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Secure Your UK Ancestry Visa with Confidence
Applying for a UK Ancestry Visa? Why risk delays or refusals? Our expert solicitors specialise in ancestry applications, delivering a 96% approval rate.
If you need assistance with a UK Ancestry Visa, call us now at 020 3384 4389
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Worried About Securing Your UK Ancestry Visa? Get Help Now
No more confusion or wasted time. Tell us about your case, and we’ll provide an expert-backed, realistic plan to secure your UK visa.
The UK Ancestry Visa allows eligible Commonwealth citizens with a UK‑born grandparent to live, work, and study in the UK for five years. After this period, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship. You must apply from outside the UK to be considered.
- The Ancestral Visa UK grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK.
- After five years, you can apply for settled status or extend your visa.
- No job offer required before applying, ideal for eligible applicants.
- Public funds are not accessible, so you must show proof of financial support.
- You must provide clear evidence of your British ancestry, especially if tracing through grandparents, which can be challenging.
UK Ancestry Visa Key Points
UK Ancestry Visa Duration
The UK Ancestry Visa is initially granted for a period of five years. After this period, you have two options: you can either apply for an extension of your visa for another five years or, if you meet all the requirements, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants you permanent residency in the UK.
Application Routes to the UK Ancestry Visa
The primary application route for a UK Ancestry Visa is for Commonwealth citizens who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Applications are made from outside the UK. You cannot switch to this visa from within the UK. The process involves an online form, paying fees, and attending a biometrics appointment.
Requirements for UK Ancestry Visa Approval
To be eligible for a UK Ancestry Visa, you must be a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over. You must have a UK-born grandparent, or one born in Ireland before 1922. You need to prove you have funds to support yourself and intend to work. A TB test may also be required.
Documentation for Ancestry Visa UK
To begin your UK Ancestry Visa application, you will need a valid passport, your birth certificate, and your grandparents' birth certificates. You must also provide proof of your intent to work and sufficient funds. Depending on your circumstances, additional documents like a TB test or marriage certificates may be required.
All UK Ancestry Visa applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the NHS. The annual fee is £1,035 for adults and £776 for children under 18. This mandatory cost must be paid upfront for the full five-year visa period, ensuring you are covered for healthcare throughout your stay in the UK.
Additional costs for a UK Ancestry Visa extend beyond the application fee. You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) upfront for the entire 5-year visa duration. Other potential costs include priority service fees for faster processing, biometric enrollment fees, and the cost of a tuberculosis (TB) test if you are from a country where it is required.
The standard processing time for a UK Ancestry Visa is typically three weeks if you apply from outside the UK. You can pay extra for a priority service to get a faster decision, usually within 5 working days. For the fastest service, a super priority application can provide a decision by the end of the next working day.
With a UK Ancestry Visa, you can live, work, and study in the UK for five years. You can bring your family, but you cannot access public funds. After five years, you can apply for an extension or Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Benefits
Why Choose Our Experts for UK Ancestry Visas
Families worldwide trust us to secure their UK Ancestry Visa with professional, affordable, and effective solutions.
97.37%
Success Rate
37,573
Applications Approved
93.7%
Immigration Appeal Win Rate
4.9/5
Average Rating
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
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Success rate optimisation
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Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
UK Ancestry Visa Requirements
To be eligible for a UK Ancestry Visa, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants without relying on public assistance.
- Intend to seek employment in the UK.
- TB test certificate, if required.
- Be a Commonwealth national or hold one of these statuses:
- British Overseas Citizen
- British Overseas Territories Citizen
- British National (Overseas)
- Citizens of Zimbabwe
- In addition, you must meet one of the following ancestry conditions:
- Be a grandchild of a British, Channel Island, or Isle of Man resident.
- Have a grandparent born in Ireland before 31 March 1922.
- Have a grandparent born on a ship or aircraft registered in the UK.
You can also apply for a grandparent visa UK if you or your parent was adopted or born in the UK, either within or outside of marriage. However, ancestry links through step-parents do not count for this visa route.
Are you ready to trace your roots and start your UK journey? Apply now and turn your heritage into your future!
Do You Know?
In the 12 months ending September 2024, the UK received nearly 95,635 family-related visa applications, representing a 31% increase year over year, with 86,942 grants issued. This trend underscores the increasing use of family migration routes like the Ancestry Visa.
Supporting Documents for Ancestry Visa UK
If you’re looking to eventually secure UK citizenship by ancestry, applying for the UK Ancestry Visa is a key first step. To begin your journey, you’ll need to prepare the following documents:
- A valid passport or an acceptable travel identification document.
- Your complete birth certificate.
- The full birth certificate of the grandparent you’re claiming ancestry through.
- Proof that you intend to work in the UK; this can be a job offer or a detailed business plan if you’re aiming to be self-employed.
- Recent bank statements confirm that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
Depending on your individual situation, you might also need:
- TB test results, if you’re applying from a country where tuberculosis testing is mandatory.
- Evidence of your relationship with your partner/spouse and children, if they will accompany you.
- Marriage certificates of your parents and grandparents, if applicable.
- Adoption documents, if you or your parents were adopted.
- Legal documentation showing any name changes for your parents or grandparents.
Keep in mind: further documentation may be necessary based on your circumstances. If you’re applying with the help of the UK Immigration Solicitors, they will guide you through the specific requirements for your case.
UK Ancestry Visa Cost & Processing Time
Fee Type | Amount |
UK Ancestry Visa Application Fee | £682 |
NHS Healthcare Surcharge – Adult | £1,035 per year |
NHS Healthcare Surcharge – Under 18 | £776 per year |
Document Translation (if required) | Varies depending on the service |
You have three months prior to your trip to apply for a UK Ancestry visa. When applying for a UK Ancestry visa from outside the UK, you can expect to hear back within three weeks.
Pro Tip:
Opting for Priority or Super Priority services can significantly speed up your UK Ancestry Visa decision, sometimes as fast as 5 working days or even 1 working day. However, these premium options come with extra fees and are subject to availability.
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Extending a UK Ancestry Visa
Your application for entry clearance through the UK ancestry route should be approved for a five-year period of leave. You will be able to apply for a five-year extension of your visa from inside the UK once that period ends. In order to apply for an extension of a UK ancestry visa, you need to prove that:
- You are currently employed in the UK or have been making genuine efforts to find employment.
- You have consistently supported and housed yourself and any dependants without relying on public funds, and are able to continue doing so.
- There are no other general reasons under immigration rules that would warrant a refusal of your application.
Applicants seeking to extend their UK Ancestry visas are not required to provide evidence of continuous employment or self-employment throughout their initial five-year stay in the UK.
However, they must demonstrate that they are able to work and intend to seek and take employment. If you can prove that you are actively seeking employment, your application for a stay extension in the UK may be approved, regardless of your existing employment status.
How to Apply for an Extension?
- Apply online before your current visa expires.
- You’ll need to upload or scan your supporting documents.
- You must also visit a UKVCAS(UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) center to provide your fingerprints and photo again (biometrics).
You and your dependants will need to gather supporting documents and schedule a visit to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to re-enroll your biometric information in order to apply for an extension of stay through this route.
During your meeting with UKVCAS, you will have the option to scan any supporting papers or upload them to the online service.
What Happens After You Apply for an Ancestry Visa Extension?
- UKVI usually gives a decision within eight weeks.
- During this time, you cannot leave the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man.
- If you leave this area, your application will be withdrawn.
- You can choose to pay for a faster decision if needed.
Do you know?
Failure to extend on time may lead to overstaying, which constitutes a criminal offence under Section 24 of the Immigration Act 1971. If you overstay by more than 30 days, you may face a mandatory re-entry ban of one to ten years, depending on how and when you leave the country
Path to ILR Through UK Ancestry Visa
Applicants who have been in the UK for five years on an Ancestry visa may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
You need to meet all of the following requirements to qualify:
- You have not spent more than 180 days outside of the UK in any 12-month period during your five-year stay on this visa.
- Having enough money to support yourself and your family.
- You can and intend to work in the UK.
- You remain a citizen of a qualifying Commonwealth (or other) country.
- If you’re 18–64, you meet the English language requirements.
- If you’re 18–64, you passed the Life in the UK test.
If you want to remain in the UK permanently without ever having to reapply for your status, indefinite leave to remain is the way to go. You will also have access to public funding and be eligible to receive benefits. If you have been in the UK for a year and have indefinite leave to stay, you might be able to apply for British citizenship.
The application fee for indefinite leave to remain is £3,029. You can apply 28 days before your five-year period ends.
You can submit your application online at gov.uk.
Common Reasons for Ancestry Visa Refusal
Here are some of the most common reasons for refusal:
- You’re not a citizen of a qualifying Commonwealth country.
- You haven’t shown that you’re genuinely looking for work in the UK.
- Also, you’re unable to provide valid evidence of a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland (before 31 March 1922).
- You haven’t demonstrated that you can support yourself financially without public funds.
- The form is incomplete or contains incorrect information.
- Required documentation is either not submitted or doesn’t meet Home Office standards.
- You didn’t provide additional information when requested during the review process.
What to Do If Your UK Ancestry Visa Is Refused?
There’s no automatic right of appeal if your Ancestry Visa is rejected, unless the refusal involved a clear mistake.
In such cases, you may be eligible to request an administrative review if you strongly believe the decision was made in error and your application met all the criteria.
UK Ancestry Visa FAQs
Yes, the UK has an Ancestry Visa, which permits Commonwealth residents with a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man to stay and work in the country for up to five years.
Ancestry Visa UK does not specify a minimum amount of money. However, you must demonstrate that you can afford to live in the UK without worrying about your family’s financial situation.
Yes. It is possible to become a British citizen via the UK Ancestry Visa, but only after you meet specific requirements.
When you apply for an Ancestral Visa from outside the UK, you will get the decision within three weeks.
Individuals having a grandmother born in the UK benefit greatly from the British Ancestry Visa, which allows them to live, work, and study in the country for the first five years. Additionally, it permits the application to include dependants (spouse and children) and offers a route to British citizenship.
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