The UK Ancestry visa is a type of visa that allows individuals with ancestral ties to the United Kingdom to live, work, and study in the country. To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must demonstrate that they have at least one grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, and be a national of a Commonwealth country. The visa is granted for an initial period of five years, during which time the visa holder has the freedom to engage in employment or self-employment without any restrictions. This visa category is particularly beneficial for those seeking to explore their British heritage or pursue educational and professional opportunities in the UK. After residing in the UK for five years on an Ancestry visa, individuals may become eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship, subject to meeting specific criteria.

The Home Office has stringent requirements for applicants seeking to gain a UK Ancestry visa. While each applicant’s situation may differ slightly, the requirements can be summarised as follows:

• You meet the suitability requirements – good immigration history and acceptable criminal record.
• You must be a Commonwealth citizen.
• You must have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• You must be able to cover the costs of your accommodation and day-to-day living expenses without replying on government assistance. You can be supported by a family member or friend with this, but they need to provide assurance that this is a legitimate offer.
• You must be able to work, and intend to find a job or pursue self-employment in the UK.

Please note that the specific requirements for the UK Ancestry visa can vary and are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to get professional advice before starting your application.

At a minimum you will need to provide the following evidence as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise of any further documents you need to supply to enhance the quality of your application.

• Your passport
• Your full birth certificate
• The full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on, plus evidence of any name changes
• Bank statements to show you can support yourself
• Evidence of your intention to work in the UK, e.g. CV/business plan
• A valid TB certificate, if required

Yes, your family members (‘dependants’) might be able to apply to join or remain with you in the UK. Your dependants can include your partner and children under 18. Each dependant must apply separately and they must meet certain eligibility requirements. We can add dependents to your application for a fee of £250 per person.

The Ancestry visa application cost is £531. There is also an extra cost for the NHS health surcharge which is £624 per year. For a standard five-year Ancestry visa, this works out as an extra £3,120. You can opt to pay for priority service if you want to receive a faster decision on your application. Your lawyer will advise you of the total Home Office fees at the outset of our work with you, so you can ensure you have the funds available at the point of submitting your application. 

The processing time for a UK Skilled Worker Visa can vary. However, it typically takes around 3 weeks (15 working days) from the date you submit your application. Please note that processing times can be longer during peak periods or if additional documentation is required. The earliest you can apply for this type of visa is 3 months before you intend to travel to the UK.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist with your UK Ancestry visa application. This includes a free initial consultation, detailed advice for your personal immigration lawyer, evidence checklist and document collection, application preparation and submission, handling interactions with immigration authorities, and guidance on visa decision and next steps. We aim to make the visa application process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

If your UK Ancestry visa is refused, it could be due to various reasons, such as errors in the application form, misunderstanding Home Office guidelines, not providing enough evidence of your ancestral claim, not evidencing your intention to work, or applying at the wrong time.

If your application is refused, review the Refusal Notice from the Home Office which describes the reasons your application has been denied. Most importantly, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and increase your chances of success.