Commonwealth citizens having ancestral ties to the UK can migrate to live and work in the UK under the UK ancestry visa category. The candidate applying under this ancestry visa scheme must have one or more grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Applicants whose grandparent was born in the Republic of Ireland before March 1922 are also eligible under this category. It is immaterial if the grandparent is alive or deceased. This facility is also available to those applicants whose parent was adopted by a UK citizen. A valid proof of their adoption or birth would have to be provided for the UK ancestry visa or British Ancestry Visa application

Eligibility Criteria for UK Ancestry Visa

1. Applicants must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country - irrespective of how citizenship was acquired or British National Overseas, British overseas citizen or British overseas territories citizen or a citizen of Zimbabwe
2. UK ancestry visa applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age
3. One of the Grandparents of the applicant must have born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or a grandparent born in the Republic of Ireland on or before 31st March 1922
4. Once arrived in the UK, the applicants must have the intention of undertaking employment
5. Applicants must support themselves and the dependents, if any, without recourse to public funds whilst in the UK
6. Applicants must have adequate accommodation to live whilst in the UK

The Ancestry visa is initially granted for a period of 5 years. Thereafter, the visa holder can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK and even UK citizenship. To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, the applicant should continue to meet all the essential requirements of the UK Ancestry visa and prove that they have continually spent the 5-year period in the UK.  Besides, they should have been on regular employment during this time, and that they must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK during each year of the 5 years.

Employment option under UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa holders are free to take up any employment without any restrictions and do not require a work permit. Therefore, they must seek and intend to undertake employment whilst in the UK in order to support themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.

Dependents

Spouses and unmarried partners of the UK Ancestry visa holders are issued with an Ancestry Dependency visa and are allowed the same benefits as the principal applicant.

Extending the UK Ancestry Visa

Any applicants who have been issued the Ancestry Visa before April 2006 are having a visa that is valid only for 4 years. Such visa holders are permitted to apply for a 1-year extension and thereafter they are eligible to apply for ILR.  After remaining on ILR for 12 months they are entitled to apply for naturalisation or British citizenship. In any other case, you can apply for ILR after being in the UK for 5 Years.

Benefits of a UK Ancestry Visa

• Entry into the UK for this visa is based solely on family connections.
• Successful UK ancestry visa applicants can work and live in the UK without restriction and without any prior offer of employment.
• No requirement for a work permit or sponsor.
• Applicants are not required to invest any finances in the UK as in the case of an investor visa.
• No restrictions on the type of employment during their stay in the UK.
• There is an opportunity to become a UK citizen through British naturalisation. This British Ancestry Visa serves as a good route to permanent settlement in the UK.

If you are unable to qualify under this category, then you should also check if you are eligible for Right of Abode.

Why Choose Us for UK Ancestry Visa application?

• You pay a Fixed Fee
• You Receive advice from our experienced caseworkers
• We provide our clients with unlimited meetings and support
• We provide our clients with unlimited phone calls
• We advise you on the procedure, requirements, and merits of making an application to the UKBA/British Diplomatic post
• We keep our clients updated with new rules and procedure and act in their best interest
• We draft representations in support of your immigration matter explaining your circumstances in detail and proving how you satisfy the requirements of Immigration Rules
• We advise and represent our clients’ dependants to seek dependent visas in line with the visa of the main applicant.
• We lodge appeals and prepare administrative reviews
• We advise you on the future applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship for those who will complete required number of years in the UK
• We answer your queries even after your application has been submitted and approved on what you are required to do next

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I apply for ancestry visa if I do not have my grandparents birth certificate?

Birth certificate is required to prove that your grandparent was born in the UK. You may be able to obtain a copy of the same from the birth and death register office

Is there a maximum age that I can apply for Ancestry visa?

There is no maximum age to apply for the Ancestry Visa, however you need to be 17 years or over to apply for the Ancestry Visa

If my grandparent is a British Citizen by descent can I still apply for Ancestry visa?

If your grandparent was not born in the UK or a UK army base to be considered for the Ancestry Visa

Do I need to take a tuberculosis test?

Yes, if you have been residing for 6 months or more in a country listed under Appendix T then you need get a TB test certificate

Do I need to be a commonwealth citizen?

You can only apply for an Ancestry visa if you are a commonwealth citizen, British national overseas or British Overseas Territories citizen, BNO, or a citizen of Zimbabwe

What evidence do I need to provide to show I can maintain and accommodate myself?

You can provide your bank statements for 31 days before you apply to prove that you can support yourself. You can also provide credible promise from third party for support