UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa is for British overseas and commonwealth citizens and nationals who have a grandparent that was born in the UK (the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands). Holders of ancestry visas can work, study, live and can bring their family members (dependents) in UK for the first five years. After the completion of 5 years, the holders of Ancestry visa can apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) that is also known as permanent settlement.    

Services For UK Ancestry Migrants

As specialist UK Ancestry visa solicitors, we can provide fast, friendly and reliable fixed fee immigration advice and representations for the following applications for UK Ancestry Migrants:

Who is Eligible for the UK Ancestry Visa?  

The eligibility criteria of a UK ancestry visa are:  

• That the applicant must be aged 17 or above.   

• The application must possess the qualifying nationality and one of the grandparents must be born in the UK or (Isle of Man or Channel Islands).  

• The applicant has a plan to work in the UK.  

• Moreover, applicants must be able to satisfy and prove the financial requirement as per law.    

Key Benefits of the UK Ancestry Visa  

• The Ancestry Visa enables people to work without needing an employer sponsor who provides certificate of sponsorship.    

• The Ancestry Visa enables individuals to work as a self-employed/company director and to choose any profession to work in the UK.    

• Applicants with dependent family members such as spouses and children can join the main applicant to live in the UK. 

• Dependent partner would also be free to work in the same manner as the main applicant.   

• After spending five years as an Ancestry Visa holder within the UK entitles the applicant to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) which eventually leads to citizenship. After staying for one year under ILR status a person can apply for British citizenship.    

UK Ancestry Visa Eligibility Criteria   

Following is the eligibility criteria for UK Ancestry Visa:

Nationality Requirement   

The eligibility requirements for obtaining a UK Ancestry Visa extend to citizens of all the countries under Commonwealth nations which includes   

Cameroon, Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kenya,  Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Seychelles  Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, South  Africa, Zambia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, India,  Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Sri  Lanka, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Canada, Guyana,  Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines,  Cyprus, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Pacific, Australia,  Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga,  Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu.    

Also, Commonwealth citizens of the UK Ancestry Visa is also open to individuals who are:    

• British Overseas citizens    

• British Overseas Territories citizens    

• British Nationals (Overseas)    

• Citizens of Zimbabwe    

This visa allows diverse groups of people to apply who have British nationality statuses or national citizenships connected to the United Kingdom.    

Ancestry Grandparent Requirement

The grandparent requirement for UK Ancestry Visa applicants can be fulfilled by establishing:    

• at least one grandparent born in locations such as the United Kingdom or Ireland before 31st March 1922   

• On British-registered ships and aircraft or inherited by UK government.  

Also, if:   

• The adopted grandparents are accepted as eligible grandparents but step- grandparents are not eligible for this purpose.   

Work Requirement   

The UK Ancestry visa requires the applicant to have every intention to work in the UK.  However, it is not mandatory to provide a job offer letter to apply any such credible promises can be relied upon or a third-party support can be obtained to meet the requirement  

Financial Requirement   

There are no threshold to meet the financial requirements for a UK Ancestry Visa, but the applicant must show the evidence that they can be adequately maintained by providing their ability to work in the field of their skills, any credible promises which confirms that the applicant can be offered a job, third party to come forward and confirms that the applicant can be maintained by them.  

Documents Required for UK Ancestry Visa Application

The following are the documents required for the UK Ancestry Visa application:  

Proof of Identity & Ancestry (Grandparent Requirement Included)  

How to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa    

You must submit your application from outside the UK to apply for a UK Ancestry visa; switching to this visa from within the UK is not permitted.  However, permission to extend your stay in the country under the same category can be made if you have been granted last leave under the UK Ancestry route. You can apply for up to 3 months before your intended travel date. The decisions are typically made within 3 weeks for applications submitted from outside the UK.   

Step-by-Step Guide   

To apply for a UK Ancestry visa, do this:   

• Fill in the Online Application Form: Apply on the UK Visas and Immigration website before you travel to the UK.   

• Pay Visa Fees and Healthcare Surcharge: You may also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application and pay the relevant visa fee   

• Gather and Upload your Documents: Collect your documents, including your current passport, full birth certificate and the birth certificates of the parent and grandparent through whom you are claiming ancestry.    

• Book a Biometrics Appointment: As part of your application, book an appointment at a visa application center to give your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information).   Attend and comply with the biometric requirements. 

• Wait for a Decision: Once you have completed the above, you will get a decision within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK.    

Processing Time & Fast-Track Options   

As of Feb 2025, the standard processing time for a UK Ancestry visa application from outside the UK is 3 weeks. You can speed up the process by purchasing priority services:    

• Priority Visa Service: Decision within 5 working days cost £500.    

• Super Priority Visa Service: For those that need a quicker decision within 24 hours require a fee which is £1,000 subject to availability 

UK Ancestry Visa Costs & Additional Fees  

From February 2025 the UK Ancestry visa fees are as follows:    

Application Fee: The application fee for applying is £637.  

Healthcare Surcharge: You will pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when you  apply. This will give you access to the NHS while you are here. The standard IHS rate is £1,035 per year for an adult and £776 per year for a child. As the Ancestry visa is 5 years, the total surcharge would be £5,175 for adults and £3,880 for children.  

What You Can and Cannot Do on an Ancestry Visa UK

As a UK Ancestry visa holder, you can:    

Permitted activities   

• Work: You can work, become self-employed or company director or both, do voluntary work with no restrictions.  

• Study: You can study courses or programs.    

• Bring Family Members: Your partner and children can come or join you in the UK as dependents. However, there are some limits that need to be followed.    

Restrictions   

• Public Funds: You can’t access public funds.    

• Switching Visas: If you are already in the UK on a different visa you can’t switch to a UK Ancestry visa; applications must be made from outside the UK.  

Travel restrictions for ILR

• To get eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK you need to meet residency requirements and time spent outside the UK.   

• You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your qualifying residency. The day you are travelling out and the day you enter the UK will count as in-country.   

• There are some exceptions, i.e. absences for compelling or compassionate reasons, but these are decided on a case-by-case basis, and you need to provide full documentation to support your claim.    

Bringing Dependents (Family Members on a UK Ancestry Visa)  

Lets learn about family members and dependents on a Ancestry Visa UK:

Who is considered eligible as a dependent?   

Your partner and child can be included as dependents.    

Can dependents work in the UK?   

Yes, dependents can work without any restrictions.   

Can the dependents apply later?   

Yes, dependents can apply later. 

Extending or Renewing the Ancestry Visa   

• Extending or Renewing the Ancestry Visa: You can extend your UK Ancestry visa if you qualify for eligibility, and therefore it can be renewed for an indefinite period as well.    

• Extension Fee: The extension fee of the UK Ancestry Visa is £1,048.  The form will be FLR IR    

• Processing Time: The standard processing time is 8 weeks, but there’s an option for fast-tracking/priority service subject to availability.   

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) via Ancestry Visa UK   

For ILR following points should be kept in mind;

ILR Eligibility   

The UK ancestry visa can be applied after 5 years of continuous stay in the UK which means that you must spend no more than 180 days outside of UK each of the five years. To become a British citizen, you must spend 12 months in the UK after receiving ILR.   

Additional Requirements for ILR   

To be eligible for ILR you must:    

• Pass the knowledge and language and life in UK    

• You must meet the English language requirement (e.g. by having a CEFR English qualification with at least B1 level in speaking and listening).  

  ILR Application Process   

• How to Apply: You can apply for an Ancestry visa online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.    

• Processing Time: The processing time for a UK Ancestry visa is up to 6 months, also fast-track/super priority service options are available for fast processing.

British Citizenship After ILR   

British citizenship granted after an ILR of at least 12 months where you must meet certain requirements of residency having your own place to stay also you have to meet good character requirements where you must not have any criminal record.    

UK Ancestry Visa Refusal & How to Overcome It?  

Lets learn about common reasons for refusal and how you can overcome it.

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal   

Highlighting the common reasons for visa refusal:

Missing Documents

The common reasons for visa refusals are insufficient proof of ancestry where any of the relevant documents is missing such as missing any birth certificate which breaks the trail   

Inability to Establish Intent to Work   

Intention to work in the UK is one of the key requirements for the UK Ancestry visa.  Applicants are required to show evidence in terms of job offers, a full CV, or business proposals where the intention is to become self-employed. Inadequate proof of employment plans can lead to application refusal.    

Criminal Record Issues   

Applicants must not be misled into rejection under Part 9: refusal grounds, including  criminal convictions. It is important to declare the whole of the criminal history if any otherwise it could lead to visa refusal. Applications can be rejected on suitability grounds based on the severity and recency of the offenders.   

Wrong or Incomplete Application   

Submit an incomplete or inaccurate application, and there are great chances of rejection. Most common errors include missing documents, incorrect personal details, or failure to ensure any eligibility requirements. All the requirements for an application must be carefully reviewed before submission.   

What to Do if Your Ancestry Visa is Refused?   

If your UK Ancestry visa application has been refused there are several options to consider:   

1. Administrative Review   

If you think the refusal was due to a caseworker error, you can request an administrative review. This is where a different official will review your application to see if there was a mistake made during the initial decision.

Key points are:   

• Timeframe: You must apply within 28 days of the refusal decision.   

• Cost: £80 fee for an administrative review.   

• Process: The review will only look at the information and documents originally submitted; no new evidence can be added.   

2. Judicial Review   

If the administrative review upholds the decision and you believe there was a big legal mistake, a judicial review might be an option. This involves a court looking at the decision.

Considerations include:   

• Grounds: Judicial reviews apply where there is illegality, procedural impropriety or unreasonableness.  
• Timeframe: Must be applied for within 3 months of the decision being challenged.  
• Legal Assistance: should seek legal advice as judicial reviews are complex. 

3. Reapply with Stronger Evidence   

If you were refused due to not having enough evidence or documentation, you can reapply with a better application.

Here’s what to do:   

• Review the Refusal: Read the refusal letter to understand what was missing from your original application. 
• Get More Documentation: Provide more detailed evidence to address the issues raised, such as financial records, job offers or more proof of ancestry.  
• Get Professional Advice: Consulting with an immigration lawyer will help you strengthen your application and make sure you meet all the requirements. 

What Happens if the UK Ancestry Visa Discontinued?  

As of February 2025, there are plans to change the UK’s immigration policies, including the migration caps. But there is still no official word that the UK Ancestry visa will be scrapped. Downing Street has recently rejected the idea of a fixed immigration target and instead wants employers to make plans to train and hire British workers before recruiting mid skilled foreign worker.   

For Existing UK Ancestry Visa Holders 

Current visa holders can extend their visas and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The UK Ancestry visa allows you to stay in the UK for 5 years, after which you can apply for an extension or ILR if you meet the eligibility criteria.   

How Sunrise Solicitors Can Assist?   

Sunrise Solicitors provides full service for Ancestry Visa application for individuals looking to apply for UK Ancestry Visa and facing challenges. Our services include:  

 Initial Consultation & Assessment  

• Eligibility Check: Checking your eligibility for UK Ancestry Visa which is available to Commonwealth citizens with a UK born grandparent.  
• Personalised Advice: Advising you based on your individual circumstances to increase the chances of success.  

Document Review & Preparation  

• Document Support: Helping to gather and review all documents required by the Home Office including proof of ancestry and financial evidence.  
• Avoiding Refusals: Ensuring all documents are accurate and complete to avoid refusal of application.  

Application  

• Form Filling: Filling online application form on your behalf.   

• Home Office Liaison: Communicating with the Home Office on your behalf for any further information or clarification.   

Extensions & ILR  

• Ongoing Support: Assisting with extension and ILR applications after 5 years of the initial visa.   

• Strategic Planning: Advising on the best time and documentation required for extension and settlement applications.   

Admin Review & Refusals  

• Representation in Admin Review If an application is refused, representing you in Admin Review to challenge the decision.   

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Explore some FAQs:

How long can you be out of the UK on an Ancestry visa?  

No more than 180 days in any 12-month period for ILR eligibility.  

Do I need a job offer before applying?  

No, but you must show intent and ability to work in the UK.  

 Can I apply from inside the UK?  

No, you must apply from outside the UK unless you are applying for the extension under the same category.  

 What tier is the Ancestry visa?  

It is not part of the points-based system and has no tier.  

Can I bring my partner and children?  

Yes, they can apply as dependents.  

 What if I can’t find my grandparents’ birth certificate?  

You may provide alternative official documents as proof.  

 Can I be self-employed on this visa?  

Yes, you can work, be self-employed, or start a business.  

Our Fixed Fees For UK Ancestry Visa Applications