Scottish Green 'nonbinary' student on 3 year visa elected to serve 5 year Parliamentary term—he's fundraising for a new visa

A Scottish Greens candidate elected to represent the Edinburgh and Lothians East region is reportedly serving on a temporary student visa while beginning his five-year term in the Scottish Parliament. He is also crowdfunding for another temporary visa and also identifies as nonbinary.

Q Mannivannan is seeking financial assistance to secure a graduate visa. Mannivannan, a PhD student, is eligible to serve as a Member of the Scottish Parliament despite not being a UK citizen due to changes to election laws passed in recent years.

The Scottish Parliament approved the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act in 2020, allowing anyone legally living in the UK to stand as a candidate for Holyrood.

“My name is Dr Q Manivannan, I am a transgender Tamil immigrant, my pronouns are they/them,” he told supporters at the Edinburgh count. “I am to some in this country everything that the hateful despise, and I am standing here as your MSP now with care.”

According to The Telegraph, the self-described “queer Tamil immigrant" candidate sent messages to colleagues asking for donations to a campaign seeking to raise £2,089 for a graduate visa, which will allow three additional years to work before applying for the next visa. Mannivannan reportedly told colleagues the money would help him save up for the £5,047 cost of applying for a global talent visa.

“Voters will be astonished that this candidate doesn't even know if they will be able to stay in the country going forward,” said Sue Webber, Scottish Conservative candidate for the Lothians. “Questions must be asked as to why they are standing for Holyrood with uncertainty hanging over them."