New Edinburgh MSP clarifies visa status after Holyrood election
Newly elected Scottish Greens MSP Q Manivannan has confirmed they are currently living in Scotland on a student visa while serving at Holyrood.
The Edinburgh and Lothians East representative says they are applying for a graduate visa and a Global Talent Visa to remain in the UK long-term following last week’s election.
Under Scottish election rules, Commonwealth citizens with the right to live in the UK are eligible to stand for the Scottish Parliament.
Manivannan said they were “proud” to represent migrants and people living in Scotland on visas who are “often shut out of our national debate”.
The MSP added that Scotland is “home, in every way”.
Manivannan is also among the first openly transgender MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament.
In a statement, they said every party at Holyrood had previously backed rules allowing people with the legal right to live in the UK to stand in Scottish elections.
The newly elected MSP previously studied at Heriot-Watt University and says they are transitioning from a student visa after completing a PhD.