Ancestry Visa

How To Apply For UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa permits Commonwealth citizens who are direct descendants of UK residents to live and work in the United Kingdom. Many Pakistanis, Indians, New Zealanders, Australians, South Africans, and Canadians have British ancestors. Even though they have the proverbial jackpot of British citizenship, many people never take advantage of their ancestral rights.


What is the UK Ancestry Visa?

The UK Ancestry Visa is a subcategory of the UK Family Visa. It allows Commonwealth nationals having at least one grandparent born in the United Kingdom to come to the UK. The visa is valid for 5 years and allows you to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom.

After 5 years, you may apply for an Ancestry Visa extension or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows you to apply for British Citizenship.


UK Ancestry Visa Eligibility Requirements

Although US residents are not eligible for this visa, if you are a Commonwealth citizen residing in the United States, you may be able to apply for the UK Ancestry Visa. There are several additional eligibility requirements for the Ancestry Visa, in addition to being a Commonwealth Citizen.

These requirements are as follows:


Being 17 years old or older
Having a British grandparent born in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
Working in the UK or planning to work in the UK
Being able to sustain oneself financially in the UK without relying on the public funds

It's worth mentioning that whether you or a parent were adopted, or if your parents or grandparents were married, you may still apply for this visa. Step-parents, on the other hand, are not eligible to claim UK ancestry.

If your grandparent was born in the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922, or if they were born on a ship or aircraft registered in the UK or controlled by the UK government, you may apply for this visa.


Application Process

The earliest you may apply for an Ancestry Visa is three months before your planned trip to the United Kingdom. You must additionally apply for entry clearance on this visa before entering the UK, and you must do so from outside the UK.

Fill out the online application form on the Gov UK website to submit your application to the Home Office. You will also need to schedule an appointment at a visa application centre in the country you are residing.

This appointment is to confirm your identity. Your biometric information, which includes your picture and fingerprints, will be captured during the procedure. You may also need to bring your passport and other important documents.


How To Prove Your Ancestry

Because you are applying as the relative of a British person for this visa, you must show detailed evidence of your relationship with your relative who was born in the UK.

To do this, you will be expected to provide the birth certificates of the parent and grandparent that your claim for ancestry is based on.

You may also need to provide some other documents, depending on your specific circumstances. These could include:


Evidence that your parents or grandparents have changed their name since birth, for example, marriage or civil partnership certificates or a deed poll.
Legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted

Required Documents

There are many additional types of documents that you will need to apply for this visa, in addition to proving your relationship with your British relative who was born in the UK. Your documents will form part of a portfolio of evidence that will be used to support your application for a UK Ancestry Visa.

You will be required to provide the following documents:


Your current passport, or another valid kind of travel document, with at least one blank page for your visa.
Your birth certificate in its entirety
Evidence showing you intend to work in the UK, such as evidence of a job offer or a business plan if you want to be self-employed.
Proof of your ability to support yourself and any family members while in the UK, such as a bank statement, but they must be dated within 31 days of when you submit your application.
If you are coming from a country where TB testing is required, you may additionally need to provide a copy of your test results.
You'll need to bring your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration if you're bringing a partner.

Family Members

The Ancestry Visa allows you to bring your family to the UK with you. The following family members are considered dependents:


Your partner
Your child who is under the age of 18
Your child who was previously on your or your partner's visa as a dependant and is now above the age of 18

To join you in the UK, each dependant must submit their own application. They may apply online but must also have their biometric information collected at a visa application centre.

If your spouse or children are currently in the UK on a visa that allows them to switch, they may be able to apply from inside the UK.

To bring your partner with you, you must prove that you are either married or in a civil partnership recognised in the United Kingdom or that you have been in a relationship for at least two years and have lived together.


How Much Does The UK Ancestry Visa Cost?

A £516 fee is required to apply for entry clearance with a UK ancestry visa.

In addition to the visa application cost, you will be required to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application in order to be eligible to use the National Health Service after you arrive in the United Kingdom.

The IHS will be determined based on the amount of leave granted, which is usually £624 per year.


Advantages of a UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa has many advantages. The main benefit is that it provides an excellent route to acquiring Indefinite Leave to Remain and, eventually, British Citizenship. The requirements are not demanding, and your entry into the UK for this visa is entirely based on family ties. The following are some of the additional advantages:


You are free to work and reside in the United Kingdom.
It is not necessary to have a work visa or a sponsor.
Unlike the Investor or Entrepreneur categories, there is no requirement that you invest any money in the UK.
During your stay in the UK, there are no limitations on the kind of work you can do.
Joining you in the UK may benefit your spouse, civil or unmarried partner, and dependent children.

*These prices are subject to change in the future.

Book a free consultation

Your information has been saved.
Looks like we're having trouble