The UK Ancestry Visa: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

The UK Ancestry Visa is a unique immigration route that allows eligible individuals with UK-born grandparents to live and work in the UK. It's especially relevant for Commonwealth citizens and others with British family roots. Here's a simple breakdown of who qualifies and what the process entails.

Who Is Eligible?

To apply for a UK Ancestry Visa, you must:

• Be 17 years or older

• Be a citizen of a qualifying country (see full list below)

• Have at least one grandparent who was born in:

  • The United Kingdom

  • The Channel Islands or Isle of Man

  • Ireland (only if born before 31 March 1922)

  • On a UK-registered ship or aircraft

• Intend to work in the UK

• Be able to support yourself and any dependants without public funds

Qualifying Nationalities

You may apply if you are a:

• Commonwealth citizen

• British Overseas Citizen (BOC)

• British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC)

• British National (Overseas) (BN(O))

• Citizen of Zimbabwe

Commonwealth Countries List

This includes (but is not limited to):

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Grandparent Birthplaces That Don't Qualify

Even if your grandparent held British nationality, their place of birth must be within the UK or qualifying locations listed above. Places that do not qualify include:

• British Overseas Territories like Gibraltar, Bermuda, Falkland Islands

• Former colonies like Hong Kong, Kenya, or Nigeria

• UK military bases abroad

What You Can Do with This Visa

• Work without restrictions

• Study or switch jobs

• Bring dependants (spouse/children)

• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years

How to Apply

You must apply from outside the UK. Applications should include:

• Proof of your and your grandparent's birth certificates

• Marriage certificates (if applicable)

• Evidence of intent to work

• Proof of savings or means to support yourself

The current fee (as of 2025) is £637, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

How Long Can You Stay?

The UK Ancestry Visa is issued for 5 years, after which you can apply for settlement (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.

Final Reminder

Your grandparent's place of birth is the key—not just their nationality. Make sure their UK birth is properly documented.

Disclaimer

This information is based on publicly available resources, including gov.uk and UK legal commentary. Immigration laws can change, so always consult an accredited immigration advisor before applying.

Contact our team at Hextons Law for expert legal guidance on your eligibility and next steps.