UK Ancestry Visa

A prospective applicant will need to demonstrate that they:

- are a Commonwealth citizen;

- are 17 years old or over;

- are able to work in the UK and have plans to do so;

- are able to accommodate and support themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds; and

- have at least one grandparent who was born in the UK or the islands.

A prospective applicant for a UK Ancestry visa will need to have an ability to work and may be questioned about this particularly if they are close or have retire but this is not a bar.

There is no set amount of funds for an individual to show when applying for a UK Ancestry visa, but they must be able to show they are in a financial position to meet their expenses and this will vary according to individual circumstances.

A person who holds a UK Ancestry visa can be accompanied by their spouse/civil partner/long term partner and children under the age of 18 to the UK.

Of course you will need to show that there is adequate financial resources for them.

Dependants will be granted permission to stay in the UK in line with the main applicant.

Applicants will need to show that they have been continuously resident in the UK throughout the 5 year duration of their visa. This means that they cannot have been here without permission or been absent for a 180 days in any 12 month period. 

Sometimes the most challenging aspect of applying for settlement once an application has completed 5 years stay on the UK Ancestry visa is to show that they are in work or have worked. The UK Ancestry visa does mean that the individual has to work throughout the 5 years and can be self-employed, again this will depend on the circumstances of each individual.

They will also need to have passed a Life in the UK Test.

Some nationalities may also need to satisfy a basic English language requirement.

If after 5 years in the UK you are not in a position to apply for indefinite leave to remain you may extend a UK Ancestry visa for a further 5 years. The extension application can be submitted from within the UK and there is currently no limit on the number of times this type of visa can be extended.