The UK Ancestry Visa is a unique immigration route that allows certain Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent to live and work in the United Kingdom. This visa is popular among citizens of countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, offering a pathway to work, study, and even settle in the UK.
The UK Ancestry Visa allows Commonwealth citizens who have at least one grandparent born in the UK (or in certain qualifying territories) to live, work, and study in the UK for up to 5 years. After five years, visa holders may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship.
It offers significant flexibility—applicants do not need a job offer before arrival and may work in any capacity, including self-employment. After five years of continuous residence and employment, visa holders may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, eventually, for British citizenship, opening the door to permanent settlement in the UK.
You can apply for the UK Ancestry Visa if all the following apply:
Your UK-born grandparent can be on either your mother’s or father’s side (or even through adoption, if legal adoption occurred).
You must prove that you can support yourself without recourse to public funds.
When applying for a UK Ancestry Visa, you’ll need to submit the following documents to support your application:
Must be current and have at least one blank page for the visa.
Confirms your identity and place of birth.
Needed to establish a clear ancestral link to your UK-born grandparent.
Used to verify name changes across generations.
Bank statements or financial documents showing you can support yourself without public funds.
Examples include a CV, cover letter, job applications, or business plans if self-employed.
Required only if you’re applying from a country where TB testing is mandatory.
All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Follow these steps to begin your journey to the UK through your ancestral roots:
Start your application on the official UK government website.
Submit the required payment during the online application process.
Schedule an appointment at your nearest visa application centre.
Bring all required documents and provide your fingerprints and photo at the appointment.
Most applicants receive a decision within 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
If you are granted a UK Ancestry Visa, you can bring your dependents with you to the UK. This includes your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (with proof of a long-term relationship), and children under 18. Dependants are allowed to live, work, and study in the UK, and they must apply for their visa at the same time or join you later. They will also need to pay the same application fee and immigration health surcharge. After five years of residence, dependents may also be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) alongside the main applicant.
The standard processing timeline for the UK Ancestry Visa is approximately 3 weeks after you attend your biometric appointment. If you need a quicker decision, priority services may be available for an additional fee. Keep in mind that you can apply up to 3 months in advance of your intended travel date.
The UK Ancestry Visa offers great flexibility for your life in the UK. Here's what you're allowed—and not allowed—to do:
You Can |
You Cannot |
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The UK Ancestry Visa is initially granted for a period of five years. At the end of this period, visa holders have two main options: they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they have been continuously working or self-employed during their stay, or they may choose to apply for a five-year extension of the visa if they are not yet eligible or ready for ILR. This flexibility allows individuals to continue building their lives and careers in the UK while working toward permanent residency.
If you’re extending or switching your UK Ancestry Visa from inside the UK, your partner or child’s visa will remain valid until its original expiry date. However, they must apply to extend or switch their visa separately, either:
This also applies to children who turn 18 during your stay in the UK.
However, dependants cannot switch to the UK Ancestry Visa from inside the UK if they are currently on:
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A Visitor visa A Short-term study visa A Parent of a Child Student visa A Seasonal Worker visa |
A Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa Immigration bail A visa granted outside the Immigration Rules (e.g., on compassionate grounds) |
If your partner or child is on a Student visa, they can only switch to a dependant visa if they have either:
Here is a step-by-step journey with the UK Ancestry Visa
You’ll receive a 5-year visa allowing you to live, work, or study in the UK.
To qualify for future settlement, you must be continuously employed or self-employed during your stay.
Once you've lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the residency and work requirements. ILR allows you to live permanently in the UK without immigration restrictions.
With ILR, you enjoy unlimited stay, full work rights, and access to public services.
After holding ILR for at least 12 months (unless married to a UK citizen), you may apply for British citizenship, provided you meet the residency, language, and life in the UK test requirements.
Your spouse/partner and children can also apply for ILR and eventually naturalize as British citizens along with you.
Here are the main advantages of the UK Ancestry Visa:
While the Ancestry Visa offers significant freedoms, there are also certain conditions you must adhere to:
While the UK Ancestry Visa offers a straightforward route to living in the UK, many applications are delayed or refused due to avoidable mistakes. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you prepare a strong application.
The UK Ancestry Visa is mainly available to citizens of Commonwealth countries which are
When considering moving to the UK for work, a comparison of visa options is important. A comparison between the Skilled Worker Visa and the UK Ancestry Visa is outlined below to assist you in choosing the most favorable option for your situation.
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Feature |
Ancestry Visa |
Skilled Worker Visa |
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Job offer required? |
No |
Yes |
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Sponsorship needed? |
No |
Yes |
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Valid for |
5 years (extendable) |
5 years (extendable) |
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Path to settlement? |
Yes |
Yes |
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Available to non-Commonwealth citizens? |
No |
Yes |
Yes. You can bring your spouse, partner, and children under 18 as dependants. They can live, work, and study in the UK.
No. You don’t need a job offer or employer sponsorship, but you must show you intend to work or be self-employed in the UK.
The visa is initially valid for 5 years. After that, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or a visa extension if needed.
Yes. You are free to study at any UK institution during your stay.
Yes. After 5 years on the visa, you can apply for ILR, and 12 months after that, you may become eligible for British citizenship.
No. You must apply from outside the UK—this visa cannot be switched into from most other UK visas.
Content Disclaimer: While this information was last updated in May 2025, we strongly suggest confirming all travel details with the appropriate governmental agencies, embassies, and airlines.