A refugee family who rebuilt their lives in Kent only for a visa “glitch” to throw their future here in doubt say a long-awaited Home Office decision has brought “huge relief”.
The Alabrash–Hachmi family, who live in Istead Rise near Gravesend, had been left unable to prove their right to live, work or study in the UK because of problems with the digital eVisa system.
The Alabrash–Hachmi family have been granted indefinite leave to remain after months of uncertainty.
While awaiting a decision on their indefinite leave to remain applications a technical issue meant, for months, they could not generate Home Office share codes to show potential employers, even though their legal status should have remained valid during the process.
Their teenage son Serry, who was studying at Northfleet Technology College, said at the time he felt like his life was on hold” because he could not apply for a provisional driving licence, student finance or jobs like his friends.
The family arrived in Britain legally in September 2019 under the UK’s Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme after fleeing Syria during the civil war where years of fighting had completely destroyed neighbourhoods in their home city of Homs.
With nowhere safe to return, the family first sought refuge in Jordan and later Egypt, where they spent several years living as refugees.
In 2019 they were selected by the United Nations for resettlement in the UK and granted refugee status on arrival.
Serry with his sister Jana can now look forward to their lives working and studying in the UK
After five years in the country, they applied for indefinite leave to remain, a form of permanent status that allows people to stay in the UK without needing further visas.
Although their right to remain should have continued under the law while the application was pending, the system showed that their information could not be displayed.
Now, father Fawaz Surri Hachmi says a decision to grant them indefinite leave to remain has changed everything.
He told KentOnline: “Receiving indefinite leave to remain has brought huge relief to our family after such a long period of uncertainty.
“It genuinely feels like a heavy weight has been lifted.
“My wife was overwhelmed and emotional, and the children were very happy and finally felt reassured about their future.”
Fawaz is happy he can now use his HGV licence and secure work to help his family
The family kept the celebrations simple, sharing the news with close relatives and friends before marking the moment with a small gathering at home.
And Fawaz said the decision has already made a practical difference to their daily lives with him now able to use his HGV licence and look for driving work.
“We can now prove our status confidently, plan ahead, and feel secure,” he added.
For the children, the change has been immediate.
Their son has applied for his provisional driving licence and is preparing to start driving lessons, something he had wanted to do for a long time.
He has also submitted a university application to the University of Surrey.
Jana holding her school award and flowers
Their daughter, who is studying for her GCSEs, has become more focused now that the uncertainty over the family’s future has lifted.
Fawaz added: “For the children, the decision is a major turning point.
“But also my mum can finally visit her daughter.”
Fawaz’s elderly mother had previously been unable to travel to Germany to visit her terminally ill daughter because she would not have been allowed to return to the UK without the correct documents.
In their previous interview, the family said they felt trapped in the UK, unable to travel or make long-term plans while waiting for the decision.
Now, after almost two years of anxiety, they say they can finally look ahead with confidence.
Fawaz’s sister and her family, who also live in the UK and were in the same situation with visa problems, have now received their visas too and are overjoyed.
They live in Brandon Street, Gravesend, with their children Dia’a, who can now continue with his plans to become a maths teacher, and Lamar, who can finally focus on her GCSEs without fear about her future.
The Home Office was contacted previously about the problems the Alabrash–Hachmi family experienced with the e-visa system but a spokesman said it could not comment on individual cases.