Do you need to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa?
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Commonwealth citizens having ancestral ties to the UK can migrate to live and work in the UK under the UK ancestry visa category. The candidate applying under this ancestry visa scheme must have one or more grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Applicants whose grandparent was born in the Republic of Ireland before March 1922 are also eligible under this category. It is immaterial if the grandparent is alive or deceased. This facility is also available to those applicants whose parent was adopted by a UK citizen. A valid proof of their adoption or birth would have to be provided for the UK ancestry visa or British Ancestry Visa application
The Ancestry visa is initially granted for a period of 5 years. Thereafter, the visa holder can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK and even UK citizenship. To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, the applicant should continue to meet all the essential requirements of the UK Ancestry visa and prove that they have continually spent the 5-year period in the UK. Besides, they should have been on regular employment during this time, and that they must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK during each year of the 5 years.
The UK Ancestry Visa holders are free to take up any employment without any restrictions and do not require a work permit. Therefore, they must seek and intend to undertake employment whilst in the UK in order to support themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.
Spouses and unmarried partners of the UK Ancestry visa holders are issued with an Ancestry Dependency visa and are allowed the same benefits as the principal applicant.
Any applicants who have been issued the Ancestry Visa before April 2006 are having a visa that is valid only for 4 years. Such visa holders are permitted to apply for a 1-year extension and thereafter they are eligible to apply for ILR. After remaining on ILR for 12 months they are entitled to apply for naturalisation or British citizenship. In any other case, you can apply for ILR after being in the UK for 5 Years.
If you are unable to qualify under this category, then you should also check if you are eligible for Right of Abode.
Do you need to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa?
Speak to our experts to find out about our fast, friendly and affordable service