Overview
The UK Ancestry visa is available for individuals who fall into one of the following categories: Commonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas), or citizen of Zimbabwe. In addition, you must prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, and meet other eligibility requirements.
The earliest you can apply for this visa is 3 months before your intended travel. If you apply from outside the UK, you should receive a decision within 3 weeks. There is an option to expedite the decision by paying for a faster processing time. The cost of a UK Ancestry visa is £531, and you may also be required to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Once granted, you can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa. After living in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may have two options: applying to extend your visa for another 5 years or applying for permanent settlement in the UK, known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’.
With a UK Ancestry visa, you have the freedom to work, study, and bring your partner or child to the UK. Your work can be paid or voluntary, full-time or part-time, and can include self-employment or being employed by someone else. However, it’s important to note that you cannot switch to this visa if you initially entered the UK on a different visa, and you are not eligible for public funds.