UK Ancestry Visa: Apply from Ireland

If you are someone that lives in Ireland but does not have Irish citizenship, and you live in Ireland by way of a valid residence visa, you will need to apply for an ancestry visa before being able to move to the UK, so long as you meet the requirements.

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

• Be one of the following
  • A citizen of a Commonwealth nation
  • A British overseas citizen
  • A British overseas territories citizen
  • A British national (overseas)
  • A citizen of Zimbabwe
• Prove at least one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

Further requirements include that you:

• Be 17 years of age or above
• Have sufficient funds without help from public funds to support yourself, including accommodation for yourself and any dependants
• Are able to and have plans to gain employment or self-employment in the UK

There are also specific eligibility requirements for the relevant family member, in this case, the grandparent you are seeking the ancestry visa through.

The applicant has to prove that at least one grandparent was born:

• In the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• Before 31 March 1922 in Ireland
• On a ship or aircraft that was either registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government.

The UK government makes it possible to claim an ancestry visa if you or your grandparents were adopted and if your parents or grandparents were not married. However, you cannot claim UK ancestry through your step-parents.

We can assist you with applying for this visa. For more information on how we can help or immediate support, call us today on (+353) 061 518 025.

The UK ancestry visa route requires applicants to show detailed evidence of their relationship with their relative/grandparent born in the UK and a UK citizen, so you will need to provide the birth certificates of your parent(s) and grandparent.

You may also need to provide:

• Documentations if your parent’s or grandparent’s names have changed since birth, either through marriage or civil partnership certificates or a deed
• Legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted

In addition to proof of your grandparent’s status, you are also required to provide:

• A valid, current passport showing citizenship to a commonwealth nation, or valid travel document with a minimum of one blank page for your visa, or another valid type of travel document.
• Your full birth certificate
• Proof that you plan to get a job after you enter the UK – by way of a job offer or a business plan if you will enter self-employment
• Proof you intend to bear complete financial responsibility by showing that you have the financial resources to be the financial support for yourself and any dependent family members. Bank statements have to be dated within 31 days of when you submit your application.
• Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
• Your marriage certificate or civil partnerships registration (if dependent spouses/civil partners are coming)

Ancestry visa applications can be made up to 3 months prior to when they intend to travel to the UK. The application is made online via the Home Office and UK government website.

As part of the application, applicants must make an appointment at a Visa Application Centre with an immigration officer to prove their identity. During the appointment, the immigration officer will have your biometric information taken (photograph and fingerprints).

You will likely need to provide documentary evidence of your situation when you attend the appointment.

A good aspect of the UK ancestry visa is that it is possible to bring dependents (both EEA and non-EEA family members) with you to the UK.  All dependent non-UK family members can apply online if they are based outside of the UK. They will also need to attend the visa application centre in order to get their biometrics completed.

Dependents are defined as any of the following, and for all eligible dependents, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply:

• Your partner (wife, husband, fiancé, civil partner or partner with whom you have been living together for longer than 2 years)
• Children(s) under 18
• Children(s)  over 18 who were on your or your partner’s visa as a dependant

Dependent privilege does not extend to other family members like parents, cousins, aunts, or grandparents.

For children, they must live with you so long they are not attending education elsewhere, not be married/in a civil partnership, and not have any children. All dependent children must be financially dependent on their parents as they are not eligible to access public funds.

If your dependents are already legally residing in the UK, they can extend or switch their visa to the UK ancestry visa, so long as they reach all requirements. However, it is not possible to switch if they’re currently in the UK:

• On visitor visa
• On a Short-term study visa
• On a Parent of a Child Student visa
• On a Seasonal Worker visa
• On a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa
• On immigration bail

If your dependents are living in the UK on one of these visa categories, they must exit the UK and re-apply for a UK Ancestry visa from their commonwealth country.

Yes, you can extend your visa before it expires. If you are successful, you will be able to stay in the UK for an additional five years. Before that is over, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which is like permanent residence (or permanent immigration permission) and a step towards becoming a British citizen.

The Ancestry visa can be extended as many times as you like as long as you still meet the requirements. If you travelled with dependents, they can extend their UK visas as well.

To extend your visa, you can apply online. You will be required to give biometrics which you can do at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. Each person applying will need to pay £1,048 as an application fee, £19.20 for biometrics, and the healthcare surcharge if it applies.

After applying, do not travel outside the UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Channel islands, or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, else your application will be withdrawn. You should get a decision on your visa extension within eight weeks, but you may be able to get it faster.