Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old Ghanaian man, has initiated legal proceedings against the United Kingdom’s Home Office following the denial of his application for permanent residency despite residing in the country for 42 years. Shardey arrived in the UK in 1977 and has been a resident for nearly five decades.
Despite his long-term residence, Shardey received a shocking response from the Home Office, indicating that he would need to wait an additional ten years before being considered for permanent residency. This unexpected decision came as a blow to Shardey, who had assumed he was a British citizen after arriving in the UK in 1977 to pursue studies in accountancy on a student visa that permitted him to work.
Shardey’s realization of his non-British status occurred in 2019, prompting him to seek legal recourse. Despite his lifelong contributions to the UK, including paying taxes and establishing himself within the community as a retired newsagent, Shardey now faces the prospect of significant financial burdens, including potential healthcare costs, as he navigates the complexities of his residency status.
Throughout his decades in the UK, Shardey held various jobs, including roles at Mother’s Pride bread, Kipling’s Cakes, and Bendick’s Chocolate. He remained committed to his life in the UK, even amidst personal challenges such as a coup in his native Ghana, which impacted his family’s financial ability to support him.
Shardey’s situation took a distressing turn when he applied for a passport in 2019 to travel to Ghana following the death of his mother, only to discover that he was not considered a British citizen by the Home Office. This revelation left him facing uncertainty and prompted him to challenge the Home Office’s decision through legal channels.
The case highlights the complexities and challenges faced by individuals navigating immigration systems, underscoring the need for clarity and fairness in determining residency and citizenship rights. Shardey’s legal action against the Home Office represents a quest for justice and recognition of his longstanding ties to the UK despite the bureaucratic hurdles he now faces.