What is UK Ancestry Visa ?

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The UK Ancestry Visa allows you to live and work in the UK for five years.

This is a special little visa, as you can re-apply for it as many times as you like, and you may exit and re-enter the UK multiple times.
It is important to remember that at the end of your five year visa you may qualify to extend into Indefinite Leave To Remain in the UK.

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If you have an Ancestry Visa that was issued before April 2006, it will most likely be valid for four years. If your ancestry visa is indeed for four years, you may apply for a one year extension, and then for ILR if you wish to.

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If, like us, you love the UK and want to be able to call it home, you can! After spending 12 months on ILR, you may be eligible for UK citizenship, which is referred to as naturalisation as a British citizen.

To successfully hold a UK Ancestry Visa you must prove that you:

 
1.  Are a citizen of the Commonwealth
2.  Are aged 17 or over
3.  Have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
4.  Have a grandparent that was born in the Republic of Ireland prior to 31st March 1922
5.  Are able to work in the UK or show the ability and intent to take on Voluntary Work in the UK
6.  Are able to support yourself and dependants without recourse to Public Funding
7. You cannot claim Ancestry through Step Parents, but you MAY claim Ancestry if yourself or your parent were adopted along the line
8. You may bring your dependants (partner, spouse, child) along to the UK on this visa type, and the requirements to fulfill this side of the application can be quite extensive

 

This is a fantastic visa to obtain but the application process can be a touch daunting – it is time consuming and complicated.

The British High Commission are extremely particular about the format of the relevant birth certificates being submitted to prove your lineage, hence it would be advisable to take on expert advice in this area.

As this is a legal process, every step of the application must be completed perfectly. If not, the application runs the risk of rejection. This is not the end of the world as you can re-apply but who can afford the time and money?
 
Our OISC Registered Migration Agents will guide you through the process and assist in a successful application for the Ancestry Visa.

For a FREE initial visa assessment please complete the Free UK Visa Assessment and one of our consultants will respond within 48 hours of your submission