UK Ancestry Visa: Complete Guide 2025
Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent can live and work in the UK for 5 years, leading to permanent residence and British citizenship.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer these questions to see if you qualify for a UK Ancestry visa
What is the UK Ancestry Visa?
The UK Ancestry visa is a special route for Commonwealth citizens who have at least one grandparent born in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and eventually British citizenship.
🇬🇧 Key Benefits of UK Ancestry Visa
- Work Freedom: Can work in any job in the UK (no sponsor needed)
- Family Inclusion: Bring spouse/partner and children under 18
- Path to Citizenship: Leads to ILR and British citizenship
- NHS Access: Full healthcare benefits (with health surcharge)
- No Cap: No annual limit on ancestry visas issued
Commonwealth Countries Eligible
You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country to apply for the UK Ancestry visa.
Plus 30+ other Commonwealth nations. Check if your country is Commonwealth-eligible.
UK Ancestry Citizenship Costs: Complete Breakdown
Detailed Cost Breakdown:
Ancestry Visa Application
RequiredInitial 5-year ancestry visa for Commonwealth citizens with UK grandparent
Current fee £516. Only available to Commonwealth citizens
Document Collection
RequiredUK grandparent birth certificate and family lineage documents
UK birth certificates £11 each. May need international document orders
English Language Test
RequiredA2 level English test for ancestry visa application
Lower requirement (A2) than citizenship (B1). Some exemptions available
Health Surcharge
RequiredImmigration Health Surcharge for access to NHS
£624 per year x 5 years = £3,120. Paid upfront with visa application
Indefinite Leave to Remain
RequiredSettlement application after 5 years on ancestry visa
Must meet employment and residence requirements for 5 years
Life in the UK Test
RequiredCitizenship test required for naturalization application
Required for citizenship application after getting ILR
B1 English Test
RequiredHigher level English test required for citizenship
B1 level required for citizenship (higher than A2 for visa)
Citizenship Application
RequiredBritish citizenship by naturalization after ILR
Same process as other naturalization routes
Citizenship Ceremony
RequiredFinal ceremony to receive British citizenship
Must attend ceremony within 3 months of approval
Legal/Professional Assistance
OptionalImmigration lawyer or specialist help with applications
Recommended for complex cases or employment issues
Important Cost Considerations:
- Total process takes 5+ years from ancestry visa to citizenship
- Must maintain continuous employment in the UK throughout the 5 years
- Commonwealth citizenship required - includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.
- Grandparent must have been born in UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man
- Health surcharge is substantial (£3,120) but provides NHS access
- Post-Brexit, UK citizenship no longer provides EU rights but still valuable globally
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
- Order documents yourself instead of using agencies (save $200-500)
- Do translations through certified freelancers vs law firms (save $300-800)
- Apply directly to consulates rather than through services (save $1000+)
- Research your family tree yourself before hiring genealogists
UK Ancestry Visa Requirements
You Qualify If:
- You are a citizen of a Commonwealth country
- At least one grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man
- You are aged 17 or over
- You can support yourself financially without public funds
- You intend to take employment in the UK
You Don't Qualify If:
- You are not a Commonwealth citizen
- Your grandparent was not born in the UK
- You cannot prove the relationship to your UK grandparent
- You have serious criminal convictions
- You cannot financially support yourself in the UK
Important: What Counts as "Born in the UK"
Your grandparent must have been born in:
- England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
- Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey)
- Isle of Man
Does NOT include: Crown Dependencies born elsewhere, British territories, or grandparents who were only British citizens but born outside the UK.
UK Ancestry Visa Process: Step-by-Step
Verify Ancestry Eligibility
Confirm you have UK-born grandparent and Commonwealth citizenship
💡 Tip: Must be Commonwealth citizen with UK grandparent born in UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man
Gather Required Documents
Collect birth certificates proving lineage to UK grandparent
💡 Tip: May need to order certificates from UK General Register Office
English Language Requirement
Take approved English test or provide qualifying education evidence
💡 Tip: A2 level required for ancestry visa, B1 for citizenship later
Apply for Ancestry Visa
Submit UK Ancestry visa application online
💡 Tip: Current visa fee is £516. Processing times vary by country
Move to UK and Work
Relocate to UK and establish employment/residence
💡 Tip: Must work in UK for 5 years before eligible for settlement
Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain
Apply for permanent residence after 5 years on ancestry visa
💡 Tip: Must meet continuous residence and employment requirements
Apply for British Citizenship
After ILR, apply for citizenship by naturalization
💡 Tip: Includes Life in UK test (£50) and citizenship fee (£1,330) plus ceremony (£80)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Commonwealth countries are eligible for UK Ancestry visas?
All Commonwealth countries are eligible, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and many others. You must be a citizen (not just resident) of a Commonwealth country.
What if my grandparent was adopted or the birth certificate is missing?
Adoption documents can establish the relationship. If birth certificates are missing, you may need alternative evidence like baptismal records, school records, or statutory declarations. The UK General Register Office can help locate birth certificates.
How much does the UK Ancestry visa process cost in total?
Total costs range from £7,000-10,000 including visa fees (£516), health surcharge (£3,120), documents (£100-400), English tests (£150-250), ILR (£2,404), and citizenship application (£1,330 + £50 + £80). Use our cost calculator above for a personalized estimate.
Can I bring my family on a UK Ancestry visa?
Yes, you can include your spouse/partner and children under 18 on your application. They'll get the same 5-year visa and can also apply for ILR and citizenship later. Additional health surcharge applies for each family member.
Do I need a job offer before applying for UK Ancestry visa?
No, you don't need a job offer before applying. However, you must demonstrate that you intend to work in the UK and can support yourself financially. You can look for work after arriving in the UK on your ancestry visa.
What happens after 5 years on the UK Ancestry visa?
After 5 years of continuous residence and employment, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship by naturalization, which includes taking the Life in the UK test.
Ready to Explore Your UK Ancestry Route?
Learn about the UK Ancestry visa and path to British citizenship