9-year-old Indian chess prodigy wins visa battle to stay in UK

A 9-year-old Indian chess genius won his battle today to stay in the UK after the expiry of his father's work visa as the Home Office made an exception in the case due to his "exceptional talent".

Shreyas Royal has won a series of chess championships and is ranked number four in the world in his age group and has the potential to be a future world chess champion.

But his father Jitendra Singh's IT-related visa was set to expire next month when the family was expected to return to India. A number of British MPs had intervened in the case to urge UK home secretary Sajid Javid to make an exception in Royal's case due to his exceptional talent.

"They [Home Office] just e-mailed me and told me they had considered my case and we are allowed to extend our leave to remain on Tier 2 general route," Singh told the 'Guardian' newspaper.

"We are very happy and Shreyas is very happy. He jumped up on the sofa when he heard the news. I want to thank all those who helped and supported us... I would also like to thank the Home Office and the home secretary who considered our case," he said.

The news was also welcomed by the English Chess Federation (ECF), which has been campaigning for the boy to stay on in the UK and hone his talent. ECF president Dominic Lawson said: "We... are delighted that our efforts to persuade the government to recognise Shreyas Royal's exceptional talents have borne fruit."
"Shreyas is recognised by the English Chess Federation as the country's greatest chess prospect in a generation."
"I would be grateful if you could let me know once the applications have been submitted so that I can ensure that they are processed smoothly."