You can apply for entry clearance for a UK ancestry visa if you are a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over who wishes to come to work in the UK on the basis of having a grandparent born in the UK and the Islands. Eligible applicants are normally granted 5-year entry clearance. Towards the end of the 5-year period, they can apply for either an extension of stay or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). An application for entry clearance as a UK Ancestry migrant is made in accordance with requirements as set out in Appendix UK Ancestry to the Immigration Rules.
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Free Immigration Advice for the UK Ancestry Visa
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5 minutes of free, one-off immigration advice regarding your UK Ancestry visa. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your UK Ancestry visa.
Requirements for a UK Ancestry Visa
An applicant for entry clearance for a UK Ancestry migrant must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. They must:
Valid application: The applicant must submit a valid UK Ancestry visa application.
Commonwealth Citizen: The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen on the date of application.
Grandparent born in the UK or the Islands: The applicant must have a grandparent born in the UK or the Islands. You can claim ancestry if your relationship to the relevant grandparent is in the legitimate or illegitimate line. You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents, but you can apply if you or your parent (through whom you are claiming ancestry) are adopted. You must show evidence of the legal adoption with your application form.
Work requirement: The applicant must be able to work and intend to seek and take employment in the UK.
Suitability requirements: The applicant must not fall for refusal under Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.
Financial Requirement: The decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant can and will adequately maintain and accommodate themselves, and any dependants in the UK, or applying for entry clearance, without recourse to public funds. Funds must be shown as specified in Appendix Finance.
Tuberculosis Test Certificate: The applicant should provide a Tuberculosis test certificate where required under Appendix Tuberculosis of the Immigration Rules.
Citizenship, Age and Ancestry Requirements
The requirements relating to citizenship, age and ancestry for the UK Ancestry visa are contained in paragraph 186(i) to (iii) of the Immigration Rules.
Commonwealth Citizen
The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen on the date of the application. To meet this requirement, the applicant must be one of the following:
- a British Overseas Territories citizen
- a British National (Overseas)
- a British Overseas citizen
- a British subject
- a citizen of a country listed in Schedule 3 to the British Nationality Act 1981
The applicant must prove this with a valid passport or travel document issued by a Commonwealth country. The applicant does not have to have been a Commonwealth citizen from birth – they can qualify if, for example, they have recently naturalised as a Commonwealth citizen.
Aged 17 Or Over
For a UK Ancestry entry clearance application, the applicant must be aged at least 17 on the date they intend to arrive in the UK. There is no upper age limit on the UK Ancestry route but, in all cases, the applicant
must show they are able to and intend to seek and take employment.
UK-born Grandparent
The applicant must be able to provide proof that one of their grandparents was born in the UK and Islands and is either the applicant’s blood grandparent, or grandparent by reason of a UK-recognised adoption. There is no requirement for the applicant’s relevant parent or qualifying grandparent to have been married at the time of birth.
An applicant cannot qualify on this route on the basis of having a great-grandparent, or more distant ancestor, born in the UK or Islands.
Meaning of ‘born in the UK and Islands’
To meet the requirement to have been born in the UK or Islands, the applicant’s qualifying grandparent must have been born in one of the following circumstances:
- in the UK
- in the Channel Islands (Bailiwick of Guernsey or Bailiwick of Jersey)
- in the Isle of Man
- in Ireland (but only if they were born before 31 March 1922)
- on a British-owned or registered ship or aircraft if the requirements of either section 50(7)(a) of the British Nationality Act 1981, or section 32(5) of the British Nationality Act 1948, as applicable, are met
Adoption
If the applicant or their parent is adopted, the applicant will meet the requirement to have a UK-born grandparent if either or both of the following apply:
- the applicant was legally adopted by someone who has a parent born in the UK and Islands
- one of the applicant’s parents was legally adopted by someone born in the UK and Islands
The adoption must be through an adoption process recognised as valid for the purposes of UK law. An applicant cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents where no legal adoption has taken place.
Work Requirement
All applicants on the UK Ancestry route must be able to work and intend to seek and take employment in the UK. The work can include part-time and voluntary work. The applicant does not have to be working or have a confirmed job at the time they apply. They need only demonstrate they are able to work and intend to seek and take employment. Evidence of this could include, but is not limited to:
- job offers from UK employers
- evidence of previous work history (in any country) or relevant qualifications
- evidence of applications they have made to UK employers
- evidence of registration with a UK recruitment agency
- evidence of any steps they have undertaken to improve their chances of finding work – for example, relevant training courses
- a business plan or expressions of interest from potential clients (if they intend to be self-employed)
Financial Requirement
All applicants on the UK Ancestry route must meet the financial requirement. There is no set level of funds the applicant must hold, but they must show they can maintain and accommodate themselves, and any family members applying to join them in the UK, without access to public funds. Evidence of finances must be as set out in Immigration Rules: Appendix Finance and be dated no more than 31 days before the date of application. Applicants can also rely on credible support from a third party (for example, a relative or friend) to meet this requirement.
How Can I Challenge the Refusal of My UK Ancestry Visa Entry Clearance?
If your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance has been refused and you believe that the reasons for the refusal are unjustified and not in accordance with relevant laws and facts, you can file an Administrative Review (AR) of the refusal decision within 28 days. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can represent you in your Administrative Review (AR) of the refusal of your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance.
How Can We Help With a UK Ancestry Visa UK Entry Clearance Application?
Our team of immigration solicitors specialises in providing expert immigration advice and legal representation for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application. We offer our services on a fixed fee basis, ensuring transparency and clarity throughout the process. Here's what our fixed fee covers and the services you can expect:
Advice on Requirements: Our immigration solicitors will guide you through the requirements for a successful UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.
Document Guidance: Our immigration solicitors will prepare and provide you with a comprehensive list of supporting documents required for your application.
Documents Assessment: Our immigration solicitors will meticulously review all your documents to ensure they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Application Form Completion: Our immigration solicitors will complete the relevant application forms for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.
Priority Service Submission: Whenever feasible, we will submit your online entry clearance application through priority service to expedite the decision-making process.
Arranging a Biometrics Appointment: After you submit your online application, our immigration solicitors will arrange an appointment at the application centre to facilitate biometric enrolment.
Detailed Cover Letter: Our specialist team of immigration solicitors will draft a detailed cover letter outlining how your application satisfies all legal requirements for approval.
Online Document Upload: Before your biometric enrolment appointment, our immigration solicitors will ensure that all supporting documents are uploaded online for UKVI's consideration.
Follow-Up Support: We'll handle all follow-up tasks and communications until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) decides on your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.
With our dedicated team of immigration solicitors, you can trust that your application process will be managed efficiently and effectively, providing you with the best chance of success in obtaining your UK UK Ancestry visa.
Why Choose Us for Your Entry Clearance Application?
Our team of immigration solicitors specialises in handling visa entry clearance applications. Here are several reasons why you should choose our immigration solicitors and lawyers in London for dealing with your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application:
Expertise: Our team has a deep understanding of the constantly evolving UK immigration laws and regulations. We stay up to date on the latest developments to ensure your case is handled with the highest level of expertise. Our specialist team of fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors, who have extensive experience in dealing with UK Ancestry visa entry clearance applications from outside the UK, will manage all aspects of your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.
Personalised Service: We recognise that each immigration case is unique. Therefore, we offer personalised solutions tailored to your specific circumstances.
Results-Driven Approach: Our primary goal is to achieve positive outcomes for our clients. We work tirelessly to maximise your chances of success in your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance.
Client-Centred Care: Your peace of mind is our priority. We provide clear communication, regular updates, and support throughout your immigration journey.
Remote Legal Services: Our immigration solicitors can provide the required legal services for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application, remotely from our London offices. Utilising modern technology, our specialist team of immigration solicitors and lawyers can handle your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application remotely, eliminating the need for you to visit our offices. While we are happy to welcome clients into our offices, we also offer remote legal services for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application, which can save you time and travel costs.
Open 7 Days A Week: We take pride in offering dedicated immigration advice and legal representation for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance applications, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Fast Track Visa Service: Our team of fast-track immigration solicitors can prepare and submit your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application via Priority or Super Priority Service for a faster decision.
Fixed Fees With Payment Plan: Our immigration solicitors and lawyers charge reasonable and affordable fixed fees for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance applications. We offer the option to pay our fixed fee in two instalments: half of the agreed-upon fixed fee is due upon commencement of our work, and the remaining half is payable once we have fully prepared your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application and it is ready for submission to the UKVI.
Choose our immigration solicitors in London for reliable, effective legal support with your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.
Specialist Immigration Solicitors
Our immigration solicitors are specialists in UK Ancestry visa entry clearance applications from outside the UK. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain UK Ancestry visa entry clearance. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application from outside the UK.
The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.
Meet Our Team of Immigration Solicitors in London
At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the UK Ancestry visa process with professionalism and care.
Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.
Arshad Mahmood
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorTushita Scalzullo
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorNargis Khodadady
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorAsad Malik
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorAlina Rizvi
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorVictoria Gbenoba
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorNazamah Munir Akhtar
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Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors
Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated UK Ancestry visa specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our London and Birmingham offices or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:
Our immigration lawyers are ready to assist you with your UK Ancestry visa and immigration matter. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.
Our Fees for UK Ancestry Visa Entry Clearance Application
Our fixed fee for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application ranges from £1,000 to £1,500 (VAT not applicable). Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application, including advising on documents, checking your documents, completing the application form and submitting the application online, booking an appointment for biometrics enrolment, preparing a cover letter in support of the application, uploading all supporting documents to be considered in support of the application, and carrying out all other follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application.
Our agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of your case and the volume of work involved in your entry clearance application. You will make an initial payment of half our fee when we start our work on your matter, and the remaining half is due once we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission.
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Ready to get started? Use the link below to request a fixed-fee quote tailored to your needs.
How to Engage Us for Your Immigration Matter?
You can instruct immigration solicitors in London at Premium Solicitors for your immigration matter by getting in contact with us using one of the following means of contact:
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FAQs - Entry Clearance For UK Ancestry Visa UK
The following are the various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UK Ancestry visa entry clearance from outside the UK:
