UK Ancestry Visa (Five-Year Route)


What is the UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa is a route for Commonwealth citizens to live and work in the United Kingdom based on ancestral connection.

An applicant may qualify where one of their grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or, under defined circumstances, in what is now Ireland or on a British-registered ship or aircraft.


Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a UK Ancestry Visa, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

Personal requirements

  • Be 17 years of age or over.
  • Be a Commonwealth citizen.
  • Intend to live and work in the UK, either in employment or self-employment.
  • Be able to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds.

Ancestry requirements

Have at least one grandparent who was born:

  • in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man; or
  • before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland; or
  • on a ship or aircraft that was registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government.


Application Process

To apply for a UK Ancestry Visa, applicants must complete an online application, submit supporting documents and attend a biometric appointment.

Step 1: Online Application

The application must be submitted online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system, up to 3 months before the intended travel date. As part of the application, the applicant must prepare and upload all required supporting documents confirming identity, ancestry, financial circumstances, and intention to work in the UK.

Where applicable, applicants must also provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, issued by a UKVI-approved clinic, if they are applying from a country listed by the UK government as requiring TB screening and intend to stay in the UK for more than six months.

Typical supporting documents may include:

  • A valid passport or travel document
  • Full birth certificates showing the family link between the applicant, their parent, and the qualifying grandparent
  • The birth certificate of the qualifying grandparent, confirming place and date of birth
  • Evidence of Commonwealth citizenship
  • Documents demonstrating a genuine intention and ability to work in the UK, such as a CV, job offer, or evidence of self-employment plans
  • Financial evidence showing the ability to maintain and accommodate oneself and any dependants without recourse to public funds
  • A TB test certificate, where required
  • Where applicable, documents relating to dependants

All documents must be genuine and, where not in English or Welsh, accompanied by a certified translation.

Step 2: Payment of Fees

During the online application, the applicant must pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in full. Both payments are mandatory and must be settled before the application can proceed.

Step 3: Biometric appointment

After submission and payment, the applicant must book and attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) outside the UK. At this appointment, fingerprints and a facial photograph will be taken, and supporting documents will either be uploaded in advance or submitted on the day, depending on the VAC procedure.

Step 4 – Decision and visa issuance

UKVI will assess the application once biometrics and documents have been submitted. If approved, entry clearance will be granted and immigration status issued following arrival in the UK.


Processing Time

For applications made outside the UK, decisions are typically issued within around 3 weeks of the biometric appointment, subject to individual circumstances, application volumes, and location.


Visa Fees

Applicants are required to pay two mandatory government fees at the time of application:

  • A visa application fee, currently £682 for a standard application made outside the UK.
  • The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), payable upfront, typically £1,035 per year of the visa’s duration, which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service.

The total amount payable will depend on the length of the visa granted and the number of applicants, including any dependants.


Speak to LNvisa

Every UK Ancestry Visa application is assessed on its own facts. Ancestry evidence, work intentions, and financial circumstances can all affect eligibility and long-term outcomes.

LNvisa provides tailored immigration advice to individuals and families, taking into account their personal background and future plans in the UK.

If you would like professional guidance on your UK Ancestry Visa application, or wish to assess your eligibility before applying, our team would be pleased to assist.