AN American academic and his Scottish wife have bid their final farewell to Scotland after he was forced to leave due to a change in immigration laws.
Andrew Wilbur, who has lived in Scotland for 14 years, and Laura Francesgangeli, flew out to Italy from Glasgow Airport yesterday as he no longer meets the criteria to stay here.
Under new rules introduced in July, applicants for a leave to remain marriage visa must have met a household income threshold of £18,600 in the 12 months before application.
As Mr Wilbur was studying a PhD in human geography at Glasgow University – which he has now completed – and his wife was on Jobseeker's Allowance, they had not earned enough money for him to stay.
The couple, who have been married for six years, are now going to live with Ms Francesgangeli's retired parents.
Mr Wilbur said: "I feel like I'm having to start from scratch again, and Laura is leaving behind everything she's used to, so for her it's very difficult."
As revealed in The Herald on Saturday, Mr Wilbur contacted the UK Border Agency to explain his situation and was told that his visa application would be refused as they did not meet the income threshold.
A UKBA spokeswoman said the agency does not comment on individual cases, but said all applicants must conform to immigration rules.
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