By Precious Momoh
A Ghanaian family is facing deportation from the United Kingdom after the UK Home Office revoked their visa sponsor’s license. Esther Kondu, who initially secured a healthcare worker position in 2022, relocated to the UK with her husband, Osei, and their three children. However, the license suspension of the company sponsoring her visa led to the family losing their legal residency status.
Sponsorship License Revoked
Esther’s arrival in the UK was premised on her job offer as a healthcare worker. However, shortly after her relocation, the company that hired her lost its sponsorship license. This unexpected development nullified the visas of Esther and her dependents, leaving the family in a precarious situation. “It was frightening. I didn’t know what to do; I was shocked,” Esther remarked, recalling the moment she learned of the revocation.
Faced with a 60-day deadline to secure a new sponsor or leave the country, Esther was required to pay £2,755 for replacement visas for her family. Financial constraints meant that only her visa was initially covered, leaving her children and husband’s applications pending. Although the family eventually paid the remaining fees, the Home Office rejected their late payment.
Challenges with New Sponsorship
Esther’s husband, Osei, expressed frustration with the situation, stating, “We came into the country, and within one year, the sponsor’s license was revoked through no fault of our own. We think the fee should have been waived.”
The family’s struggle has been compounded by Osei’s stalled application to join the UK Army, which remains unresolved due to their visa complications. Both Esther and Osei, former teachers in Ghana, had sacrificed their careers in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.
The couple has received pro bono assistance from Clement Mensah, an immigration lawyer. Mensah is advocating for their case and exploring legal avenues to help the family remain in the UK.
