UK Ancestry Visa
Secure your future in the UK through your family heritage
The UK Ancestry visa is one of the most flexible UK immigration routes for Commonwealth citizens and other eligible nationals. It allows you to live, work, and study in the UK for up to five years, with the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.
If you are a Commonwealth citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British national (overseas), or a citizen of Zimbabwe, and you can prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or (before 31 March 1922) in Ireland, then this visa could be your route to long-term residence.
Who is eligible for a UK Ancestry visa
To qualify for the UK Ancestry visa, you must:
- Be 17 or over at the date of application.
- Prove your ancestral link through official documents.
- Hold an eligible nationality (Commonwealth, BOTC, BOC, BNO, or Zimbabwean).
- Show you can support yourself and your dependants without claiming public funds.
- Intend to work in the UK — this includes full-time, part-time, voluntary work, or self-employment.
- Have at least one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland before 31 March 1922.
Important:
Ancestry must be proven through a biological or legally adopted relationship. Step-grandparents or fostered relationships do not qualify.
Proving your ancestry – accepted documents
The Home Office requires robust documentary evidence to connect you to your UK-born grandparent.
This usually includes:
- Grandparent’s birth certificate (or equivalent record).
- Parent’s birth certificate showing the link to the grandparent.
- Applicant’s birth certificate linking you to your parent.
- Adoption certificates, deed polls, or marriage certificates where names or relationships have changed.
- Supplementary records such as consular registrations, church or hospital records, if standard documents are missing.
The Home Office accepts historical and certified records where official birth registrations are unavailable, but all must be properly verified.
Application process
You must apply for the UK Ancestry visa from outside the UK
The steps include:
- Complete the online application up to three months before your planned travel date.
- Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Book a biometric appointment at an approved Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- Provide fingerprints, photo, and supporting documents.
The application is then assessed by the Home Office.
Processing time: The Home Office aims to decide within 3 weeks for applications made overseas.
Visa conditions and what you can do
On an Ancestry visa, you are allowed to:
- Study in the UK.
- Travel freely in and out of the country.
- Bring your partner and children with you.
- Access the NHS healthcare system by paying the IHS.
- Live and work in the UK (full-time, part-time, voluntary, or self-employed).
You cannot:
- Claim public funds.
- Switch into the Ancestry route from another UK visa while already in the UK.
Bringing your family
Your dependants may apply with you or join later.
Eligible dependants include:
- Spouse or civil partner.
- Unmarried partner with proof of at least two years’ cohabitation.
- Children under 18, or over 18 if they are already dependants on your visa.
Dependants must each complete their own application, attend a biometric appointment, and provide evidence of relationship and financial support.
Settlement and British citizenship
After five years of continuous residence on an Ancestry visa, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
provided you:
- Have passed the Life in the UK test.
- Meet the English language requirement.
- Meet the Home Office’s good character requirement.
- Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK per year.
Once ILR is granted, you may apply for British citizenship after 12 months as a settled resident.
How LawSentis can help
Dependants: You may bring:
At LawSentis, regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), we specialise in complex ancestry-based cases
Our expert team provides
- Eligibility assessments to confirm your route.
- Ancestry verification to ensure documents are complete and valid.
- Financial planning guidance to meet maintenance rules.
- End-to-end application preparation and submission.
- Support for dependants and advice on future ILR and citizenship.
Final thoughts
The UK Ancestry visa offers a clear route for eligible nationals with UK heritage to live, work, and eventually settle in the UK. While requirements are strict, the opportunity it provides is significant for those able to prove their lineage.
At LawSentis, we ensure your application is accurate, well-documented, and strategically prepared. From the initial visa through to ILR and citizenship, we provide comprehensive, regulated support every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
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