AN American woman is preparing to be reunited with her Scottish husband after the Home Office relented and granted her a spousal visa after a two-year battle.

Juli Colaianni sent a picture of her visa to husband Tony Duffy in Edinburgh, as soon as she received it on Tuesday evening.

The 30-year-old had returned to the US in December to re-apply after her application was rejected because the Home Office said Duffy, a self-employed plasterer, did not meet the minimum income requirement.

Speaking from Pennsylvania, Colaianni thanked The National and said she would be campaigning for Scottish independence and helping other families in similar circumstances.

She said: “I am overwhelmed with happiness and excitement and I don’t think I have stopped smiling since I opened that envelope and saw that I was finally granted my visa. I feel like I can finally breathe for the first time in almost three years.

“It felt like I was living in a haze for the last year being separated from Tony, like a heavy veil of darkness was covering me. Now, I’m excited for the future and to start my life with my husband.”

Duffy, who has suffered mental health problems through the stress of their battle, said: “We really appreciate the help we’ve received from The National and everybody else.

“Juli got an email on Friday to say a decision has been made and if she’d chosen to get her passport by post, it would be there by the next day. It didn’t say anything about the decision, so we’ve been on edge for the past couple of days before UPS delivered it on Tuesday.

“I was hoping for the best but expecting another challenge. It’s a huge weight lifted off our shoulders.”

His wife said they had to put all their plans on hold, but added: “We can start saving to buy a house and actually starting planning on having a family. The things I’m most excited for, however, are things that most families probably take for granted – simple things such as waking up next to each other, eating dinner together, and actually being able to hold a conversation face to face.

“I never fully appreciated the everyday boring aspects of life with Tony because I never thought I’d be in a position where we were 3000 miles away from each other.”

Colaianni said she was relieved she would now be able to work in Scotland: “For 15 years I was either studying full time, employed full time, or doing both, so not being able to work has been very rough for me. I’m excited to be able to put my degree to use, especially in one of the biggest cultural cities in the world. I also want to start practising photography more and what better place to take pictures than the beautiful country of Scotland?

“I will continue to campaign ... until every family who has been separated are finally together again. Tony and I may have won our battle, but there is still a war to fight.

“I also plan to campaign for an independent Scotland. So many Scottish people have joined Tony and I on our fight, it’s only right that I give back to the country that has welcomed and fought for me.

“Thank you for everything you have done to support Tony and me on this journey.”

Her husband said they would have to reapply in 2022, but added: “Hopefully Scotland will be independent by then to make it a bit easier.”

Tommy Sheppard, the couple’s SNP MP, said: “The ordeal that this young couple have been put through because of punitive Home Office policies is absolutely shocking. I really hope they’re able to put all of that behind them and get on with building the rest of their lives together.”

Damir Duheric, their lawyer, added: “It is a great news ... It is also a reminder that immigration is very complex and the rules are applied and interpreted strictly by the authorities. Unfortunately, in doing so the authorities often forget that behind each case there are people and families.”