A DANCE teacher has been sent back to New Zealand and banned from re-entering the country after accidentally becoming an over-stayer in the UK.

Jacinta Landon has lived in the UK since 2006, and settled in Salisbury in 2011.

Last summer she was in the process of applying for British citizenship when her ancestry visa (issued because of her British grandparents) expired.

The government issued her with a 28-day notice to leave the country and told her she could not re-apply for a British visa for 12 months.

Jacinta, who left the UK on August 30 last year, told the Journal: “Everything has a consequence in life, which I fully accept,” but said the punishment has “caused so much damage” to her life, as she has had to leave her husband and flourishing business behind.

“The one-year ban might seem like a fitting punishment for someone who has over-stayed because it is their intention to deceive the government, but in my case I had every right to apply for another ancestry visa, I just missed the deadline,” she said.

“I am reminding myself all the time that there are much worse things in life, but I am finding it difficult to suddenly be without my husband, friends, students and to be struggling to run my business from afar.”

Jacinta said her friends have “been so beautiful and supportive” about her situation, but that it was taking its toll on her.

She said: “There are major life events which I have had to miss and I have to deal with all of this mentally as well as financially.

“One year doesn’t seem so bad on paper, I know, but it’s been four months so far and I feel like I have been punished enough now.

“My parents have English passports, my grandparents are English, I must say I feel very English. I am very happy in Salisbury.”

Jacinta set up Elevate Dance Company in the city five years ago, and has gone from teaching two children to more than 200 youngsters.

The group teaches at local primary schools as well a providing affordable dance classes and scholarships for students from disadvantaged families.

But a spokesman for the company said without Jacinta, “Elevate is missing its soul and struggling to stay open”.

“The punishment she has been given has a negative impact on so many people and is so harsh on someone who genuinely made an innocent mistake.

“Jacinta has made Salisbury her home. She is hardworking. She is in a loving marriage, where they both financially and emotionally support each other and share a property. She has two dogs and is desperate to start a family.

“I think we all expected it to just be a fine, but it is such a harsh punishment. It has had a massive impact on everyone.

“All we are asking is that this ban be lifted and Jacinta can reapply for a visa and return home to her family, friends and students.

“As a valued member of our community, we are struggling to carry on without her. Her husband is without his wife. Elevate students are without their teacher and mentor, and our country is without an incredible, hardworking and inspirational woman.”

More than 4,500 people have signed a petition calling for the Home Office to lift Jacinta’s 12-month ban for re-application.

Currently she cannot re-apply until September 1, and must then wait eight weeks for a decision.