The UK Ancestry visa allows Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent to live and work in the UK. You must prove your ancestry and intend to work or seek work in the UK. This visa is valid for five years and can lead to settlement. Dependants can join you.

The UK Ancestry visa enables Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK to live, work, and study in the UK. It is a flexible visa that allows employment, self-employment, or job seeking without sponsorship. This route is valid for five years and can lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

It is an attractive option for those who qualify through their family heritage and want to build a life in the UK.

To be eligible for the UK Ancestry visa, you must:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen
• Be aged 17 or over
• Have a grandparent who was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Republic of Ireland (if born before 31 March 1922)
• Be able to prove your relationship to the grandparent
• Intend to work, be self-employed, or actively seek work in the UK
• Be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds
• Apply from outside the UK

You may still be eligible even if your parents or you were adopted, provided the grandparental link is valid.

You must hold citizenship of a country that is currently a member of the Commonwealth. However, citizens of certain former Commonwealth countries (such as Zimbabwe) may still qualify due to transitional provisions in the Immigration Rules.

The job must pay at least:

•  £36,300 per year,
• £18.10 per hour, or
• The ‘going rate’ for the occupation (whichever is higher)

The visa is granted for 5 years. Before it expires, you can:

• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the residence and other requirements
• Extend your stay if you are not yet eligible for settlement

You must show that you have been working or genuinely seeking work throughout your stay.

You can:

• Work for any employer
• Be self-employed
• Set up a business
• Study without restriction

There is no sponsorship requirement, and there are no limits on the type of work you can do.

You cannot:

• Access public funds

You may apply for ILR after 5 continuous years on this visa, provided you:

• Have been continuously resident in the UK
• Have not been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period
• Have worked or actively sought work during your stay
• Meet the English language and Life in the UK test requirements

We assist in checking your eligibility, evidencing your employment history or job search, and preparing your ILR application with strong supporting documents.

Yes. You can bring:

• Your partner (spouse or unmarried partner)
• Children under 18 (including those born in the UK during your stay)

Your dependants can work and study in the UK and may apply for settlement at the same time as you.

We offer comprehensive legal advice and assistance throughout the UK Ancestry visa process. We:

• Confirm your eligibility based on family lineage and immigration history
• Assist in gathering and verifying key documents such as birth and marriage certificates
• Help you prepare a clear and accurate visa application
• Advise on future planning, including extensions and ILR
• Draft a detailed legal representation letter to explain how your application meets the Immigration Rules and demonstrate your ancestry and genuine intent to work

Our legal representation letter helps clarify your case to the Home Office and is a crucial part of presenting a strong and compliant application. We provide end-to-end support to give you the best chance of success.