The ancestry visa will cost you £496. You may also be subject to pay the health care surcharge.
How long can you stay on this visa?
On this visa you can easily stay 5 years. After that, you can extend your visa for another 5 years. Note that after the first 5 years you are able to apply for permanent settlement in the UK.
Who can apply for ancestry visa?
You can apply for such a visa if:
- You are a Commonwealth citizen
- You are applying from outside the UK
- Your grandparents were born in the UK.
- You are able to and plan to work when in the UK
Other eligibility requirements include being over the age of 17. You also must prove that you are able to finance your stay in the UK without support from public funds and also sufficient funds for any dependents you may have
How can I prove my ancestry?
You can prove your ancestry by proving that your grandparent has been born in one of the following circumstances:
- They were born in the UK which includes the Channel Islands and Islan of Man
- They were born before 1922 in what the Republic of Ireland is today
- If they born on ship or aircraft which is British registered.
When can you claim ancestry?
If you want to claim ancestry. You or your parents should be:
- were adopted
- were inside or outside marriage in the UK
You cannot claim ancestry via stepparents
What documents will I need ?
- A valid passport or travel identification
- Bank statements proving you have sufficient funds to live in the UK
- Tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where it is required (Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia)
- Your Birth certificate
- Your marriage or Civil partnership documents if your partner wants to join you in the UK
- The Birth certificate of the parent/grandparent that you are basing your claim on
- The Marriage certificate of your parents and grandparents
- Legal adoption papers if you were adopted
What Can I do and what I Cannot?
You Can work, study and bring members of your family. You cannot ‘switch’ into this visa if you’re already in the UK on another visa. Also, you cannot get public funds.
If you would like more information on ancestry visa, please contact ICS Legal. We will be able to provide you the advice that you are missing. If you wish to take some legal advice. Please email us at info@icslegal.com or give us a call on 0207 237 3388 for more information.
