Ulladulla’s Ray Fujun Pei pleads to stay in country after working visa refusal

A south coast businessman is pleading with the Government to let him stay in Australia, after the prospect of deportation arose when his visa was refused.

Residents are calling to 'let Ray stay'. Pictures: Supplied.

A long-serving south coast businessman is facing deportation to China after the Department of Home Affairs refused his working visa renewal due to alleged “illegitimate” documents.

Ray Fujun Pei has run ‘Why Knot Chinese Massage’ for nine years in Ulladulla, where he also resided for that time.

Mr Pei said he had held a working visa for the past nine years, which had allowed him to run his “essential” business.

“I’ve done nothing wrong, no charges, no court hearings; I’ve always done the right thing,” he said.

“I am a very hard working man.”

However, a recent attempt to renew his working visa did not go as planned, resulting in the prospect of being forced back to China where he was born.

According to Mr Pei, the Department of Home Affairs claimed the documentation he presented to renew his working visa was “false”.

“They said the documents I presented were illegitimate,” Mr Pei said.

Mr Pei claimed the documents, which included diplomas, certificates in massage therapy, marriage certificates and drivers licences, were “legitimate”.

“I am a hard working man, our business is essential for Ulladulla and people need us,” he said.

A letter confirming Mr Pei’s visa renewal refusal was sent to him on January 10, which stated “from all the information available to me, including the documents and information the applicant provided, I find that the criteria for the grant of a Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa are not met by the applicant”.

“I have assessed the application and the reasons for my decision are detailed below. An application for a Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa has been made by the applicant. Under migration law, a visa cannot be granted unless the applicant meets the relevant legal requirements that are specified in the Act and the Regulations. Clause 190.216 has not been met by the applicant on the date I made my decision,” the letter further stated.

Some of Ray's documentation, which he claims it "legitimate". Picture: Supplied.

The Department of Home Affairs said they could not comment on individual cases when asked for a statement on Mr Pei’s case.

Mr Pei has now appealed the visa refusal and is awaiting a decision, which can take months.

“I will be allowed to stay in Australia on the south coast while the decision is pending,” Mr Pei said.

Ray Fujun Pei working in his massage parlour. Picture: Supplied.

In the meantime, Mr Pei has started an online petition titled “Let Ray Stay”, which has so far seen more than 500 signatures.

A physical petition is also available in his storefront, which has also garnered hundreds of signatures.

“I know Ray from when I co-managed the arcade his business is in,” Ulladulla resident Lesley King said.

“I have witnessed small businesses shut down in this town due to poor management, however Ray has continued to survive and I believe that is because he works so hard.”

Ray Fujun Pei's online petition. Picture: Change.org

Another resident, Adam Jeffrey said Ray deserved his place in Australia.

“He’s clearly earned his place in this country that should welcome people with open hearts, minds and arms,” he said.

Mr Pei said the community support had been “overwhelming”.

“It goes to show how much the community need us here,” he said.

Mr Pei said while he would be disappointed to be deported, he would do whatever he had to do.

“We will have to wait and see what happens, but if I have to leave, I will,” he said.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, because I have spent years working hard in Ulladulla, always doing the right thing.”