Ancestry

You may be able to apply if you are a Commonwealth citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British national overseas, or a citizen of Zimbabwe. You must also meet the eligibility requirements, including ancestry, age, financial support and work intention requirements.

If applying from outside the UK, you can usually expect a decision within 3 weeks after applying online, proving your identity and providing your documents.

You can stay in the UK for 5 years. After 5 years, you may be able to extend the visa for another 5 years or apply for indefinite leave to remain if you meet the relevant requirements.

You must show that you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man; before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland; or on a ship or aircraft registered in the UK or belonging to the UK government.

You can claim ancestry if you or your parent were adopted, or if your parents or grandparents were not married. You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents.

You can work, study, and bring eligible dependants. Your work can be paid or voluntary, full-time or part-time, employed or self-employed.

Your partner and children can apply to join or stay with you in the UK as your dependants if they are eligible.

A dependant can be your partner, your child under 18.

Your child must usually live with you, unless they are in full-time education at boarding school, college or university. They must not be married, in a civil partnership or have children, and they must be supported by you without public funds.

You must apply online before travelling to the UK. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

After applying online, proving your identity and providing your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending 5 continuous years in the UK on a UK Ancestry visa. The earliest you can usually apply is 28 days before you complete 5 years in the UK.