As you approach the end of your initial five-year stay in the UK on an Ancestry visa, you have two important choices for your future: apply to settle permanently (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or apply to extend your visa for another five years. An extension is an excellent option if you do not yet meet the requirements for settlement or if you wish to continue your stay in the UK without applying for permanent residence at this time.
The extension application is a full new visa application that must be submitted correctly and on time to maintain your legal status in the UK. Our team of specialist immigration advisors provides an expert, end-to-end service for Ancestry visa extensions. We manage the entire process for you, ensuring a seamless and successful application so you can continue your life in the UK without interruption.
Why Extend Your UK Ancestry Visa?
While many people on the Ancestry route aim for settlement after five years, an extension can be the right choice in several situations:
- You do not meet the settlement requirements: The main reason to extend is if you have spent too much time outside the UK during your first five years and do not meet the continuous residence requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- Flexibility: You can extend your Ancestry visa as many times as you like, in five-year increments, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility rules.
- Delaying Settlement Costs: An extension allows you to postpone the higher application fee associated with a settlement application.
You must submit your extension application before your current visa expires to maintain your right to live and work in the UK.
The Application Process for Your Extension
The process for extending your visa is handled entirely from within the UK.
Step 1: Check You Still Meet the Eligibility Requirements
To extend your visa, you must continue to meet the core eligibility criteria for the Ancestry route. This means you must still be a Commonwealth citizen and be able to show that you are continuing to work or genuinely seeking work in the UK.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form
You must apply online using the designated form for an in-country extension. This form will ask for details about your time in the UK, your employment, and your personal circumstances.
Step 3: Pay the Fees
You must pay two mandatory fees for each person applying (you and any dependants):
- The Application Fee: The standard fee for a UK Ancestry visa extension is £1,321 per person.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): You must pay the IHS for the full five years of your extension. At the current rate of £1,035 per year, this amounts to a significant upfront cost of £5,175 per person.
Step 4: The Biometric Information (UKVCAS) Appointment
After submitting your online form, you will need to book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. At this appointment, you will provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph). You will also submit your supporting documents, which can either be uploaded online beforehand or scanned at the appointment.
Step 5: Waiting for Your Decision
- Standard Decision Time: You can typically expect a decision on your extension application within 8 weeks.
- Faster Decisions: In most cases, you can pay an additional fee for a ‘Priority’ or ‘Super Priority’ service to receive a decision much more quickly, often within a few working days.
- Staying in the UK: As long as you submitted your application before your previous visa expired, you can legally remain in the UK under the terms of your old visa while you await the new decision.
Crucial Warning: You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man while your extension application is being processed. Doing so will cause your application to be automatically withdrawn.
Don’t Forget Your Family: Extending Dependant Visas
This is a critical point that is often overlooked. Your partner and children’s visas do not automatically extend when you extend yours.
- Separate Applications Required: They must each submit their own separate dependant visa extension applications.
- Timing: They can apply at the same time as you (which is the most efficient method) or at any point before their own current visas expire.
How Our Experts Ensure a Seamless Visa Extension
An extension application is a vital step to secure your continued legal residence in the UK. A mistake or a late application can have serious consequences. Our specialist immigration service is designed to eliminate this risk.
- We manage the entire process, from advising on the best time to apply to submitting the final online form.
- We ensure your evidence of continued employment is presented correctly and persuasively.
- We coordinate your family’s applications to ensure everyone’s status is renewed together and without issue.
- We provide a stress-free experience, giving you the confidence and peace of mind to continue your life and career in the UK.
Secure your next five years in the UK. Contact our expert immigration team today for a comprehensive consultation on your UK Ancestry visa extension.
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.