Visa Win After Long MS Battle: A British couple has been granted permanent residency in Australia after a lengthy legal and emotional battle caused by one partner’s MS diagnosis. Their application was originally denied due to medical cost concerns, but after public and political pressure, immigration officials reversed the decision.
This case highlights a deep flaw in the way immigration systems assess medical conditions. While it’s fair for countries to consider long-term costs, policies must also account for cases like Jessica’s, where the condition is well-managed, and applicants are actively contributing to society. This decision is a win for fairness, and it sets an encouraging example of how public support and ministerial review can overcome rigid policy.
Miler Michel
Summary
- The couple’s visa application was denied because of anticipated healthcare expenses linked to multiple sclerosis.
- Jessica Mathers and Rob O’Leary have lived in Australia since 2017
- Jessica was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2020
- Australian law bars visas if future healthcare costs burden Medicare
- Over 25,000 people signed their online petition
- Immigration Minister Tony Burke intervened directly
- Their MP, Allegra Spender, played a key advocacy role
- Couple says they’re “over the moon” after being approved
- The case has raised wider concerns about health-related visa rules
- Family and friends are now planning celebrations in Australia
Permanent Residency Granted After Long Legal Fight
British nationals Jessica Mathers and Rob O’Leary, who reside in Sydney, have officially obtained permanent residency in Australia. Their case gained attention after Jessica’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis led to a visa rejection in 2023. The government initially ruled that her future treatment would pose an undue cost to Medicare, violating the country’s strict health criteria for migrants.
Public Support and Political Action
In response to the rejection, the couple launched a public petition that collected more than 25,000 signatures. They also gained the support of MP Allegra Spender, who pushed for a ministerial review. Their experience ignited a nationwide discussion on Australia’s immigration policies regarding applicants with treatable health conditions.
Immigration Minister Personally Intervenes
Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke directly contacted MP Spender to confirm the couple’s visa had been approved. The announcement marked the end of a nearly four-year ordeal that began after Mathers’ 2020 MS diagnosis. The couple, who met in 2017 while backpacking, said they had put many life plans on hold, fearing deportation.
Couple Celebrates New Chapter in Australia
In a heartfelt social media post, the couple shared their joy, announcing they had officially become Australia’s newest Permanent Residents. They described feeling both relieved and thrilled about what lies ahead. “Now that this opportunity has arrived, we’re more motivated and hopeful than ever to shape our future in the country we cherish,” they wrote. Their families, eager to celebrate, are already making plans to visit and mark this significant achievement.
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