The non-binary, newly-elected Green MSP, who uses they/them pronouns, is currently in the UK on a student visa.
A newly elected MSP is applying for a visa renewal to allow them to work in the UK for longer. Dr Q Manivannan, one of two transgender Green MSPs elected this week, is in the process of applying for a graduate visa.
The non-binary politician, who uses they/them pronouns, is in the UK on a student visa but said they will also apply for a global talent visa to allow them to remain in the UK for the duration of their parliamentary career. But some social media users have said their right to work in the UK could be under threat due to their student visa status.
Dr Manivannan said: “Every MSP from every party represented in the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted to allow everyone with the right to live here to stand in elections, including new Scots on visas like me. 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.
“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.”
The MSP, originally from the Tamil Nadu region of India, said the Home Office can be “dehumanising” towards migrants, and that they will seek to change that in their time serving as a politician in the UK. They said: “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.
“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.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “It is the responsibility of individual candidates and political parties to ensure that all relevant qualifications for standing for election are met. There is no role for the Parliament in carrying out checks on candidates who are elected.”
Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay previously said 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 in their visa renewal. The Home Office was approached for comment.
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