A Green Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is facing uncertainty over whether they can serve a full term at Holyrood due to complications with their immigration status, the Mail can reveal. Q Manivannan, who uses they/them pronouns, is currently working as an MSP under a student visa that expires later this year. The politician hopes to transition to a graduate visa, which would grant an additional three years in the UK, while also applying for a Global Talent visa to secure permanent residency.
Visa Application Challenges
However, the Mail has learned that Manivannan’s prospects of obtaining a Global Talent visa through their role as an MSP are in doubt. Home Office guidance explicitly states that applicants cannot qualify under the Global Talent route on the basis of being an MSP. The route is designed for talented individuals in science, digital technology, and arts and culture, requiring endorsement as a leader or potential leader in their field.
The guidance further clarifies that most Global Talent decisions require a full assessment of skills and experience, making it impossible to determine eligibility before an application is submitted. This means Manivannan would need to gain relevant work experience outside their MSP duties to strengthen their application.
Second Jobs Policy Conflict
The Scottish Greens, to which Manivannan belongs, oppose MSPs holding second jobs, describing the role as full-time. A party spokesman reiterated this stance. This policy creates a dilemma, as Manivannan cannot take on additional paid work that would provide the necessary experience for the Global Talent visa.
Tory MP Andrew Bowie, Shadow Scottish Secretary, commented: “Q Manivannan and I will disagree on many things, but this is not about politics. It should be a prerequisite that to legislate on the laws of a country, you should be a permanent resident.”
Student Visa Restrictions
Student visas typically restrict work to part-time hours during term-time, with a maximum of 20 hours per week, and prohibit filling permanent vacancies. However, the Home Office has confirmed that elected posts in local or devolved government are not considered employment under immigration rules, so these restrictions do not affect Manivannan’s ability to serve as an MSP.
Manivannan, a Tamil immigrant, claims to be able to work full-time after completing a PhD and is applying for a Global Talent visa “which will allow me to stay in the UK for my parliamentary term and beyond.” The MSP declined to answer questions from journalists about the immigration issue during a Scottish Greens photocall for new MSPs.
Call for Investigation
The Scottish Tories have urged the Home Office to investigate whether any student visa terms have been breached. Tory MSP Stephen Kerr stated: “I’m calling on the Home Office to look into this case, because I can’t see how Q Manivannan can fulfil the duties of an MSP without breaching the strict terms of a student visa. This is a shambles of the Scottish Greens’ making, and they owe an explanation to voters in Edinburgh.”
