Ancestry Visa

The Ancestry Visa allows individuals from Commonwealth countries with a UK-born grandparent to live and work in the UK. This visa is available to those who can prove they have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or the Republic of Ireland, and want to take advantage of their ancestral ties to settle in the UK.

This visa is an excellent route for those with British ancestry who want to build a future in the UK.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Ancestry Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Commonwealth Citizenship: You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country (including countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa).
• Proof of Ancestry: You must provide evidence that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or the Republic of Ireland. You must also prove that the grandparent was not a naturalized British citizen or born outside of the UK.
• Age Requirement: You must be aged 17 or over.
• Financial Support: You must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself and your dependents (if applicable) without relying on public funds.
• Intention to Work: You must intend to work in the UK, although you do not need a job offer at the time of application.

Duration of Stay

The Ancestry Visa allows you to stay in the UK for:

• 5 years initially. After 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet the residency and other requirements.
• You can extend your visa for an additional 5 years if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Application Process

Timeline

You can apply for the Ancestry Visa up to 3 months before your intended travel date. The application process typically involves:

• Proving your identity and ancestry.
• Providing documents that demonstrate your financial support.
• Showing your intention to work in the UK (though you do not need a job offer when applying).
• Submitting a completed application form and paying the application fee.

Decision Timeframe

• 8 weeks is the usual processing time for Ancestry Visa applications, although it can vary depending on the complexity of your case.

Rights and Restrictions

What You Can Do:

• Live, work, and study in the UK without any restrictions on the type of work.
• Apply for an extension after 5 years and potentially apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if eligible.
• Bring dependents (partner and children) with you, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

What You Cannot Do:

• Apply for public funds (benefits).
• Stay in the UK without meeting the residency requirements or renewing your visa as necessary.

Get in touch with us now at Squadlead to make your Ancestry Visa application process seamless and stress-free!