Visit the UK on a UK Ancestry Visa
A UK Ancestry Visa allows certain people with British ancestry to visit the UK for up to 5 years to live, study, and work (as a volunteer, self-employed or in a job). You may also bring your partner or other dependants if they are eligible.
You can only apply for this visa if you are:
- a Commonwealth citizen,
- a British overseas citizen,
- a British overseas territories citizen,
- a British national (overseas), or
- a citizen of Zimbabwe
If you are granted the UK Ancestry Visa and live in the UK for the full 5 years that it is valid, you may become eligible to apply to extend your visa for a further 5 years or even apply to settle permanently in the UK (‘indefinite leave to remain’).
UK Ancestry Visa eligibility requirements
To be eligible to apply for the UK Ancestry visa, there are further requirements you will need to meet in order to be approved.
You should expect to be asked to provide:
- Evidence that you are at least 17 years old
- Evidence that one of your grandparents was born either in: the UK; the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man; before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland; or on a ship or aircraft that was either registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government
- Proof that you have enough funds to support and house yourself (and any dependants you may want to bring with you) in the UK without relying on public funds (i.e. benefits)
- An example of such evidence could be a recent bank statement (no older than 31 days from the time you lodge your application) showing that you have a sufficient amount of savings available
- Evidence that you are able to work and plan to work in the UK
- This could be a job offer or a business plan
- Evidence of your relationship with any dependants (partner and/or children) you want to bring with you
- Any dependants will also need to lodge their own visa application to come to the UK with you
- A copy of your current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or another valid travel document
- A copy of your full birth certificate
- A copy of the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on
- Evidence if your parent or grandparent has changed their name since birth
- Evidence if you or your parent is adopted
- Your tuberculosis test results (if you are from a country where the UK requires you to take one before submitting an application)
- A certified translation of your documents if they are not in English or Welsh
You can still apply for a UK Ancestry Visa if you or your parent/s were adopted, or if your parents or grandparents were unmarried. You cannot apply for a UK Ancestry Visa on the basis of your relationship with a step-parent.
UK Ancestry Visa application process
Applications for a UK Ancestry Visa must be made before you travel to the UK, and need to be lodged no earlier than 3 months before your estimated date of arrival. After you have applied, you can usually expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks.
UK Ancestry Visa costs
The UK Ancestry Visa fee is £637, and is payable when you submit your application. You may also have to pay a healthcare surcharge for each year that the visa is valid. The precise amount owed will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each applicant.
If you’re unsure if this visa is right for you or how to apply, or have any other questions, you can seek advice from one of our qualified migration agents below.
Demetris Demetriou
Demetris is a dual-qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor) and Cyprus (Advocate) with 10+ years of experience in UK immigration. He completed his legal studies at University College London and City University London. Over the course of his career, he held key roles as Head of Immigration at Legal 500 firms and within the Big4, overseeing teams of 15+ fee earners handling 2000+ applications annually.
Demetris went on to co-establish his firm in London and continues to offer innovative solutions and strategic immigration planning to multinationals, SMEs, and private clients.
He personally represented 1500+ clients in 30+ visa routes including investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, sole representatives, students, family visas, global talent, UK ancestry, administrative reviews and appeals. Demetris has managed corporate relocations, conducted immigration law training and implemented post-Brexit immigration policies for corporate clients.
Demetris has been featured in various events and publications focusing on UK immigration, notably at the Cambridge Network, the Westminster Policy Forum and most recently at DGEMS, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.
If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.
Tatiani Preifelt
Tatiani has a wealth of expertise in global mobility and corporate immigration. Her ample skills were acquired within leading immigration practices including three out of the Big4 firms in both the UK and Sweden. Tatiani went on to co-establish her firm in London where she continues to advise clients predominantly in corporate, business and skilled work migration.
Having personally relocated to 10 different countries, Tatiani understands the importance of an expedient and successful immigration process and takes pride in delivering a seamless experience to her clients as well.
Over the course of her career, she has assisted over 500 individuals and businesses to obtain the appropriate visa permits in the UK.
Her awarded academic work at The University of Oxford, The London School of Economics, and at The Geneva University is in the fields of Political Science, International Human Rights Law, and Global Migration Governance.
She regularly provides immigration training and has recently participated as a speaker and panellist at DGEMS 2023, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.
If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.