UK Ancestry visa

1. Who can apply?

You can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if you’re one of the following:

• a British overseas citizen
• a British overseas territories citizen
• a British national (overseas)
• a Commonwealth citizen
• a citizen of Zimbabwe

You must prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and meet the eligibility requirements.

These requirements include:

• being aged 17 years or over
• having a British grandparent who was born in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of 
 Man
• planning to work or able to work in the UK
• being able to support yourself financially whilst living in the UK and not relying on 
 government assistance

It’s important to remember that if your parents or grandparents were married, or if you were adopted, you may still apply for this visa. Nevertheless, you are unable to claim your stepparents’ UK ancestry.

If your grandparent was born in the Republic of Ireland prior to March 31, 1922, or if they were born on a ship or aircraft registered in the United Kingdom or held by the United Kingdom government, you may also be eligible to apply for this visa.

2. Applying process

Three months before your planned departure to the UK, is the earliest date you can apply for an Ancestry Visa. To obtain entry clearance for this visa, you must apply from outside of the UK, from your place of residence, before you enter the country.

By completing the online application form found on the Gov UK website, you can send your application to the Home Office. You must schedule an appointment at a UK visa application facility, or one in your home country, in addition to applying.

This appointment is to prove your identity. During it you will have your biometric information taken, this is your photograph and fingerprints. You may also need to take your passport and some other documents with you.

3. Proving your ancestry

You must provide detailed proof of your relationship with your UK-born relative in order to obtain this visa because you are applying on behalf of a relative who is a British national.

You will be expected to provide the birth certificates of the parent and grandparent that your claim for ancestry is based on.

You may also need to provide some other documents, which could include:

• marriage or civil partnership documents or a deed poll – these documents might serve as proof that your parents or grandparents have changed their name since you were born
• legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted

4. Required documents

As well as providing documents to prove your relationship with your British relative who was born in the UK, there are many other types of documents that you will need to apply for this visa. Your documents will make up a portfolio of evidence to support your application and are a vital part of the application for a UK Ancestry Visa.

Documents that you will be required to provide include:

• your valid travel document or your current passport, with at least one page left blank for your visa
• your full birth certificate
• evidence that you plan to work in the UK, this could be proof of an offer of employment in the UK that you’ve received or a business plan if you intend to be self-employed
• proof that you can support yourself and any family members whilst in the UK, this can include bank statements (must be dated within 31 days of when you submit your application)
• you may also need to submit a copy of your tuberculosis test results if you are coming from a country where you are required to take a test
• if you plan on bringing a partner with you, you will need to provide your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration

5. Family members

The Ancestry Visa allows you to bring dependents with you to the UK. The family members that count as dependents include:

• your partner;
• your child under 18;
• your child aged 18 or over who was previously on your or your partner’s visa as a dependent.

Each family member will need to make their application to join you in the UK. They can apply online and will also be required to have their biometric information taken at a visa application centre.

Your partner or children may be able to apply from within the UK if they are already here on a visa that is eligible to switch from.

To bring your partner with you, you will need to prove that you are either in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognized in the UK or that you have been in a relationship and living together for at least two years.

6. How long it will take?

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

7. Fees

A UK Ancestry visa costs £637. You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

8. How long you can stay?

You are allowed to live, work, and study in the UK for five years.

After five years, you can apply for an extension of your Ancestry Visa or for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows you to live and work in the UK and opens up the option of seeking British citizenship.

9. What you can and cannot do?

With a UK Ancestry visa, you can:

• work
• study
• bring your child or partner

You can work:

• full-time or part-time
• paid or voluntary
• in self-employment or be employed by someone else

You cannot:

• get public funds
• change (‘switch’) into this visa if you came to the UK on a different visa

10. How our company will help?

For advice or assistance with your Ancestry Visa application, contact BS Immigration today. Our expert immigration advisers can advise you on your application for an Ancestral Visa UK. They will discuss with you to ensure that your heritage makes you eligible to apply and assess your documentation to confirm that it is suitable.

Our immigration advisers will take care of:

• filling out and submitting an application form
• assistance with collecting and receiving documents

And also we are with you at every stage to suggest how to act in a particular situation.