An ancestry UK visa will grant you residence in the UK for five years; however this is only accessible if you are a commonwealth national (check Immigration Consults Commonwealth Country list).

If you are a Commonwealth National and you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man then you may apply for a UK Ancestry Visa. If you are granted this visa then you will be eligible to stay in the UK for five years and the visa doesn’t carry the same restrictions that can be seen on a work permit as you will have the entire job market open to you meaning you will be able to pursue a job in any sector that you want. Whilst you are in the UK on an ancestry UK visa you will be treated the same as a UK national.

As with all visas there are restrictions surrounding a UK ancestry visa that you must comply with in order to be granted a UK ancestry visa. One of the main restrictions is being able to prove your relationship to a UK national. This can be done through aspects such as birth certificates and marriage certificates. This should include your full birth certificate as well as the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent through whose ancestry you are making your application. These should be accompanied by your marriage certification if your are married and the marriage certificates of your parents and grandparents; however you should leave yourself enough time to find these documents before you start your application process.

As well as these appropriate documents you also need to be able to prove that you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

When you are making your UK ancestry visa application you must do so from your home country or from the country that you are a legal resident.

One aspect that you will have to show within your application is that you have the ability to support yourself for the five years whilst you are in the UK without having to rely on public funding; you should have enough money to pay your way until you have found a job within the UK.

Once your five years are over you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and then later UK Citizenship.

If you wish to enter the UK on an ancestry visa then contact Immigration Consult today and will we guide you through the application process and help you with all of your documentation.

If you would like more information about a UK ancestry visa or if you would like to start your application process then contact Immigration Consult today and we will provide you with all of the help and guidance that you will need.