Green MSP Q Manivannan gets three-year visa extension but still cannot guarantee full Holyrood term

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Q Manivannan, the Indian transgender activist elected as an Edinburgh and Lothians East MSP in May while holding only a temporary student visa, says the Home Office has now upgraded his immigration status to a three-year graduate visa. The 30-year-old, who earns an annual salary of £77,711, failed to win a seat through the Edinburgh council vote and entered Holyrood via the proportional representation list. Even with the new visa, he cannot be certain of completing the full parliamentary term.

Manivannan drew widespread criticism after saying 'rape is a spectrum' and launched a personal fundraising appeal despite his six-figure MSP salary.

Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr called the situation 'an electoral con' and accused the Scottish Greens of treating voters with contempt.

At the time of the May election, Manivannan had no guarantee whatsoever that his continued presence in the UK was assured.