An Ayrshire family who faced being booted out of Australia due to visa issues have been given the ‘best news of their lives’ after being told they can stay.
Mark Green, his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Rebecca, moved from Prestwick to Adelaide in 2012 after electrician Mark was headhunted by a solar power company that offered to sponsor his visa.
But the hardworking Green family were left “absolutely gutted” when the Australian Government told them they had to reapply for residency after the company sponsoring Mark’s working visa went bust.
Mark was sponsored by a total of seven companies who all went bust and each time the family had to reapply for Visas.
The Australian Government ordered the family on a 10am flight back to Scotland back in August, which they didn’t get on and were granted several extensions to continuing fighting their case.
The family have now said they received the “best news ever” last week when they were told they could stay down under.
They will now be allowed to apply for permanent residency without having to leave Australia during the process.
Speaking to our sister title The Daily Record, Mark, 44, said: “The minister granted us a 600 Visitor Visa. After everything we have been through, being told we could stay really was the best news of our lives.
“We were so overwhelmed. I got the news first when I was at work and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry because my head was all over the place.
“Kelly and Rebecca were crying with joy when I told them. We are all excited for our future in Australia now. Especially Rebecca who can now start university.”
Mark said the family have spent around £85,000 on lawyer fees and visas.
They also feared being forced to leave behind their beloved pets, dog Maisie and rabbit Marmaduke, as it would cost them another £20,000 to bring Maisie to Scotland, which Mark said was not feasible.
He added: “We’re ecstatic that our beloved dog was able to stay with us throughout all this and she has not had to be rehomed as she is such a big part of our lives and our family.”
Mark said the family are hopeful they will finally be granted permanent residency.
He added: “There is still a chance of denial, but we are feeling pretty good that things will be okay.”
The Department of Home Affairs in Australia have been contacted for comment.
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