A Scottish family who faced being booted out of Australia despite living there for more than 10 years are over the moon after being told they can stay. Mark Green, his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Rebecca, moved from Prestwick, Ayrshire, to Adelaide in 2012.
Electrician Mark was headhunted by a solar power company that offered to sponsor his Visa. The hardworking family have spent the last decade building a life for themselves down under and were "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. Back in August, the Australian Government ordered them on a 10am flight back to Scotland.
The Greens didn't get on the flight 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 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 pet dog, as it would cost them another £20,000 to bring her 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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