Commonwealth citizens? United Kingdom ancestry?
When asked to advise on ancestry visas, some inform that they were/are under the impression that they would qualify only through a paternal grandparent, which is incorrect!
(Note the importance of grandparents born before 31 March 1922 in Ireland)
So, for those who need authority for this aspect, we have decided to ‘post’ the whole of paragraph 186 of the UK Immigration Rules, which reads as follows:
186.The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom on the grounds of his United Kingdom ancestry are that he:
(i) is a Commonwealth citizen; and
(ii) is aged 17 or over; and
(iii) is able to provide proof that one of his grandparents was born in the United Kingdom and ISLANDS and that any such grandparent is the applicant’s blood grandparent or grandparent by reason of an adoption recognised by the laws of the United Kingdom relating to adoption; and
(iv) is able to work and intends to take or seek employment in the United Kingdom; and
(v) will be able to maintain and accommodate himself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and
(vi) holds a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity.
“ISLANDS” refers to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. If the grandparent was born before 31 March 1922 in Ireland; an ancestry visa will be issued subject to meeting the rest of the criteria.
Daniel Dippenaar, Barrister-Immigration Consultant 15 February 2019