You must prove that you: are 17 or over have enough money without help from public funds to support and house yourself and any dependants can and plan to work in the UK Your ancestry You must show that you have a grandparent born in one of the following circumstances: in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland on a ship or aircraft that was either registered in the UK or belonged to the UK government You can claim ancestry if: you or your parent were adopted your parents or grandparents were not married You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. A ‘dependant’ is any of the following: your partner your child under 18 your child aged 18 or over who was previously on your or your partner’s visa as a dependant You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply. Your partner You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you: communicate regularly with each other support each other financially care for any children you have together spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events Your child They must: live with you (unless they’re in full time education at boarding school, college or university) not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children be supported by you without using public funds Apply from outside the UK Your partner or child must apply online . They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application. They may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa) If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either: at the same time as you at any time before their current visa expires This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay. They cannot apply to switch if they’re currently in the UK: on a visitor visa on a Short-term study visa on a Parent of a Child Student visa on a Seasonal Worker visa on a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa on immigration bail because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds If they’re in one of those categories, they must leave the UK and apply for a UK Ancestry visa from abroad . If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either: completed the course they were sponsored to study studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. Children born while you’re in the UK If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen . You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK. You can apply online for their dependant visa . You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child. You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents. What your partner or child can and cannot do Your partner or child can: work, except as a sportsperson or coach study travel abroad and return to the UK apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if they’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension. If their application is successful, they’ll get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide: a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or another valid travel document your full birth certificate the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on evidence that you’re planning to work in the UK, for example job offers you’ve received or a business plan if you’re self-employed evidence, such as bank statements, that prove you can support yourself and any dependants in the UK - it must be dated within 31 days from when you submit your application Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide: evidence that your parents or grandparents have changed their name since birth, for example marriage or civil partnership certificates or a deed poll legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take a TB test proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

You can apply to extend your visa and stay in the UK for a further 5 years. You must apply before your current visa expires. You can extend this visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements . You can also apply to settle in the UK permanently if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa. Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. Fees For each person applying you’ll need to pay: the £1,258 application fee the healthcare surcharge Providing biometric information and supporting documents When you apply online, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo) - there’s no fee for this. You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment Extend your visa online You must apply online to extend your visa. Apply online Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. After you apply Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision .

Apply for indefinite leave to remain ('settlement')

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve spent 5 years in the UK on a UK Ancestry visa. Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship. Eligibility You can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve spent 5 continuous years in the UK on an Ancestry visa. In most cases you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 month period. If you think you’re affected by this rule, find out how to calculate your time in the UK (‘continuous residence’). You must also prove you: have enough money to support yourself and your dependants can, and plan to, work in the UK are still a Commonwealth citizen If you’re not eligible with an Ancestry visa, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain . Knowledge of language and life in the UK If you’re 18 to 64 you’ll need to: meet the English language requirements book and pass the Life in the UK Test When to apply The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve been in the UK for 5 years on your Ancestry visa. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier. Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first . Fees and how long it takes It costs £2,885 for each person applying. You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this. You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Get a faster decision on your application You can pay to use the super priority service to get a faster decision. It costs an extra £1,000 to get a decision: by the end of the next working day after providing your fingerprints and photo (known as ‘biometric information’) if your appointment is on a weekday 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. Apply online You must apply for indefinite leave to remain online . You can include your partner and children on the same application form, if they’re eligible. You must be in the UK to apply. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Get help applying online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. Family members Your partner and children can apply for indefinite leave to remain as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. A dependant is any of the following: your partner your child under 18 your child aged 18 or over who was previously on your or your partner’s visa as a dependant You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply. They cannot apply for indefinite leave to remain if they’re currently in the UK: on a visitor visa on a Short-term study visa on a Parent of a Child Student visa on a Seasonal Worker visa on a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa on immigration bail because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds If your family member is in one of these categories, they must leave the UK and apply for a UK Ancestry visa as a dependant instead . Your partner Your partner must: book and pass the Life in the UK test meet the English language requirements You must also be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply and you cannot live together - for example because it’s illegal in your country If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you: communicate regularly with each other support each other financially care for any children you have together spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events Your child They must: live with you (unless they’re in full time education at boarding school, college or university) not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children be supported by you without using public funds Children 18 and over You can only include older children in your application if all of the following apply: they’re currently a dependant (as a child) on your or your partner’s visa they were under 18 when they got permission to be in the UK as your dependant they still do not live an independent life - for example, they have not got married or had children They must also: book and pass the Life in the UK test meet the English language requirements If you already have indefinite leave to remain or you’re now a British citizen If you’re already settled in the UK (with either indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship), your partner and children can apply for indefinite leave to remain as long as your last visa was a UK Ancestry visa. They must already be in the UK. Otherwise, your partner and children will need to apply for indefinite leave to remain a different way. Find out about the other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain . After you apply You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment Any children aged 6 or over must provide biometric information if you’re applying for them on your form. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Getting a decision You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer than 6 months, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction If your application is approved You can do the following: work run a business study use public services, such as healthcare and schools apply for public funds (benefits) and pensions apply for British citizenship , usually after a minimum of 12 months If you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years You can lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years at a time. You may need to apply before you can return to the UK .

UK Ancestry visa

Q: Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a UK Ancestry visa before you travel to the UK. When to apply The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK. Apply online As part of your online application, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment. The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application. You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply online How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision .

Overview

You can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if you’re one of the following:

You must also:

prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
meet the other eligibility requirements

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Fees

A UK Ancestry visa costs £637.

Healthcare surcharge

You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.

Applying to stay longer in the UK

If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may be able to either:

apply to extend your visa for a further 5 years
apply to settle permanently in the UK (apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

What you can and cannot do

With a UK Ancestry visa you can:

work
study
bring your partner or child

Your work can be:

paid or voluntary
full-time or part time
in self-employment or in a job where you’re employed by someone else

You cannot:

change (‘switch’) into this visa if you came to the UK on a different visa
get public funds

View a printable version of the whole guide

UK Ancestry visa

Overview

How long it will take

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

How long you can stay

Applying to stay longer in the UK

What you can and cannot do

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Cookies on GOV.UK

UK Ancestry visa

Overview

How long it will take

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

How long you can stay

Applying to stay longer in the UK

What you can and cannot do

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK