The family of a child chess prodigy have been told they can apply for a new work visa to replace the father’s existing one.
Shreyas Royal, nine, has lived in the UK since he was three years old and is currently ranked number four in the world at chess for his age group.
His family, who are from India, moved to south London when father Jitendra Singh, 38, was offered a job as an IT project manager almost five years ago.
The family had been told they would have to leave the UK when the visa expired, but on Friday Mr Singh received an email saying he could reapply to stay.
Nine-year-old Shreyas Royal’s family have been told via email that they can reapply for a Tier 2 (General) work visa when father Jitendra Singh’s expires in September
Mr Singh told the BBC the family was ‘very happy and relieved’ and that Shreyas ‘jumped on the sofa’ with excitement when he heard the news.
The current work visa is set to expire next month and Mr Singh had previously been told that he would have to earn £120,000 a year to reapply.
The family is hopeful now that they have received the Home Office email and can apply for a Tier 2 (General) work visa, which is valid for up to five years.
Mr Singh also said he wanted to apply for permanent residency, if his new visa request is granted.
The email explained that Mr Singh’s employers, Tata Consultancy Services, would ‘start the process of issuing a new Certificate of Sponsorship’, reported the BBC.
Shreyas, has been described as ‘the best prospect this country has ever seen’ by chess grandmaster and former British grandmaster Chris Ward and is tipped to be England’s first world champion
The family moved to south London when Mr Singh, 38, was offered a job as an IT project manager almost five years ago
Shreyas, has been described as ‘the best prospect this country has ever seen’ by chess grandmaster and former British grandmaster Chris Ward.
Shreyas started playing chess aged six and went on to becoming the world’s youngest ‘candidate master’.
Mr Singh previously told The Times that he feared his son’s promising career could be cut short if he was sent back to India.
He said: ‘Shreyas’s life is here – he has roots. We are used to India … but it will be a massive shock for Shreyas.
‘He will not be able to continue his chess, it really is a terrible situation.’
Leon Watson, secretary of Battersea Chess Club, where Shreyas is a member, said the news was an ‘enormous relief’
‘In 10 years’ time we hope he’ll be a household name as England’s first world champion.’
Labour MPs Rachel Reeves tweeted to say she was ‘delighted’ for the family.
She added: ‘This is also great news for the country which would’ve lost one of its best and brightest had Shreyas been deported.’
Labour MP for Leeds West Rachel Reeves supported the families campaign to stay in the UK. She called nine-year-old Shreyas one ‘of our best and brightest’