UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa allows eligible Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom for five years, with a clear pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This page outlines the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, application procedure, and professional support available through Legate Hub. Applicable fees are advised during consultation.

What Is the UK Ancestry Visa?

This visa category is designed for individuals who can demonstrate UK lineage through a grandparent. It grants permission to work in the UK (employed or self-employed) without the need for sponsorship. Successful applicants are granted a five-year visa and may then qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, the applicant must meet all of the following Home Office requirements:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen.
• Be 17 years or older at the date of intended travel.
• Have at least one grandparent born in:
  • The United Kingdom
  • The Channel Islands
  • The Isle of Man
  • Or before 31 March 1922 in Ireland (if born before independence)
• Be able to work or actively seek employment in the UK.
• Have adequate funds to maintain and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds.
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to work in the UK once permission is granted.

Required Documents

The following documentation is typically required for a UK Ancestry Visa application:

• A valid passport or travel document.
• Your full birth certificate.
• Birth certificates of the parent and grandparent through whom ancestry is claimed.
• Adoption certificates (if applicable).
• Evidence of Commonwealth citizenship.
• Evidence of intention to work (such as a CV, qualifications, or employment correspondence).
• Bank statements demonstrating financial self-sufficiency.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, where required.

Detailed guidance and document templates are available in the Legate Hub Document Centre.

Fees

UK Ancestry Visa applications are subject to Home Office application charges and the Immigration Health Surcharge. All applicable government fees and professional legal fees are confirmed during your consultation, based on your circumstances and application location.

Legate Hub provides transparent fee guidance before any application is submitted.

Processing Time

Applications submitted from outside the UK are typically processed within:

• Approximately 3–6 weeks following biometric enrolment and document submission.

Visa Length & Work Rights

Successful applicants are granted:

• A five-year visa on the UK Ancestry route.
• Full right to work, including self-employment.
• Permission to study.
• Freedom to change employers without restriction.

Eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain

After completing five continuous years in the UK under the Ancestry route, applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), subject to residence, English language, and Life in the UK Test requirements.

Application Procedure (Through Legate Hub)

1. Eligibility Review: Full ancestry and documentation assessment.
2. Document Compilation: Verification of lineage, finances, and supporting evidence.
3. Form Preparation: Completion of the correct Home Office application.
4. Submission: Application submission and payment processing.
5. Biometric Appointment: Attendance at a visa application centre.
6. Decision: Home Office assessment and outcome.
7. Visa Issuance: Entry clearance granted if approved.
8. Post-Arrival Compliance: Collection of immigration status documentation after arrival.