Max moved to Brighton from Montreal in November 2023 to build a new life here, and to be closer to their partner Jay . They have been working in care for the last two years, and running Mystery Fluids drag and cabaret show with myself.

Unfortunately, as I'm sure we're all aware, social care and drag are not a lucrative lines of work, and they need help covering the fees for their visa extension. We're looking to the community for help to allow Max and their beautiful cat Beatrix stay in Brighton and continue the life they've started here.

As the UK government only allows applications for extensions 28 days prior to the end of a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, we are applying for an expedited decision to allow Max time to create a safe contingency plan if any issues arise (which could be only days without the expedited process). Without paying for the expedited processing time, there is then up to an 8 week decision making process post application. During this time Max will not be allowed to leave the country, leaving a grey area if the decision comes after the end of their current visa.

Max is currently working towards either returning to school to start their PhD to qualify for a student visa (primary goal), or Care Workers visa, both of which would count towards future Indefinite Leave to Remain. They have been trying to secure funding for a PhD over the last 2 years but have been unable to find a suitable course. They are still actively pursing this, but need more time to figure out how to access the funding they would need to be able to begin PhD work.

The breakdown of fees is as follows:

£319 Application Fee

£776 Immigration Health Surcharge

£500 Priority Service fee (for expedited decision process)