A newly elected Scottish Green MSP has announced they are in the process of applying for a graduate visa to secure their right to work in the United Kingdom for an extended period.
Visa Application Details
Dr Q Manivannan, one of two transgender Green MSPs elected last week, is currently in the UK on a student visa. The non-binary politician, who uses they/them pronouns, stated they will also pursue a global talent visa, which would permit them to remain in the country throughout their parliamentary career.
Social Media Scrutiny
Some social media users have raised questions about their eligibility to work in the UK, given their student visa status. Dr Manivannan addressed these concerns, emphasising that every MSP across all parties in the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted to allow anyone with the right to live in Scotland to stand for election, including those on visas.
“I am a Commonwealth citizen and am currently on a student visa which will expire later this year. Having passed my grant-funded PhD and viva, I am able to work full-time,” Dr Manivannan explained. “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 the entire of my parliamentary term and beyond.”
Criticism of Home Office
The MSP, originally from the Tamil Nadu region of India, criticised the Home Office for what they described as a “dehumanising” approach towards migrants. They pledged to work towards reforming the system during their time in office.
“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,” Dr Manivannan said. “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.”
Parliamentary and Party Support
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson clarified that it is the responsibility of individual candidates and political parties to ensure all qualifications for standing for election are met, and that the Parliament plays no role in checking candidates who are elected.
Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay previously stated the party would do “anything we can do to support Q” in their renewal process, though she believes it is “unlikely” they will be rejected. The Home Office was approached for comment but has not yet responded.
