UK Ancestry Visa
UK ANCESTRY VISA
UK Ancestry visa is only issued to Commonwealth Citizens
To apply for a UK ancestry visa you need to apply from outside of the UK via the approved Home Office online visa portal
IF YOU NEED TO EXTEND THIS VISA, YOU CAN FROM WITHIN THE UK
You will need to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK and you will work in the UK if your visa application is successful.
You will have to provide other evidence to meet the entry visa requirements and if you are unsure what to do, please contact us.
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UK Ancestry Guidelines
Understanding the guidelines to applying for a UK Ancestry Visa.
To apply under this visa type, you need to decide which of these apply to your grandparent:
- Born in the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man or
- born before 31 March 1922 in what is now the Republic of Ireland or
- Born on a British-registered ship or aircraft
You may be able to apply for this visa type if:
- either you or the relevant parent was adopted or
- either you or the relevant parent born within or outside marriage in the UK.
Note: You cannot claim UK Ancestry through step-parents.
What ages do I need to be to apply?
To apply for ancestry visa, you must be 17 years of age or older.
Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
Yes you can if the family member is your partner (partner could be spouse, unmarried partner, same-sex partner), children (includes adopted children) must be aged between 0-17 years of age.
If you have a person that heavily relies on you such as an elderly person or a person with a disability, they may be granted permission.
All these cases will need to be reviewed based on your original supportive evidence.
How long can I stay and any family members in the UK?
You can stay for 5 years under an ancestry visa with an option to extend if you decide not to apply for settlement status.
What ages do I need to be to apply?
To apply for ancestry visa, you must be 17 years of age or older.
UK Ancestry Documentation
What documents do I need to provide and what are my rights once in the UK and can I extend this visa or apply for settlement?
Documentation Guidance
Whether you apply alone or you have family members wanting to join you in the UK, the following covers both:
- birth certificates of people applying to enter the UK
- parent or grandparent birth certificate you are claiming UK ancestry on.
- marriage certificates or civil partnership of the parents and grandparents you want to demonstrate as your evidence for ancestry.
- adoption legal evidence if adopted.
- evidence that you plan to work in the UK or set up your own UK business.
Depending on your, and any family members, unique circumstances, it is very likely that you will need to provide other original or certified supportive documents and these documents are likely to depend on your nationality, where you currently live and other conditions you might have to meet.
What type of work can I do once in the UK?
You can accept employment from a UK employer or start up your own business as self-employed or as a director of a limited business. Your family members can also take UK employment, be self-employed or be a director of a limited business.
Settlement or extending UK Ancestry visa?
You can extend your UK ancestry visa once the 5 year visa is about to expire under FLR(IR). Most people would apply for settlement status once they have been in the UK for 5 years under SET(O), but if you and any family member prefer just to extend your current visa, you can for a further 5 years.
Public Funds
Am I permitted to claim public funds whilst under the UK Ancestry Visa?
No, you are not permitted, but you can claim public funds once you have obtained UK settlement status.
Check out the Home Office website.
UK Ancestry Documentation
Can I extend this visa after 5 years in the UK?
The Home Office issues the UK Ancestry visa for a 5 year period. If you decide not to apply for settlement after 5 years, you can apply to extend this visa for a further 5 years.
Family Members
If family members entered the UK as your dependants, they are also permitted to apply to extend as long as they can demonstrate they are still your partner or children still dependant on you.
Most people under this visa apply for settlement within 28 days of the 5 years in the UK and once settlement is approved, 12 months later apply for naturalisation.
Life in the UK Test & English
Many people want to apply for settlement but struggle to pass the Life in the UK Test. So, if taking this test becomes a struggle, you can remain in the UK under the UK Ancestry immigration rules. If you are not from an English speaking country, you will need to take the B1 Level English test.
Learn how to settle and become British in the UK
Settlement
You can settle in the UK, also known as indefinite leave to remain once you meet the qualifying period
Naturalisation
You can apply for naturalisation that leads to British passport normally after 1 year on your settlement visa.
British Passport
Once you've obtained your ceremony certificate once naturalised, learn how to obtain your first British passport.
Is my information safe with G4I?
Any information provided to us is not used outside of your enquiry. If you do not become a client of G4I, we will delete any information.
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You can request a free 30 minute consultation to assess your situation between the hours of 9.30 am and 5.30 pm Monday to Friday.
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