diagnosed with diffuse sclerosis, a condition that causes fatigue, weakness in his legs and an inability to concentrate and memorise things and says his condition has hampered his ability to learn English to the required level for the Home Office.
Officials rejected a request from the couple’s lawyer for an exemption for the English proficiency requirement due to Piliposyan’s medical condition and refused his entry to the UK. An appeal was lodged against the Home Office decision.
After the U-turn, the Home Office said it anticipated that 33 months’ leave in the UK would be granted to Piliposyan and officials have asked the court to vacate the appeal hearing.
“The whole visa application process has caused me anxiety and depression, something I never previously experienced,” said Soghomonyan. “When I heard that the Home Office have changed their decision I felt so happy and excited. My husband cried when he heard the news. He was so worried about missing the birth of our baby. It is literally a miracle. This has changed our lives.”
Piliposyan said: “When my wife called to tell me the wonderful news, I could not believe it. My entire life has transformed overnight. I’m still in shock and I’m overcome with excitement.”
The couple’s solicitor, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, said: “The Home Office overturned their decision in this case swiftly, allowing our client to reunite with her husband and live together as a family during a crucial time in their lives – the birth of their child. This not only saved valuable court time and unnecessary taxpayer expense, but also prevented further emotional distress.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases.”
