(Jamaica Observer) – Lloyd Bogle’s anxious wait for a British visa ended on Friday when the 64-year-old man, who was stranded in Jamaica for the past three months, got a call from the British High Commission.
“The call came to me at about 11.30 am telling me to come to the embassy and that my visa was approved,” an elated Bogle told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Bogle said he felt relieved after he first got the news and then his multi-entry visa from the British authorities.
“I am just elated to know that all of this is now behind me. I am really thankful to God, to those whose supported me, to the authorities, to the Jamaica Observer and the many Jamaicans who helped me when I was in need,” said an obviously overjoyed Bogle.
Bogle, who has been living in England for the past 54 years, was left stranded in the island after enjoying a two-week trip — his first back home in all that time.
Bogle said his ordeal started on October 13, 2014 when he got to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to take a return flight to England, only to be told by Immigration officials that they could not allow him to leave.
“I got the shock of my life when I was turned back and told by authorities that I would have to have a visa to leave the country,” said Bogle, who added that he was not aware of the travel requirement. The reason for that is that Bogle, since leaving Jamaica in 1957, never applied for British citizenship. In fact, he said he didn’t renew his Jamaican passport until just before he travelled here on September 29, 2014.
