UK Ancestry Visa for Ghanaians

The UK Ancestry Visa allows people with family ties in the UK to live, work, and study there. Eligible applicants must be either a Commonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British nationals (overseas) citizen or a citizen of Zimbabwe. You can apply as a Ghanaian citizen because Ghana is a Commonwealth country.

Applications should be submitted at least three months before the travel date. Holders of this visa can apply for an extension or indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as settlement, after residing in the UK for five years. You can apply for British citizenship after holding an ILR for at least 12 months.

As an Ancestry Visa holder, you can enjoy flexible employment opportunities with no restrictions on the work you can do, whether employed, self-employed, or a combination of both. Additionally, you can volunteer or study with this visa.

Page Contents

• An Overview of the UK Ancestry Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa Eligibility Criteria
• UK Ancestry Visa Required Documents
• How To Apply For The UK Ancestry Visa
• Application Processing Time and Fees
• Bringing Your Dependents on a UK Ancestry Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa Validity Period and Extensions
• Total Law Can Help You
• FAQs

To be eligible to claim UK Ancestry as a Ghanaian citizen, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Have a grandparent born in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
• Plan to work in the UK
• Show sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds
• Have suitable accommodation for yourself and any accompanying dependents

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

When applying for the UK Ancestry Visa from Ghana, you must provide documents to prove your eligibility and support your application, including:

• Current Ghanian passport
• Birth certificate
• Birth certificates of your grandparents and parents who form the basis of your UK Ancestry claim
• Proof of sufficient funds for you and your dependents (if applicable)
• Proof of intention to work in the UK, such as a job offer or a business plan
• Documents showing any name changes for your parents or grandparents (if any)
• Legal adoption papers (if applicable)
• TB test certificate
• Marriage certificate or civil partnership document if your spouse or civil partner intends to accompany you
• Proof of your relationship with your dependents

Applying for a UK Ancestry Visa from Ghana can be done online, and you will need to provide personal information, details about your ancestry, and the required documents.

You must also prove your identity and nationality by scheduling an appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ghana. This will enable you to enrol your biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph.

The VAC may keep your passport and documents while processing your application. You will be informed of additional steps or requirements during the application process.

You can expect to receive a decision within three weeks after your biometric appointment. Sometimes, you can speed up the decision-making process by paying an additional fee.

There are several fees when applying for a UK Ancestry Visa, including the application fee of £726 and a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) fee of £19.20. Additionally, you must also pay the National Health Service (NHS) healthcare surcharge, which provides access to the UK’s health service for you and any dependents.

The NHS healthcare surcharge is £1035 per year for adults aged 18 and above and £776 per year for children under 18. This fee must be paid upfront for the entire duration of the visa.

If you hold a UK Ancestry Visa, your partner and children may be eligible to join you from Ghana as your dependents in the UK.

Children qualify as dependents if they are under 18 years old, unmarried, and reside with you. Children above 18 previously dependent on you or your partner’s visa are also eligible. Children under 18 can register as British citizens once you, as the parent, receive ILR. Your child does not have to wait for you to become a British citizen.

Your dependents can apply online and must visit a VAC in Ghana to provide biometric data. If you are extending or switching your visa while in the UK, dependents can do the same concurrently with you or before their existing visa expires.

However, dependents in certain categories, such as Visitor Visas or Short-term Study Visas, cannot switch visas within the UK and must leave to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa from Ghana. Exceptions exist for dependents on Student Visas who have completed their course or studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.

Children born in the UK while you hold a UK Ancestry Visa do not automatically become British citizens. You must apply for a Dependent Visa before they turn 18 if you wish for them to remain in the UK. In this case, you must provide a UK birth certificate showing both parents’ names.

Bringing your dependents to the UK on a UK Ancestry Visa offers opportunities for family reunification. At Total Law, we can help you make the process smooth. Call +44 (0)333 305 9375 for assistance.

The Ancestry Visa UK is valid for five years. If you hold a UK Ancestry Visa, you can apply for an extension, allowing you to stay in the UK for an additional five years. It is recommended that you apply before your current visa expires.

This visa allows for multiple extensions, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. If you have lived in the UK for five years on this visa, you can apply for settlement, granting you permanent residence in the UK.

Extending your visa does not automatically extend the visas of your dependents. If they wish to continue living in the UK, they must apply to extend their visa separately, either at the same time as you or before their current visa expires.

When applying for an extension, you must pay a £726 application fee per person and the healthcare surcharge.