UK Ancestry Visa

The main applicant can apply for their ancestry visa application up to 3 months prior to when they intend to travel to the UK.

The application is made online, via the Home Office. When making the application, it is important to book an appointment at a Visa Application Center nearby to where you live.

This appointment is to prove your identity. During it you will have your biometric information taken, this is your photograph and fingerprints. You will likely need to take relevant documents with you to the appointment.

The UK ancestry visa route requires applicants to show detailed evidence of their relationship with their relative/ grandparent who was born in the UK.

As such, you will be asked to provide the birth certificates of the parent and grandparent that your claim for ancestry is based on.

You may also need to provide:

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

The application of the ancestry visa is also required to provide the following documents:

• Valid, current passport 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
• Evidence that you plan to work in the UK, could be by providing a valid offer of employment, or a valid business plan if you intend/are already self-employed.
• Bank statements that show you are able to support yourself and any 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 partnership registration (if spouses/parents intend to join)

A UK Ancestry visa costs £516. Applicants are also responsible for paying the immigration health surcharge,  which varies in price but the healthcare surcharge provides you access to the national health service of the UK.

As mentioned, the earliest you can apply is 3 months prior to entering the UK.

After applying, you should hear back about your decision within 3 weeks. This may be longer if the application is more complicated or there are delays due to external issues such as COVID19.

Through the UK ancestry visa, it is possible to bring dependents with you to the UK.

Dependents are defined as any of the following:

• Your partner (wife, husband, fiance, civil partner or 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’s privilege does not extend to parents, cousins, aunts, or grandparents. For all eligible dependents, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

For children, they must live with you as long they are not attending full-course education elsewhere, are not married or in a civil partnership, and do not have any children. All dependent children must be financially reliant on their parents and not need public funds.

All dependents can apply online if they are based outside the UK. They will also need to attend the visa application centre in order to get their biometrics completed (photograph and fingerprints taken)

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. To do this, they can either apply at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.

It is important to note, however, that they cannot apply 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 dependents are in the UK in one of those visa categories, they will have to leave the UK and apply for a UK Ancestry visa from their commonwealth country.