The UK Ancestry Visa offers Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent a unique pathway to live, work, and settle in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive guidance covers everything you need to know about eligibility requirements, the application process, fees (£682 plus Immigration Health Surcharge), renewal options, and the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years. Whether you're exploring your British heritage or planning long-term settlement, this guide provides the practical information you need for a successful application.
UK Ancestry Visa Guidance 2026
The UK Ancestry Visa (also known as the ancestral visa) is one of the most flexible immigration routes available, allowing holders to work in any role, start a business, or study without restrictions. Unlike most work visas, it doesn't require employer sponsorship and provides a direct pathway to permanent settlement. The visa is initially granted for five years, after which holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.
What is a UK Ancestry Visa?
The UK Ancestry Visa is an immigration route for Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over who can prove at least one grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or pre-1922 Ireland. It allows unrestricted work and study rights for five years, with a clear pathway to permanent settlement and British citizenship.
The Ancestry Visa stands out from other UK immigration routes because it offers complete employment flexibility. Holders can work in any occupation—skilled or unskilled—start their own business, or pursue self-employment without needing a sponsor. This makes it particularly valuable for citizens of countries like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada who have British heritage.
UK Ancestry Visa Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply for a UK Ancestry Visa?
You can apply if you are a Commonwealth citizen (or British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national overseas, or citizen of Zimbabwe), aged 17 or over, with at least one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland before 31 March 1922. You must also intend to work in the UK and be able to support yourself financially.
Meeting the UK Ancestry Visa requirements involves demonstrating several key criteria. The Home Office will assess your nationality, ancestral connection, age, work intentions, and financial circumstances.
- Nationality: Must be a Commonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas), or citizen of Zimbabwe
- Age: Must be 17 years or older at the time of application
- Ancestral Connection: At least one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or pre-1922 Republic of Ireland
- Work Intention: Must demonstrate ability and intention to work in the UK (job offer, business plan, or evidence of job-seeking capability)
- Financial Requirement: Ability to support yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds
UK Ancestry Visa Document Requirements
You must provide comprehensive supporting documents to prove your eligibility. The key documents include:
How to Apply for a UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry Visa application must be submitted from outside the UK—you cannot switch to this visa from another visa type while in the country. Applications are made online through the official gov.uk portal.
- Step 1: Gather all required documents proving your ancestry chain
- Step 2: Complete the online application form on gov.uk (up to 3 months before travel)
- Step 3: Pay the application fee (£682) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£5,175 for 5 years)
- Step 4: Book and attend your biometrics appointment at a visa application centre
- Step 5: Upload or submit your supporting documents
- Step 6: Wait for decision (typically 3 weeks for standard processing)
UK Ancestry Visa Fees 2026
The total cost of a UK Ancestry Visa includes both the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which must be paid upfront for the full five-year visa period.
Standard processing time is approximately 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority services may be available in some countries to reduce this to 5 working days for an additional £500. For the latest fee information, see the official gov.uk guidance.
UK Ancestry Visa Renewal and Extension
How Long Does an Ancestry Visa Last?
The UK Ancestry Visa is granted for five years. After this period, you can either apply for a further five-year extension (renewal) or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you've met the continuous residence requirement. Most applicants choose to apply for ILR rather than extend, as it costs less overall and provides permanent residence.
If you wish to extend your UK Ancestry Visa rather than apply for settlement, you can apply for a further five years. Unlike the initial application, extensions are made from inside the UK. You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements and demonstrate that you have been working or actively seeking employment during your stay.
UK Ancestry Visa Extension Fees and Process
Apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You can apply using the appropriate FLR form. Note that you cannot travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) while your extension application is pending—doing so will automatically withdraw your application.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on Ancestry Visa
Can I Get ILR on an Ancestry Visa?
Yes, the UK Ancestry Visa provides a direct pathway to settlement. After five years of continuous residence in the UK on an Ancestry Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You must pass the Life in the UK Test, meet the English language requirement, and not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during your qualifying residence.
The Ancestry Visa is one of the few UK immigration routes that leads directly to permanent settlement. Unlike extending your visa (which costs £6,223), applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain costs £3,029 with no IHS required—making settlement significantly more economical in the long term.
ILR Requirements for Ancestry Visa Holders
- Continuous Residence: 5 years in the UK with no more than 180 days absence in any 12-month period (see continuous residence requirements)
- Life in the UK Test: Must pass the test demonstrating knowledge of British customs and history
- English Language: B1 level proficiency in speaking and listening (see English requirements)
- Employment: Must have been working, self-employed, or actively seeking employment throughout your stay
- Financial Stability: Continued ability to support yourself without public funds
Ancestry Visa ILR Fees and Timeline
You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before completing your 5-year qualifying period. Use the appropriate ILR application form. For detailed processing time information, see the ILR processing time guide.
Path to British Citizenship
After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. This means the typical timeline from first arriving in the UK on an Ancestry Visa to becoming a British citizen is approximately 6 years: 5 years to ILR plus 1 year with ILR before citizenship eligibility.
- Application fee is £682 plus £5,175 IHS for 5 years (total £5,857)
- Must have a grandparent (not great-grandparent) born in the UK or qualifying territory
- Cannot apply from inside the UK—initial applications must be made from overseas
- Direct pathway to ILR after 5 years (£3,029, no IHS required)
- British citizenship possible after 6 years total (5 years + 1 year with ILR)
For comprehensive fee information across all UK visa categories, see the Home Office fees guide. Family members can apply as dependants and will be granted the same length of leave as the main applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK Ancestry Visa and who can apply?
The UK Ancestry Visa is an immigration route for Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over who have at least one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or what is now the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922. The visa allows unrestricted work and study rights for five years and provides a direct pathway to permanent settlement. British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British nationals (overseas), and citizens of Zimbabwe can also apply.
How much does a UK Ancestry Visa cost in 2026?
The UK Ancestry Visa costs £682 for the application fee plus £5,175 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the 5-year visa period, totalling £5,857 for adult applicants. Children under 18 pay £682 plus £3,880 IHS. Priority processing (5 working days) costs an additional £500 where available. Extension applications cost £1,048 plus £5,175 IHS.
How long does an Ancestry Visa last and can it be extended?
The UK Ancestry Visa is granted for five years. After this period, you can either apply for a further five-year extension (£1,048 plus IHS) or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you've met the continuous residence requirement. Most applicants choose ILR as it costs less (£3,029 with no IHS) and provides permanent residence rights.
Can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on an Ancestry Visa?
Yes, the UK Ancestry Visa provides a direct route to settlement. After five years of continuous residence (with no more than 180 days absence in any 12-month period), you can apply for ILR. You must also pass the Life in the UK Test, meet B1 English language requirements, and demonstrate continued work or self-employment. The ILR application costs £3,029 with no Immigration Health Surcharge required.
Can I apply for an Ancestry Visa from inside the UK?
No, initial UK Ancestry Visa applications must be made from outside the UK. You cannot switch to an Ancestry Visa from another visa type while in the country. However, if you already hold an Ancestry Visa, you can apply to extend it or apply for ILR from within the UK. Family members who are already in the UK on a different visa may need to leave and apply for an Ancestry dependant visa from overseas.
Can I bring my family to the UK on an Ancestry Visa?
Yes, your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children under 18 can apply to join you in the UK as dependants. Each family member must submit a separate application and pay their own visa fee (£682) and Immigration Health Surcharge. Partners must provide evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship. Dependants are granted the same length of leave as the main applicant and can work and study in the UK.
How long can I be outside the UK on an Ancestry Visa?
While holding an Ancestry Visa, you can travel freely in and out of the UK. However, if you plan to apply for ILR, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your five-year qualifying residence. Excessive absences can reset your continuous residence calculation or require you to start a fresh qualifying period. Always calculate your absences carefully before applying for settlement.
How long does it take to get British citizenship through the Ancestry Visa route?
The typical timeline from arriving in the UK on an Ancestry Visa to becoming a British citizen is approximately six years: five years of continuous residence to qualify for ILR, plus at least one year with ILR before you can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship immediately upon receiving ILR without the additional one-year waiting period.