UK Ancestry Visa
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 1825 days
- Processing time
- 3 weeks
- Fee
- £682
- Validity
- 5 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
For Commonwealth citizens (including British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), and citizens of Zimbabwe) who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland before 31 March 1922. Ancestry through adoption is accepted. Step-parent lineage does not qualify. Must be aged 17+, intend to work in the UK, and be able to support themselves. Can be extended for additional 5-year periods. Settlement (ILR) possible after 5 continuous years. Must apply from outside the UK. Extension fee: £1,321. Settlement fee: £3,029. Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year.
Eligibility
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Age
Must be aged 17 or over
Min age: 17
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Nationality
Must be a Commonwealth citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British National (Overseas), or citizen of Zimbabwe
Eligible countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Republic of, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Purpose of visit
Must prove a grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland before 31 March 1922. Must intend to work in the UK
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Financial
Must demonstrate financial independence without relying on public funds
Minimum funds: Sufficient to support yourself
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, employment evidence; Minimum amount: Sufficient to support yourself without public funds
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Biometrics appointment
Booking url: https://www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa/apply; Location: Visa application centre
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Birth certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Online payment; Amount: £682
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Tuberculosis test
Test type: Chest X-ray at approved clinic (if from designated country); Validity months: 6
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Health surcharge
Amount: £1,035 per year; Applicant category: Main applicant and dependants
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather grandparent's birth certificate (UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man/Ireland pre-1922), parent's birth certificate proving lineage, your birth certificate, passport, and financial evidence
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Online application
Apply online from outside the UK up to 3 months before travel
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Fee payment
Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
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Biometrics
Attend a visa application centre for biometric collection
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Processing wait
Wait for a decision on your application
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Visa collection
Receive your visa decision and collect biometric residence permit details