noelyf
VIP Member
Wednesday 6 October 2010
The UK Border Agency has said that rejected 'X Factor' contestant Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK voluntarily because her visa has run out.
Gamu Nhengu - Family's visa has run out
The Press Association reports that the 18-year-old was allowed stay in the UK as a dependent while her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, was studying at university.
However, the family's visa has run out and their application to stay in the UK has been rejected because they did not meet all Home Office criteria.
If the singer and her family do not leave voluntarily they face deportation to their native Zimbabwe.
They have no right to appeal and cannot apply to stay in the UK separately.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The applications made by Ms Ngazana and her family were considered in line with the published immigration rules.
"Ms Ngazana's application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependants, were therefore also refused.
"Where people are found to have no right to remain in the UK we expect them to leave voluntarily."
The spokesman said that the decision not to put the 18-year-old through to the 'X Factor' finals was the "business" of the programme.
He could not say whether judge Cheryl Cole's decision to eliminate the teenager followed talks between immigration staff and the makers of the show.
But a spokeswoman for the ITV show said: "Gamu's visa being processed was not the reason that she didn't make the final 12."
The UK Border Agency has said that rejected 'X Factor' contestant Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK voluntarily because her visa has run out.
Gamu Nhengu - Family's visa has run out
The Press Association reports that the 18-year-old was allowed stay in the UK as a dependent while her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, was studying at university.
However, the family's visa has run out and their application to stay in the UK has been rejected because they did not meet all Home Office criteria.
If the singer and her family do not leave voluntarily they face deportation to their native Zimbabwe.
They have no right to appeal and cannot apply to stay in the UK separately.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The applications made by Ms Ngazana and her family were considered in line with the published immigration rules.
"Ms Ngazana's application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependants, were therefore also refused.
"Where people are found to have no right to remain in the UK we expect them to leave voluntarily."
The spokesman said that the decision not to put the 18-year-old through to the 'X Factor' finals was the "business" of the programme.
He could not say whether judge Cheryl Cole's decision to eliminate the teenager followed talks between immigration staff and the makers of the show.
But a spokeswoman for the ITV show said: "Gamu's visa being processed was not the reason that she didn't make the final 12."