Neyland dad-of-two Sam Cataki has been granted “indefinite leave” to remain in the UK, the Western Telegraph understands.

Fijian Sam, who served in the British Army for 12 years, saw his life thrown into chaos when he was refused a citizenship visa by the Home Office last month.

The decision meant Sam, wife Seini, who works at a nearby nursing home, and children Mesake, five, and one-year-old Jared faced deportation despite Sam having lived and worked in the UK since the age of 20.

While in the armed forced he had been based at Brawdy and since November 2014 has worked as a search operative with the Milford Haven Port Authority at Pembroke Dock port.

Following the announcement that his visa application had been rejected, the Port Authority had no option but to terminate his contract of employment.

However, Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb was last week able to speak directly to the Department of Immigration and have Sam granted a temporary reprieve, enabling him to return to work in the short-term.

Friends and Neyland residents – along with Sam’s team-mates from Neyland RFC – set up an online petition calling for the Home Office to rethink its initial decision and grant Sam and his family the right to remain in the UK.

According to reports, the Department of Immigration has now granted Sam “indefinite leave” to remain in Britain.

Writing on the change.org website yesterday (Friday), family friend Jonathan Sutton said: “Delighted to hear from Sam tonight and discover that as of today he has been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom.

“Another huge step in the quest for citizenship.

“Thanks to everyone who has pushed this into the public eye!”