UK Ancestry Visa Guidance

What is the UK Ancestry Visa?

The UK Ancestry Visa allows Commonwealth citizens whose grandparents were born in the UK or Islands to reside and work in the UK.

With an Ancestry Visa, individuals can stay in the UK for 5 years, after which individuals may be able to either extend the visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain. Individuals will be able to bring their dependent family members with them.

UK Ancestry Visa eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be a Commonwealth citizen.
• Be able to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• Be able to financially support and accommodate yourself and any dependents while in the UK without needing to claim public funds.
• Plan to work in the UK.

You must also show that one of your grandparents was either:

• Born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• Born before 31 March 1922 in Ireland.
• Born on a ship or aircraft that was either registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government.

If either you or your parent were adopted, or if your parents or grandparents were not married, you will be eligible to claim ancestry.

Required documents

When you apply for a UK Ancestry Visa, you will be required to provide:

• A current passport or another valid travel document.
• Your full birth certificate.
• The birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on.
• Evidence to show that you intend to work in the UK (i.e. job offers or a business plan).
• Evidence to show that you can financially support yourself in the UK (i.e. bank statements).

You may be required to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

UK Ancestry Visa Application Process

How to apply for the UK Ancestry Visa

To apply for the UK Ancestry Visa, you must submit an online application prior to travelling to the UK. The earliest you can apply for an Ancestry Visa is 3 months before you travel to the UK.

As part of the application process, you will be required to attend an appointment at a visa application centre in order to prove your identity by providing your biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph).

How long is a UK Ancestry Visa valid?

A UK Ancestry Visa is valid for 5 years. If you wish to remain in the UK you must either apply to extend your Ancestry Visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain.

How much does a UK Ancestry Visa cost?

A UK Ancestry Visa costs £637. However, as part of the application process, you will be required to pay the immigration health surcharge which is £624 per year.

- Correct at the time of writing - 4th October 2023.

How long does it take to receive a decision?

You should receive a decision within 3 weeks. However, depending on availability and eligibility you may be able to pay to receive a faster decision.

Can I extend my Ancestry Visa?

Yes, you can extend the Ancestry Visa as many times as you like providing that you still meet the eligibility requirements. 

It is important to note that once you have lived in the UK for 5 years on an Ancestry Visa, then you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain which is a form of permanent settlement. Once you have held indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months, you will be able to apply for British citizenship.