Becky* is an Irish citizen. She graduated from university in the 90s but was unable to find work in Ireland. She found an exciting job opportunity working in Lebanon and then later Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Becky met her husband while living in Saudi Arabia. Her husband Maron* is originally from Jordan but had also emigrated to find work. They were in a relationship for several years before they got married – Becky’s job meant that she had to travel extensively for work.
Once married, they set up a business together in United Arab Emirates. Their business grew and became very successful and they also had 3 daughters together. Becky, her husband and their children travelled back to Ireland regularly to visit Becky’s family and had planned that they would return to live in Ireland before their daughters were in secondary school. Becky’s plans had to be pushed forward when her mother fell ill and died. Becky’s father was now living alone and he needed support.
Becky and the children flew back to Ireland and Maron began making plans to sell off the business and apply for a visa for Ireland. Becky and Maron submitted Maron’s visa application and were distraught when it was refused. The visa officer had refused on the grounds that Becky was not working in Ireland and had failed to consider that she was the sole carer of their three young daughters and an elderly parent.
When Becky came to Nasc she was incredibly frustrated and didn’t know where to turn.
Her visa for United Arab Emirates had expired as had those of her daughters and Maron’s visa appeal had also been refused. Nasc were able to submit a new application for Becky clearly outlining the humanitarian circumstances of the cases, the long-standing nature of their relationship and the impact that the separation from their father was having on Becky’s children. Nasc submitted a huge amount of documentation to prove that Maron, an entrepreneur, would bring economic resources to Ireland and would likely be able to set up his own business in Ireland and become an employer here.
