UK Ancestry Visa
If you are a Commonwealth citizen and have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you may be able to live and work in the UK on the basis of your UK Ancestry.
Eligibility:
In order to qualify for a UK Ancestry visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
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You are a Commonwealth citizen;
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You are aged 17 or over;
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You are able to provide proof that one of your grandparents was born in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, on a British-registered ship or aircraft or in the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922;
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Any such grandparent is your blood grandparent or grandparent by reason of an adoption recognised by the laws of the United Kingdom relating to adoption.
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In addition to satisfying a maintenance and accommodation requirement, you will also need to satisfy the Home Office that you are able to work and intend to take or seek employment or self-employment in the United Kingdom.
Duration of Visa:
UK Ancestry visas can only be obtained from outside the UK. You cannot switch into the category if you are already in the UK on another visa.
You can claim UK Ancestry if either you or the relevant parent were adopted or were born within or outside marriage in the UK. However, you cannot claim through step-parents.
You do not have to be working at the time you apply, but you must be able to prove that you can work and genuinely intend to take or seek employment in the UK.
If your application for a UK Ancestry visa is successful, you will be granted leave to enter the UK for a period of up to 5 years.
You will be able to work, study and be joined by your dependent family members.
After 5 years residence in the UK, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
If you wish to obtain advice or legal assistance in respect of your immigration matter, we offer an affordable and confidential consultation at a fixed fee with and experienced immigration lawyer where we can answer your questions and explain the processes that will apply. Your consultation fees will be set off against your instructions to the firm if you go on to instruct us.
For more information or to book an initial consultation, please contact us.