Help Soody remain in the UK: Visa and Medical Help

I am a friend and former PhD colleague of Soody's, organising this fundraiser on her behalf. Anyone who has met Soody knows what an amazing individul she is and what a devastating loss it would be to have her forced out of the UK. Please read her story below and consider donating to her legal fees. Even small donations will really help! Thank you. - Alexis

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My name is Soody and I urgently need help to stay in the UK. I'm originally from Iran and have been living in the UK since Feb 2014. I finished my PhD last year and switched to a one-year visa to gain work experience and look for jobs after finishing my studies. However, because of the pandemic, I have not been able to secure work. This is especially distressing, because I also have a medical condition (Diabetic Type 1) and currently there is a shortage of my medication in Iran due to US sanctions and Covid-19. My current visa ends on 31 August and I’ll be forced to leave if I can’t make a new visa application by then. I'm raising money to pay for immigration lawyer costs on the human rights route to help me to stay, receive my medicine, and find work that will allow me to get a new visa.


About me

I was born in Iran. I moved to the UK in 2014 to study. I finished my PhD last year. Currently I’m living in London. I have worked for student halls supporting students, raising awareness for mental health issues and helping students (especially international ones) integrate into bigger communities. I have also taught, mentored and supported undergraduate and postgraduate students.


The Situation

There is no doubt that the pandemic has affected everyone. Upon finishing my PhD last year, I was given just one year by the Home Office to look for jobs. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any. Not only because of the pandemic, there were no jobs in my field, but also, since I am diabetic Type 1, I had to shield.

Currently, there has been a shortage of insulin in Iran for the past year. The pandemic and US sanctions have exasperated this situation. The double threat of sanctions and Covid-19 means that my life would be in grave danger if I had to go back to Iran. 

I have been in the UK for the past 7 years, which is my home now. I have been getting diabetic care and medication in the UK, which is not sufficient in Iran. The US has not eased own its sanctions in Covid crisis and most health centres and hospitals in Iran are struggling to provide essential medicines, medical care and equipment. Both health and economic crisis in Iran, aggravated by sanctions and the pandemic, means that I wouldn’t be able to medically, financially and economically survive.

My visa is running out on 31 August, and I need to immediately make a new application to stay in the UK. This is why I’m asking for help. Going back to Iran is a big threat to my life and staying in the UK would not be possible without me making a new application based on medical grounds.
 

I do not have access to public funds or unemployment benefits in the UK because of my immigration status.

 

What’s the Plan?

I think of the UK as my home. I came here as a student and for 7 years, because of the restrictions on my student visa, I was not allowed to work full-time. I would like to be able to stay, work and give emotional and academic support to students. The unstable and expensive visa situation that the Home Office creates for international students like me has negatively impacted my life and my capacity to explore other things such as having full-time employment, relationships and a more enjoyable lifestyle.

Upon talking to many immigration lawyers, I was advised to make an application based on human rights due to my medical condition. However, without a lawyer, I won’t be able to make this application. I’m asking for £4000 to help me hire a lawyer. Although some of these costs are likely to change (for example if the application is unsuccessful, I would have to pay again to appeal the Home Office decision), the breakdown of the foreseeable costs at this stage are:

- £2500: immigration lawyer costs: the first instalment of £1500 will allow me to start the legal process and the second instalment of £1000 to cover all the costs

- £1000: costs for the preparation of related documents such as GP’s letter, medical report by a country expert, and translation and notarization of related documents

- £500: other costs including my living costs to support self until employment

 

With your help I will be able to give back to students, in particular disabled international students, and refugee women to empower those who need equal opportunities. I will donate any funds that I don’t use to Snowdon Trust Charity and Women for Refugee Women.

 

While the past seven years in the UK have been difficult for me because of the work and benefit restrictions that the Home Office imposes upon international students, I have met the most wonderful people, friends and colleagues who have gone out of their way to support me in any way they could. I’m so grateful to all of you who have contributed and will contribute to keep me here in the UK.