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After nearly five decades in the UK, Ghanaian resident Nelson Shardey faces an uphill battle with the Home Office over his residency status. Despite his longstanding contributions to society, Shardey's case highlights the complexities and challenges immigrants encounter in navigating UK immigration policies

Nelson Shardey, a Ghanaian who has resided in the UK since 1977, is embroiled in a bureaucratic struggle with the Home Office, highlighting the complexities of immigration policies.

After assuming he was British due to his long tenure in the country, Shardey's world was upended when he applied for a passport in 2019. To his shock, the Home Office informed him that he lacked the right to reside in the UK.

Despite his contributions to society, including running a successful newsagent business and receiving accolades for bravery, Shardey was told he must follow the 10-year settlement route, costing £7,000, plus an additional £10,500 for access to healthcare. At 74, with prostate cancer recovery looming, Shardey faces the prospect of waiting until he is 84 to gain permanent residency.

Shardey's case underscores the need for immigration policy reform and has prompted legal action led by Nicola Burgess of the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU). The Home Office declined to comment on the ongoing case, leaving Shardey's future in limbo and raising questions about the fairness of the immigration system in the UK.