You must prove that you: are 17 or over have enough money without help from public funds to support and house yourself and any dependants can and plan to work in the UK Your ancestry You must show that you have a grandparent born in one of the following circumstances: in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland on a ship or aircraft that was either registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government You can claim ancestry if: you or your parent were adopted your parents or grandparents were not married You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. A ‘dependant’ is any of the following: your partner your child under 18 your child aged 18 or over who was previously on your or your partner’s visa as a dependant You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply. Your partner You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply Your child They must: live with you (unless they’re in full time education at boarding school, college or university) not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children be supported by you without using public funds Apply from outside the UK Your partner or child must apply online . They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application. Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on where you’re applying from. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services. Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa) Your partner and children may be able to extend their visa or switch to a UK Ancestry visa to stay with you in the UK. You can add your partner or children to your application when you extend your visa . They do not need to apply separately. Switch to an Ancestry visa Your partner or child can apply to switch their visa online . They cannot apply to switch if they’re currently in the UK: on a 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 because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds If they’re in one of those categories, they must leave the UK and apply for a UK Ancestry visa from abroad . Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. Children born while you’re in the UK If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen . You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK. You can apply online for their dependant visa . You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child. You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide: a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or another valid travel document your full birth certificate the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on evidence that you’re planning to work in the UK, for example job offers you’ve received or a business plan if you’re self-employed evidence, such as bank statements, that prove you can support yourself and any dependants in the UK - it must be dated within 31 days from when you submit your application Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide: evidence that your parents or grandparents have changed their name since birth, for example marriage or civil partnership certificates or a deed poll legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take a TB test your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration document if your spouse or civil partner wants to join you in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa and stay in the UK for a further 5 years. You must apply before your current visa expires. You can extend this visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements . You can also apply to settle in the UK permanently if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa. Extending with your partner or children You should include any dependants (your partner or children) who are on your current visa on your application to extend. This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay. They do not need to apply separately. Fees For each person applying you’ll need to pay: the £1,033 application fee the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken Providing biometric information and supporting documents When you apply online, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment Extend your visa online You must apply online to extend your visa. Apply online Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. After you apply Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks. Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on where you’re applying from. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

UK Ancestry visa

Q: Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a UK Ancestry visa before you travel to the UK. Applying with your family Your partner and children can apply to join you in the UK . Each family member will need to make their own application to come to the UK as your ‘dependant’. When to apply The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK. Apply online As part of your online application, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment. The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application. You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply online How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on where you’re applying from. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Overview

You can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if all of the following are true:

you’re a Commonwealth citizen
you can prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
you’re able and planning to work in the UK
you meet the other eligibility requirements

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Fees

A UK Ancestry visa costs £516.

Healthcare surcharge

You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.

Applying to stay longer in the UK

If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may be able to either:

apply to extend your visa for a further 5 years
apply to settle permanently in the UK (apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

What you can and cannot do

You can:

work
study
bring your partner or child

You cannot:

change (‘switch’) into this visa if you came to the UK on a different visa
get public funds

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UK Ancestry visa

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UK Ancestry visa

Overview

How long it will take

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

How long you can stay

Applying to stay longer in the UK

What you can and cannot do

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