Reunited before Christmas after four years of heartache
Published: August 5, 2005
A family ripped apart by a visa row will finally be reunited for Christmas after four heartbreaking years apart.
Melvyn Burnett, 62, was today told by the Immigration Services that his Filipino wife Melanie and their two young children can return to Norwich.
Mr Burnett, of Constitution Hill, Norwich, said he was ecstatic the family could be together again and was now making plans for their long-awaited return home, which is expected to be within the next two months. The family was not allowed to return to the UK because it was felt Mr Burnett, who is an IT professional but currently works at the Tesco store in Blue Boar Lane, Sprowston, did not earn enough money.
Mrs Burnett, 42, is a trained nurse and the Home Office has since given this as one of the reasons why she should be allowed to return to the UK.
Mr Burnett’s wife and sons, 13-year-old Shane and Karl, aged four, were overwhelmed when told of the news they had been waiting so long to hear.
“I am absolutely over the moon,” said Mr Burnett. “I have waited four years for this. It seems the authorities have finally seen sense.
“It was heartbreaking to be away from my family but now we have a future together. It is excellent, amazing. I can’t wait. We are going to have a massive party and just carry on celebrating.”
Mr Burnett met his wife in Saudi Arabia in 1989 when he was working as an IT professional. They soon got married in the Philippines and returned to Norwich for four years, with Mrs Burnett able to get an interim licence. However, Mrs Burnett had to return to the Philippines where she was told she could not return to Norwich.
She took the decision to study nursing because she knew nurses were in demand in the area.
The authorities believed Mr Burnett would have difficulty finding appropriate work in Norwich because of his age and would not be able to financially support his family.
He has been unable to get a job in his field and now works at Tesco where his wages keep his children in schools and shoes in the Philippines.
The legal battle for the couple included Mr Burnett travelling more than 6,600 miles to argue the case for his family to join him in England. He was turned away from the British Embassy in Manila, but the Immigration Services have now granted the visa.
“The Home Office said we can finally be together,” said Mr Burnett. “One of the reasons they cited is that the country is calling out for nurses and Melanie is now qualified. I now have to sort out where the kids are going to go to school and where we will all live, but all of that will be okay because we’ll be together.
“The first thing I am going to do is take the kids to Pleasurewood Hills and then to McDonald’s.
“I have been planning this for ages and nothing will ruin it.
“Then I have to find somewhere for the boys to go to school and get us a place to live.
“We have finally got what we have been fighting for. It was worth it. I want to thank everyone who has helped us get this far. This includes Evening News readers, the Immigration Advisory Service in Norwich and friends and family.”
Norwich North MP Ian Gibson questioned the Home Office about Melanie Burnett’s return to the UK last year. “This is great news for the family,” Dr Gibson said. “I hope they will forget the past and look forward to the future together.”
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