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Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry visa caters to Commonwealth citizens or nationals of British Overseas Territories who have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Eligible individuals may live, work, and study in the UK with this visa and are also permitted to bring dependent family members. The visa is valid for a 5-year period, after which holders have the option to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent settlement.

Criteria for Eligibility for the UK Ancestry Visa

To be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa, applicants must:

  • Be 17 years of age or older.
  • Be a citizen of the Commonwealth, a British Overseas territory, a British National (Overseas), or a national of Zimbabwe.
  • Apply from outside the UK.
  • Provide proof that they have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
  • Have the intention to seek employment in the UK.
  • Prove they have enough funds to support themselves and any dependents without access to public funds.

UK Ancestry Visa: Commonwealth Countries

The Commonwealth is comprised of the following nations:

In Africa:

  • Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia.

In Asia:

  • Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka.

In the Caribbean and Americas:

  • Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.

In Europe:

  • Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom.

In the Pacific:

  • Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Grandparent Requirement for the UK Ancestry Visa

To be eligible for the UK Ancestry Visa, applicants must prove that they have at least one grandparent who was born:

  • In the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
  • On a British-registered aircraft or ship.
  • Before March 31, 1922, in what is currently the Republic of Ireland.

Applicants can also qualify if they, or their parent through whom the ancestry is claimed, were legally adopted. It is important to note that ancestry claims based on step-parents are not valid for the UK Ancestry visa application.

Financial Requirement for the UK Ancestry Visa

The Home Office does not mandate a specific amount of funds for UK Ancestry visa applicants. Applicants must, however, prove they can financially support themselves and any dependents. They need to demonstrate the capacity to afford living costs and housing in the UK without the need for public funds.

Dependents of UK Ancestry Visa Holders

UK immigration rules allow those with an Ancestry visa to bring their eligible dependents to the UK. Dependents are defined as the partner or children under 18 years of age of the main applicant. These family members are allowed to live in the UK with the primary visa holder.

Necessary Documentation for the UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry visa application requires several documents to substantiate the applicant’s claim. The exact documents needed may vary, but typically include:

  • A valid passport or other travel documents.
  • A full birth certificate.
  • The birth certificates of the applicant’s parent and grandparent, which the UK Ancestry visa claim is based on.
  • Proof of intention to work in the UK, which could be a job offer or a business plan if self-employed.
  • Financial evidence, such as recent bank statements (no older than 31 days from the application date), to support yourself and any dependents in the UK.
  • Legal documents for any name changes of the applicant’s parents or grandparents, such as marriage certificates or legal name change documents (deed polls).
  • Adoption papers if claiming ancestry through adopted parents.
  • A TB test certificate, if required based on the applicant’s country of residence.
  • Marriage certificate or civil partnership documentation for accompanying spouses or partners.

This list is not comprehensive, and applicants will receive detailed instructions on the specific documents required during the application process.

Permissible and Prohibited Activities on a UK Ancestry Vis

Under a British Ancestry visa, you are permitted to:

  • Engage in employment with any employer and in any capacity.
  • Pursue studies.
  • Bring your immediate family members to reside with you.

However, there are restrictions:

  • You cannot switch to this visa category if you are already in the UK on another type of visa.

Access to public funds, including welfare benefits, is not permitted.

Renewal or Extension of a UK Ancestry Visa

If you wish to extend or renew your UK Ancestry visa, you may submit an online application before your current leave expires. This is especially pertinent if you intend to remain in the UK beyond the initial 5-year term, but are not yet eligible or do not wish to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), perhaps due to reasons such as unspent criminal convictions.

To extend your Ancestry visa, you must apply before your current visa expires. Dependent family members may be included in the same application if they are applying simultaneously. The Ancestry visa can be extended more than once, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

The current extension fee for the Ancestry visa is £1,048. Applicants must also pay the healthcare surcharge for the National Health Service (NHS).

Progressing from a UK Ancestry Visa to ILR and British Citizenship

After residing continuously in the UK for 5 years on an Ancestry Visa, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR is not automatic; a comprehensive application is required. Subsequent to at least one year of residence in the UK with ILR status, you may apply for British citizenship.

ILR applications should be submitted online, ideally no more than 28 days before your current visa expires. An appointment must also be scheduled at a UKVCAS office to submit biometric data.

To qualify for ILR, applicants must:

  • Prove financial independence to support themselves and any dependents.
  • Show an intention to work in the UK.
  • Retain Commonwealth citizenship.
  • Pass the “Life in the UK” test.
  • Meet the English language proficiency requirements, such as a CEFR qualification at least level B1 in speaking and listening.

Evidence of active employment or genuine job-seeking efforts during the 5-year period on the Ancestry visa must be included with the ILR application.

Refusal of a UK Ancestry Visa Application

A UK Ancestry visa application may be refused for reasons such as:

  • Insufficient evidence to prove eligibility.
  • The presence of unspent criminal convictions.
  • Incorrect fee payment.
  • Failure to provide additional information when requested by UKVI.

If your UK Ancestry visa is refused, you have options:

  • Request an administrative review if you believe a mistake was made in the decision process by the Home Office.
  • Submit a new application.
  • Consider alternative visa categories, like a spouse visa.