The UK Ancestry Visa is designed for Commonwealth and British Overseas citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. This visa allows them to live, work, and study in the UK.
If you are considering applying for a UK Ancestry Visa, you can contact us by calling 0333 0124 253 or by completing our enquiry form. Our immigration experts can assist you in discussing your UK Ancestry Visa application and provide guidance throughout the process.
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Malawi
Mauritius
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Nigeria
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
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Saint Lucia
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St Vincent and The Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Cyprus
Malta
United Kingdom
Pacific
Australia
Fiji
Kiribati
Nauru
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
To qualify for a UK Ancestry visa, you must demonstrate that at least one of your grandparents meets one of the following requirements:
It’s also important to note that you can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if you or your parents (through whom you are claiming ancestry) are adopted. In such cases, you must provide evidence of legal adoption with your application. However, you cannot apply for a UK Ancestry visa through step-parents.
There is no specific financial requirement for the UK Ancestry visa, but you must be able to demonstrate that you have the means to support and accommodate yourself and any family members accompanying you without relying on public funds.
With a UK Ancestry visa, you have the option to bring your eligible family members with you to the UK. Dependents, as defined by UK immigration rules, typically include your partner or spouse and children who are under the age of 18. These family members can apply as dependents on your UK Ancestry visa application.
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On a UK Ancestry Visa, you have the freedom to:
However, there are certain things you cannot do on a UK Ancestry Visa:
To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after holding a UK Ancestry Visa, you typically need to prove that you have been in the UK for 5 continuous years. During this 5-year period, you should not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any year. Continuous residence is an essential requirement for ILR, and prolonged absences can impact your eligibility. Additionally, it’s important to maintain your genuine intention to work while in the UK to meet the visa requirements. Large amounts of time spent outside the UK could raise questions about your commitment to working in the country.
If you want to stay in the UK on a UK Ancestry Visa beyond the initial 5-year period, you can apply online to renew or extend your visa before it expires. This extension can be done as many times as needed, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. It’s important to apply for an extension before your current visa expires.
When extending your UK Ancestry Visa, you should also consider including your dependant family members if they are applying to remain in the UK with you. Additionally, you will need to pay the relevant visa fee and the NHS healthcare surcharge when submitting your application for an extension.
After holding a UK Ancestry Visa for 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR is not automatically granted, and you need to submit a full ILR application. After receiving ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after spending at least 12 months in the UK.
When applying for ILR, you’ll need to demonstrate your eligibility, which includes having sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents, a genuine intention to work in the UK, maintaining your Commonwealth citizenship, passing the Knowledge of language and life in the UK test, and meeting the English language requirement, such as having a CEFR English qualification with at least level B1 in speaking and listening.
If your UK Ancestry visa application is refused, you have several options:
Seeking the guidance of an immigration lawyer, like those from Push Legal Services, can be very helpful in understanding the best course of action and increasing the chances of a successful application.
Contact our immigration lawyers on 0333 0124 253 or by email at enquiries@pushlegalservices.co.uk.
