Sir Julian Brazier, a former minister of defence, welcomed the news, but said that he was concerned that Commander Rawlins had been forced to go through the ordeal in the first place.
“It’s extremely good news that it’s been sorted out at last, but it is extraordinary that Commander Rawlins and his wife was put through all of that.
“It suggests to me that the current visa system is in need of an urgent overhaul. It is simply not right that any member of our Armed Forces should be placed in this situation.”
His comments were echoed by Colonel Richard Kemp, , the former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, who said it was “disgraceful” that the couple had been left in limbo.
“I think it’s disgraceful that a wife of a British serviceman, who is an American citizen, is unable to get access to this country or should be held up like this.”
“He has served his country his entire career, he has put himself in harm’s way - yet people who have done nothing for this country seem to be able to much more freely come and go.”
Exclusive: Wife of 'Top Gun' war hero Simon Rawlins is finally coming home after being granted visa