The story continues.

Pakistan’s blind cricketers are the reigning world champions. The squad members have just finished attending a nine-day training camp, ahead of what was supposed to be a four-match UK tour (on the invitation of Blind Cricket England and Wales).

But the team’s visa applications have been rejected.

The UK Border Agency says it did not have sufficient evidence to be convinced the players would return to Pakistan once the tour was over.

‘Hurt and insulted’

Sitting in his Islamabad home, beside a table packed with sporting trophies, is the chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, and former blind cricket captain Syed Sultan Shah.

He says he is stunned by the decision: “We provided letters from our council, and from the Pakistan Cricket Board, who confirmed they would cover all costs,” he says.

“The English Cricket Board supplied our names and passport numbers. The Pakistan ministry of sport gave us official leave to travel. We all signed affidavits to say we would return, and if we did not, our families would be penalised. What more could we do?

“When we toured the UK in 2002 and 2006, nobody stayed behind. We just want to play cricket.”

Mr Shah says the players had all taken leave from work, and that hundreds of thousands of rupees (thousands of pounds) had been spent on the training camp, new kit and on the visa applications themselves.

“But it’s not the money. It feels like we are being denied our rights. We are all very hurt, very disturbed and feel very insulted by this,” he says.

No apology

The UK Border Agency insists its ruling is justified.

“We will make no apology for maintaining tough border controls created to prevent abuse of the immigration system,” it states.

“If applications do not contain the necessary evidence and we are not satisfied individuals will return at the end of their visit their visas will be refused.”

The statement adds that “UKBA is committed to facilitating sporting, cultural and arts exchanges”.

Eighteen of the 21 Pakistani players and officials that applied to travel, including the manager and assistant manager, are totally or partially blind.

Many were part of the team that won the World Cup on home soil in 2006, at a tournament in which England also competed.

“As a blind person, playing cricket changed my life,” says Mr Shah. “I can’t tell you how much confidence it gives us, and what it took to win the World Cup.”

“But this has really been a big blow. And we are worried we won’t be able to defend our title in the future.”

The next World Cup is scheduled to be held in England.

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Around 30 members of Lahore Pipe Band will be unable to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.

A trade delegation from the city, which is twinned with Glasgow, has also been refused visas.

Hanzala Malik, executive member for Glasgow City Council’s international affairs, said the move was “ludicrous”.

It is understood the UK Border Agency turned down visa applications for almost all of those applying for visits to Glasgow from three Pakistani groups.

The Scottish Government expressed concern about the situation.

The majority of the members of the Lahore Pipe Band, who have taken part in the World Pipe Band Championships for the past four years, were refused entry.

A delegation of business people and officials from Lahore was also turned down.

Visa applications were also rejected from members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Lahore District Government, who had been due to arrive in Glasgow for trade meetings.

Mr Malik, who represents the Hillhead ward, said the decisions had damaged Scotland’s reputation and Glasgow had lost out on valuable income.

“The situation is ludicrous and the applications being approved or turned down are simply not consistent,” he said.

“The city has lost out on important meetings and income as a result of this error.”

He added: “The Lahore Chamber of Commerce had their applications refused, despite the British High Commissioner in Islamabad saying he was glad the delegation were coming to Glasgow.

“The deputy mayor of Lahore was the only member of the district government delegation who was allowed entry – even his wife was refused a visa.

“It’s crazy. The pipe band have been here for four of the last championships.

“Why are they being stopped from coming this year – with all the goodwill and spending they’d have done here being lost to the city?”

Tariq Bajwa, Lahore’s deputy mayor, told BBC Scotland he could not understand the decision.

“Most of the people who were refused entry into the UK have a travel history there,” he said.

Glasgow MSP Anne McLaughlin said members of Lahore Pipe Band faced problems in securing visas to visit Scotland last year before they were eventually granted.

“For this to happen once was bad enough, to repeat it this year is a disgrace,” said the SNP member.

‘International celebration’

“The pipe band are international ambassadors and Glasgow’s Pipe Band Championships is an international celebration.

“Glasgow wants to welcome the Lahore Pipe Band to the competition, the UK Border Agency should grant their visas so we can do so.”

A statement from the UK Border Agency said: “All applications for entry clearance are considered on their individual merits, taking into account all evidence submitted and in accordance with the immigration rules.

“The onus is on visa applicants to supply the necessary evidence in support of their applications.

“Where insufficient evidence is provided visa applications may be refused, though the individual is able to apply again at any time and any new evidence will be considered.”

Scottish Culture Minister Mike Russell, said: “The Scottish Government is in touch with the UK Border Agency to discover the details of the case and we will do everything we can to help.”

“Of course, such decisions should be made in Scotland by officials working for a Scottish government, and we need to move as quickly as possible to that situation, in order to avoid such incidents.”

Source BBC

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An NVQ Student from the Philippines has successfully obtained a student visa and has returned to the UK, despite being deported and refused Entry Clearance by the British Embassy in Manila. 

Senior Carer, Gennie, had been asked to leave the UK in 2008 after his employer allowed his Work Permit to expire. 

Gennie was told his permit was “in process” and continued to work at the care home unaware that he was breaking the law and working illegally. 

During this spell Gennie was unfortunately picked up by immigration officers and placed in a detention centre in Dover, where he was held for 5 days. 

The centre holds illegal immigrants, overstayers, failed asylum seekers, convicted criminals and even terrorist suspects due for deportation. 

Gennie was surprisingly released from the detention centre and issued with removal papers. He left voluntarily, paying for his own flight, after seeing immigration advisers Bison UK. 

With the help of Bison, Gennie applied to return to the UK to upgrade his skills by taking an NVQ Level 3 course at Majestic College, hoping that this would help enhance his career prospects in the UK, Canada or back home in the Philippines. 

Initially he was refused (under Paragraph 57 of HC 395) a student visa on the basis he was already qualified, despite the fact that he was applying to study an NVQ Level 3 which he did not possess, and was only going to the UK to work. 

Bison UK immediately lodged an appeal refuting the reasons for refusal given by the Entry Clearance Officer in Manila. The Immigration Judge agreed and overturned the decision during the hearing (with Jerry Turner acting for Bison UK, Charles Kelly and witnesses in attendance) at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) in 2009. 

Directing the British Embassy to “grant entry clearance to the appellant without delay”, Immigration Judge Blandy noted in his determination: 

“I generally find on a balance of probabilities having regard to all the evidence before me that at the date of the respondent’s decision the appellant met all the requirements of paragraph 57 of the Immigration Rules HC 395 and his appeal must accordingly be allowed. I am satisfied that the appellant continues to meet all the requirements of paragraph 57 and accordingly direct that entry clearance be granted. 

“The appeal under the Immigration Rules is allowed. 

“I direct the respondent to grant entry clearance to the appellant without delay.” 

Under Tier 4 of the Points Based System the right of appeal is not offered to those who are refused a student visa.

Visa appeals have been abolished for student visa refusals in line with new ‘points based’ rules. Students refused entry clearance under Tier 4 of the points based system, which took effect on 31 March 2009, will now have their cases reviewed by an Entry Clearance Manager (ECM) under the new ‘Administrative Review’ system.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

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Tier 4 for students explained by Charles Kelly.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

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