Top scholar’s residency application rejected after 16 years in UK

German-born Lars Chittka says he may now leave the country

Published on
January 16, 2019
Last updated
January 16, 2019
Rachael Pells
Lars Chittka
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Print headline: 16 years in UK but scholar’s bid to stay rejected

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Reader's comments (15)

#1 Submitted by ztnvse0... on January 16, 2019 - 8:15am
Not sure what the fuss is- as the article implies, professor Chittka has the option to reapply- it only costs £65 to do so....
#2 Submitted by ... on January 16, 2019 - 11:54am
I suspect that there is more than it meets the eye. There appears to be some arrogance on the part of Professor himself (e.g., he thinks re-applying is akin to 'begging' the Home Office, and is somewhat frivolous to the requirements for the application in terms of photo suitability). As a professor, I found it almost ridiculous that he cannot assess the suitability of the photos for his application and needs assurance from an immigration officer(!). I am saying this as an non-UK academic who has also recently obtained my settlement fuss-free from the Home Office. The arrogance I suspect from him is that he thinks that being eminent in his research contribution to the UK, rules/requirements can be averted/compromised for him specifically (i.e., I am so eminent that the rules don't apply to me or can be comprised for me, or the Home Office should take an obsequious attitude towards my application: they should be glad that I bother to apply at all). Immigration requirements are immigration requirements - everyone should respect the requirements of their host country regardless of how important you think you are.
#3 Submitted by EdUcatorEdUcator on January 16, 2019 - 12:56pm
There's all kinds of issues around what constitutes an acceptable passport picture, so taking advice from someone who knows the guidelines is entirely correct and sensible. Strange you're accusing the professor of arrogance whilst asserting you or he would be in a better position to know what is right than a person qho processes applications as part of their job? Perhaps you don't respect that person - indicating you think 'i.e., I am so eminent that the rules don't apply to me or can be comprised for me'? That aside, do you seriously think it's OK for someone who is clearly the kind of person whose skills and expertise the UK wants to retain to have no right of appeal on what is patently a 'computer said no' issue? Even after they have taken advice to get it right? His attitude is entirely understandable. He respected the requirements of the host country to the letter and it's disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
#4 Submitted by ... on January 16, 2019 - 4:43pm
It is not that hard - I did it on my own without problems. The applicant is a highly educated professional and the instructions for the application (e.g., what constitutes an appropriate photo) are very clear. There are no 'all kinds of issues around what constitutes an acceptable passport picture'. Do not create unnecessary concerns about this when there are clearly none. I have done it in the last couple of months and got my outcome within less than 2 months.This was done all within the context of all this fear-mongering about immigration and Brexit etc - so I know. Yes, it is a tedious application/procedure to complete but there is no reason why he can't do it right. If the photo was rejected, then it means that it did not fulfill the requirements. Respect works both ways - throwing a hissy fit just because your immigration application got rejected is immature and unprofessional. It is not like the applicant is going to be jobless with this rejection - he can re-apply. And, it is not as if he is permanently barred from doing so. It is not the end of the world. Correct the mistake(s) and re-apply (if desired), and move on. You should too.
#5 Submitted by EdUcatorEdUcator on January 16, 2019 - 5:15pm
Hmm. Hissy fit is an appropriate term here. This interaction is worth no more of my time.
#6 Submitted by rjknell on January 18, 2019 - 3:44pm
Lars is a colleague of mine. He is in no way arrogant and despite his eminence is not at all egotistical - rather he is a solid team player. Maybe you need to take a look at yourself and the assumptions you're making about people you don't know.
#7 Submitted by EdUcatorEdUcator on January 21, 2019 - 9:16am
For goodness sake, you're just proving my point. He accused the subject of this article of being arrogant. I used a simple rhetorical device to show the same argument could be applied to what he said. His language was inflammatory, and I simply used the same as him. If he and you don't like it, then he shouldn't use such language. Eminence and team playing have nothing to do with it.
#8 Submitted by T.... on January 28, 2019 - 3:52pm
Actually, he is applying for settlement not the EU scheme. The cost is nearly £3,000 p.p.
#9 Submitted by fss1@... on January 16, 2019 - 9:15am
He said “My feeling from this experience is they have been instructed to generate a hostile environment,”. I agree.
#10 Submitted by m.... on January 16, 2019 - 10:38am
What grounds were given for the refusal? And if it's possible to reapply, what's the problem? It's still a clumsy system that does not accommodate the needs of the academic community. No wonder one of our researchers, an Italian, has now departed for China saying that as democracy has failed him, he's going to try a dictatorship instead!
#11 Submitted by will.mington on January 16, 2019 - 11:13am
Academic throws hissy fit and sulks off. Slow news day?
#12 Submitted by b.ovens... on January 17, 2019 - 12:48pm
There's no right of appeal under any of the routes when it's a refusal. But this was not a refusal, it was a rejection so it definitely wouldn't have a right of appeal. If the application was for permanent residency it would have been less than £65 (that's the settlement scheme price), which I'm sure QMUL would have been able to afford. We're not looking at the exhorbitant costs for ILR or even the student routes. Unfortunately, you could have the cure for cancer but if your application doesn't meet the requirements, then it won't be granted.
#13 Submitted by tjwalther on January 18, 2019 - 12:04pm
I think the above conversation misses the main point: even if most of what the Home Office decides is just and reasonable a lot it does is not really transparent: you submit documents and pray. Nobody will respond to your queries by either phone, email or post. In the very few cases where things do not go to plan, for whatever reason, you will need a lawyer, cash, and time. This can be nerve-wracking for some, in particular if family lives depend on this.
#14 Submitted by ... on January 24, 2019 - 4:57pm
Funny - I had exactly the same problem with passport photos for my PR application last year. Taken in the UK as passport photos, used as such on my German passport, but for some reasons not satisfactory for the Home Office. I've since gone for settled status, which worked fine. I think the problem is mainly that Home Office procedures seem to be designed to discourage immigration. Always easier to reject on flimsy grounds and wait for people to appeal. Doesn't bode well for "Global Britain" though.
#15 Submitted by T.... on January 28, 2019 - 3:56pm
There also may be more to this. When you go and get a passport photo (unless you go to a booth), they upload the photo to the Home Office website that checks the digital photo and gives you approval plus a code so that you do not have to submit the photo in hard form.

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