Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Eligibility requirements
- Dependants (partner and children)
- Required documentation
- Applying from outside the United Kingdom
- Renewing or extending your visa
- Applying for indefinite leave to remain (settlement)
The UK Ancestry visa is a unique and highly advantageous immigration route for individuals who have a direct ancestral link to the United Kingdom. If one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, this visa could be your key to living and working in the UK with very few restrictions for a full five years, leading directly to permanent settlement.
This guide provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the UK Ancestry visa, from the core eligibility requirements to the application process and your rights in the UK. Our team of specialist immigration advisors has extensive experience in preparing successful Ancestry visa applications. We provide an expert, end-to-end service to help you prove your lineage and meet all the requirements, ensuring a smooth and successful journey to the UK.
The Key Advantages of a UK Ancestry Visa
The Ancestry visa is one of the most flexible and desirable long-term UK visas. Its key benefits include:
- Unrestricted Work Rights: You have complete freedom to work in the UK. You can be employed, self-employed, work full-time, part-time, or even undertake voluntary work without needing a sponsoring employer.
- A Direct Path to Settlement: This is a five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or permanent settlement. After completing five years in the UK, you can apply to stay permanently.
- Bring Your Family: You can bring your dependant partner and any children with you to the UK.
- Freedom to Study: You are also permitted to study in the UK.
Core Eligibility: Do You Qualify for a UK Ancestry Visa?
To be eligible, you must meet a specific set of criteria related to your nationality, your ancestry, and your ability to support yourself.
1. Nationality Requirement:
You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country. You can also apply if you are a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British national (overseas), or a citizen of Zimbabwe.
2. The Ancestry Link:
This is the heart of the application. You must be able to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
3. Other Key Requirements:
You must also be able to show that you are at least 17 years old, have enough money to support yourself and any dependants without needing public funds, and that you plan to work in the UK.
The Application Process, Costs, and Timelines
- When to Apply: You must apply for this visa from outside the UK. The earliest you can submit your application is 3 months before your intended travel date.
- Decision Timeline: You can typically expect to receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks. In many countries, a faster priority service is available for an additional fee.
- Application Costs:
- Visa Application Fee: The fee for a UK Ancestry visa is £682.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): You must also pay the mandatory IHS for the full five years of your visa. This is a significant cost, currently £1,035 per year, meaning a total upfront payment of £5,175 per applicant.
Your Life in the UK and the Path to Permanent Residence
Your UK Ancestry visa will be granted for a period of 5 years.
- Staying Longer: Towards the end of your initial five-year visa, you have two options:
- Apply to extend your Ancestry visa for a further five years.
- Apply to settle permanently in the UK by obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet the residence and other requirements.
Important Restrictions:
While the Ancestry visa is very flexible, there are two key restrictions:
- You cannot switch to this visa from another visa category from within the UK. You must apply from your home country.
- You cannot claim public funds (most benefits) in the UK.
Why Expert Guidance is Essential for Your Ancestry Application
While the concept of the Ancestry visa is straightforward, the application itself requires a high standard of documentary evidence. Proving your lineage through multiple generations with official, acceptable documents can be challenging.
Our expert immigration advisors specialise in Ancestry visa applications. We will:
- Conduct a full eligibility assessment to confirm you meet all the nationality, age, and financial requirements.
- Provide a detailed and precise checklist of the documents needed to prove your ancestry, including the specific birth, marriage, and death certificates required to create a clear and unbroken family tree.
- Meticulously review your financial evidence to ensure you meet the maintenance requirement.
- Manage the entire online application process, ensuring your case is presented flawlessly for a first-time success.
Unlock your heritage and begin your future in the UK. Contact our specialist UK Ancestry visa team today for a comprehensive consultation.
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.