UK Ancestry Visa
you may be eligible to apply for a UK Ancestry visa If you are a citizen of one of 56 Commonwealth countries and have at least one grandparent who was born in the UK. If your application is successful, you will be able to work and study in the UK with minimal restrictions for up to five years.
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Understanding the UK Ancestry Visa
Understanding the UK Ancestry Visa
If you have British ancestry and are considering moving to the UK, the UK Ancestry Visa could be your pathway to doing so. Eligible Commonwealth citizens with at least one grandparent born in the UK can apply for this type of visa.
Holders of the UK Ancestry Visa can also be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, upon fulfilling certain requirements. This enables them to become fully integrated members of British society, enjoy the privileges of UK residency, and potentially become British citizens.
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Eligibility Criteria for UK Ancestry Visa
Eligibility Criteria for UK Ancestry Visa
Securing a UK Ancestry Visa is a multi-step process that requires meeting certain visa requirements.
To qualify for the UK Ancestry visa, you must be at least 17 years old and belong to one of the following categories: Commonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas), or citizen of Zimbabwe.
You must also have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. However, to meet the specific criteria for the visa, you must show that you have the intention and ability to work in the UK.
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List of Eligible Commonwealth Countries
If you are a citizen of a Commonwealth country, you meet the initial requirement for being eligible for the UK Ancestry Visa. The list of eligible countries includes:
Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka.
Canada
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Europe: Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom
Oceania: Pacific, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Grandparent's Birthplace Requirements
To be eligible for this visa, at least one of your grandparents must have been born:
- In the United Kingdom, which includes the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man
- In what is now called The Republic of Ireland, before 31 March 1922
- on a British-registered ship or aircraft.
If your parent was adopted or if your parents or grandparents were unmarried, you may be still eligible for UK ancestry. It is crucial, however, to include evidence of legal adoption within the application. Note that ancestry claims cannot be made through step-parents.
Financial Self-Sufficiency
Prospective applicants for the UK Ancestry Visa should anticipate the need for financial independence and readiness to work in the UK. Key requirements include:
- There are no minimum financial requirements. However, you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family without reliance on public funds.
- To support your application, you can provide bank statements or a reliable sponsorship letter from a friend or family member in the UK.
Failing to demonstrate sufficient financial resources can lead to the refusal of your UK Ancestry Visa.
Application Process for UK Ancestry Visa
Application Process for UK Ancestry Visa
To apply for a UK visa, you need to complete an online form provided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which is a department of the Home Office responsible for handling visa applications in the UK.
It’s worth noting you cannot switch to Ancestry Visa while in the country of a different visa. Additionally, you’ll need to be outside the UK to be able to apply.
During the application, you’ll be asked to provide your identity and nationality documentation. Typically, this involves visiting a visa application centre (VAC) to have your photo and fingerprints taken.
Supporting Documents
To start the application process, you need to collect all the necessary documents and seek proper guidance. These include full birth certificates for you and the ancestors through whom ancestry is claimed, and if applicable, marriage certificates.
In cases of adoption, legal adoption papers must be provided to prove the lineage through the adopted parent or if you are adopted.
Additionally, you’ll need to prepare your current passport or another suitable travel document, evidence of plans to work in the UK, evidence to support dependants, and your marriage certificate or civil partnership document, if applicable. Each document serves as a stepping stone towards a successful visa application.
In addition to these, it’s essential to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. You can demonstrate this by providing valid bank statements, reliable offers of financial assistance, or a practical budget proposal. If there have been name changes for parents or grandparents since birth, official documents like marriage certificates or deed polls are needed to trace the lineage accurately.
Furthermore, if you’re from certain countries, your tuberculosis (TB) test results are also required as part of the health and safety regulations for entering the UK.
Application Fees and Additional Costs
The application fee for the British Ancestor visa is now £637. In addition, applicants must also pay a healthcare surcharge to gain the right to access NHS. A biometric residence permit (BRP) fee of £19.20 is also required.
If you need your UK Ancestry Visa to be processed faster, you have two options to choose from. You can pay extra for either the priority service or the super-priority service. The priority service guarantees a decision within 5 working days, while the super-priority service ensures a decision by the end of the next working day.
Processing Time and Decision
In most cases, the UK Ancestry Visa application processing time is about 3 weeks from the moment of submitting your biometric enrollment.
RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
Rights and Restrictions of UK Ancestry Visa Holders
Rights and Restrictions of UK Ancestry Visa Holders
If you possess a UK Ancestry Visa, you have the freedom to work in the UK without any limitations on the nature of your job, be it full-time or part-time.
Bear in mind that UK Ancestry Visa holders are not permitted to access public funds. Therefore, maintaining financial stability through your own means or through employment is crucial for upholding your visa status.
Dependants and Family Members
Dependants and Family Members
A dependant is defined as your partner (spouse, civil or unmarried partner) or your child under the age of 18. Dependants must apply for a UK visa online from outside the UK, provide biometric information, and potentially pay an additional fee for a faster decision on their application.
To bring your dependents to the UK, it is necessary for you, as the primary visa holder, to demonstrate that you can provide financial support and accommodation for them without relying on public funds. Additionally, evidence of your relationship with your dependents is required.
EXTENDING AND RENEWING
Extending and Renewing the UK Ancestry Visa
Extending and Renewing the UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry Visa can be extended indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. If you wish to stay beyond the initial 5-year period but are not yet ready or qualified to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you can still extend your visa.
To do so, you must apply online before your existing visa expires and include any dependent family members who are also applying. At the moment, the fee for extending an Ancestry visa is £1,048, which includes the NHS healthcare surcharge.
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After holding ILR for 12 months, applicants can apply for British citizenship. This step requires a demonstration of continued UK residence and adherence to all legal and financial obligations.
Fill in our contact form with a brief overview of your situation and we will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with our immigration law experts.
During your free consultation, we will provide guidance on how we can support you with your immigration needs. Once we have assessed your current situation and objectives, we will advise on the best course of action.
Once you have approved the quote, we will supply you with our full terms of business. After the terms have been agreed to, we will work closely with you (or on your behalf where appropriate) to achieve your immediate and long-term UK immigration goals.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British Citizenship
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British Citizenship
Ancestry Visa holders are eligible to apply for IRL after five years of residency in the UK. The key prerequisites are:
Applicants must have resided in the UK continuously for the preceding five years and should not have spent more than 180 days outside the country in any given year.
Proof of consistent employment or self-employment over a five-year period is required.
Applicants must pass both an English language test and Life in the UK test.
Applicants must provide additional evidence, such as birth and marriage certificates, to prove their eligibility.
Applicants must provide additional evidence, such as birth and marriage certificates, to prove their eligibility.
Applicants must demonstrate that they can appropriately accommodate themselves and any dependents and produce a complete financial evaluation confirming that their income matches the required level after all deductions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave the UK on an Ancestry visa?
You can leave the UK for no more than 180 days in any 12-month period to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain on an Ancestry visa.
Can you get married in the UK on an Ancestry visa?
Yes, you can get married in the UK on an Ancestry visa, but it won’t change the immigration status and you cannot sponsor a spouse visa until you have completed five years on your ancestry visa.
What is the ancestry spousal visa in the UK?
The Ancestry Dependant visa permits the spouse and children who are dependant on an Ancestry Visa holder to reside in or come to the UK.
Can dependants accompany UK Ancestry Visa holders to the UK?
Yes, spouses, civil or unmarried partners, and dependent children under 18 can accompany a UK Ancestry Visa holder to the UK.
