Do you want to move to the UK to live and work? If so, there are several routes you can choose to take when applying for a visa. 

If you’ve a grandparent who was born in the UK, you may apply for an ancestry visa in the UK. We’ll cover everything you need to know about applying for this visa. 

Let’s get started. 

What is a UK ancestry visa?

A UK ancestry visa is issued to commonwealth citizens who have their grandparents born in the UK and who want to live and work in the UK. Initially, this visa remains valid for 5 years. However, if you want to stay longer, you can apply for the extension. You can also apply for this if you want to settle in the UK permanently. This allows you to get any job you want without needing approval from the home office. 

What are the eligibility criteria or factors to qualify?

Your British ancestry may allow you to live and work in the UK as a Commonwealth citizen and descendant of a British royal. The UK royal ancestry visa eligibility requirements and application process are discussed below.

In order to qualify for an ancestry visa in the UK, you must meet the following requirements:

• For entry clearance, you must be 17 at the time you intend to arrive in the UK, and if you are under 18, parental consent is required;
• Commonwealth citizenship is required;
• A valid medical certificate may be required to confirm that you have not been infected with active pulmonary tuberculosis;
• It is necessary for you to have a grandparent who was born in the UK or islands;
• You must be able to work in the UK and intend to do so;
• Without relying on public funds, you must be able to maintain and accommodate yourself adequately;

It is allowed for spouses, unmarried partners (who have cohabited for at least two years) and children of the main applicants to apply at the same time or to join the main applicant in the UK.

Who is a Commonwealth Citizen?

In order to be considered as a citizen of Commonwealth nations, you need to comply with the followings:

• A British national (overseas)
• A British overseas territories citizen
• A British subject
• A citizen of a country listed in Schedule 3 to the British Nationality Act 1981
• A valid passport or travel document issued by a Commonwealth country is necessary to get included as evidence of citizenship

How to Demonstrate UK Ancestry

Whether your grandparent was born in the UK, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or Ireland (born before 31 March 1922) is necessary.

Grandparents can be blood relatives or adopted. If you or your parents were adopted, the adoption process must be valid and recognized by UK law. Additionally, it is not necessary for your parents or grandparents to have been married at the time of your birth.

How to Apply for Ancestry Visa UK

To apply for a UK Ancestry visa, a person must fill out the specified form online at gov.uk. The application must be submitted from outside the UK unless previously granted permission on the UK Ancestry route. 

Make sure you also pay the immigration health surcharge when you apply for a visa.

Settlement Application Based on UK Ancestry Visa

In order to qualify for settlement based on UK ancestry, you must be a Commonwealth citizen at the time of application. For the UK Ancestry route, you must have lived lawfully in the UK for a full five years.  

If you are under 65, or have a disability that prevents you from meeting the requirement, you need to know how to live in the UK and speak English.

A minimum level B1 in English speaking and listening is required to meet the English language requirement.

Contact Intime Solicitors for Ancestry Visa in UK

We have a team of solicitors who are experts in the UK Visas and Settlement applications. We strive to provide our clients with effective representation in all areas of immigration law and care about your future and will assist with complex immigration matters.

Contact us for a free consultation.