Home Office 'blunder' strips Italian man of right to sponsor wife's UK visa

A 33-year-old Italian engineer who has lived in

A 33-year-old Italian engineer who has lived in London since 2018 has been thrust into a legal fight with the Home Office after being told that his settled status was granted in error, meaning he can no longer sponsor his Brazilian wife to remain in the UK.

Fabio, who moved to London to complete his doctorate and has since forged a successful career in energy and climate change, said he was stunned by the development, insisting he has abided by all post-Brexit rules. He now faces the prospect of his wife having to leave the country unless the decision is overturned.

The couple, who married in 2022, had relied on Fabio's settled status to secure his wife's residence visa. However, in a recent letter, the Home Office stated that his status should never have been granted, citing an administrative error. The notice added that as a result, he no longer qualifies as a sponsor under the UK's points-based immigration system.

Immigration lawyers say the case highlights a wider

Immigration lawyers say the case highlights a wider issue of Home Office mistakes that can have devastating consequences for families. They argue that individuals who were granted status in good faith should not be penalized for errors they did not cause, and they are urging the government to review such cases more fairly.

Fabio, who asked for his surname to be withheld, said he is considering legal action to challenge the decision. 'I have done everything by the book since I arrived. It is terrifying to think that a bureaucratic mistake could tear my family apart,' he told The Guardian.

The Home Office declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but a spokesperson said that each application is assessed on its merits and that individuals who believe they have been affected can request a review or appeal.