If you are a Commonwealth citizen with a grandparent born in the UK, the UK Ancestry visa may be the best route available to you. It gives 5 years to live and work in the UK with no sponsor, no salary threshold and no English test, and then leads to settlement. For many Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and South Africans it is simpler and cheaper than any work visa.
At a glance
| Who it is for | Commonwealth citizens (and some other British nationals and Zimbabweans) with a UK-born grandparent |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 or over |
| Sponsor or job offer | Not needed, but you must be able to and plan to work |
| Salary threshold | None |
| Visa fee | £726 per person |
| Health surcharge | £1,035 per adult per year, £776 per child per year |
| English | No requirement to get the visa |
| Length | 5 years |
| Settlement | After 5 years |
| Switching in | Not possible. You must apply from outside the UK |
Who can apply
You must be one of the following:
- a Commonwealth citizen (for example from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, India or Jamaica)
- a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or British National (Overseas)
- a citizen of Zimbabwe
The grandparent test
One of your grandparents must have been born in:
- the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- what is now the Republic of Ireland, before 31 March 1922
- a ship or aircraft registered in the UK or owned by the UK government
The grandparent can be on your mother’s or father’s side. Adoption counts, and it does not matter whether your parents or grandparents were married. You cannot claim ancestry through a step-parent.
Work and money
You must show that you are able to work and plan to work in the UK. You do not need a job offer, but evidence such as a CV, job applications or offers, or a business plan helps. You also need to show you can support and house yourself and any dependants without public funds. There is no fixed figure, so show savings and, ideally, accommodation arrangements.
The documents that make or break it
Most ancestry refusals come down to the paper trail. You need to show the chain from your grandparent to you:
- your full birth certificate, naming your parents
- your parent’s full birth certificate, naming your grandparent
- your grandparent’s birth certificate showing birth in the UK
- marriage, change of name or adoption documents where names differ
UK birth certificates can be ordered from the General Register Office or its Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents. Start this early, as old records can take weeks to obtain.
What it costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application, per person | £726 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per adult and £776 per child, per year |
| Indefinite leave to remain (after 5 years) | £3,226 per person |
The health surcharge is paid up front for the full 5 years. For a couple: 2 x £726 plus 2 x £5,175, so about £11,802. For a family of four with two children, about £21,014. Try the visa cost calculator.
How to apply, step by step
- Order the birth certificates that prove your line of descent.
- Prepare evidence that you can work and support yourself.
- Get a tuberculosis test if you live in a listed country.
- Apply online from outside the UK, up to 3 months before you travel, and pay the fee and health surcharge.
- Prove your identity at a visa application centre or through the app.
- Get a decision, usually within 3 weeks.
Life on the visa
- Work in any job, employed or self-employed, full or part time.
- Study.
- Bring your partner and children as dependants. Partners can work.
- You cannot claim most benefits.
Settlement after 5 years
After 5 years you can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you are still eligible, have been working or able to work, and meet the continuous residence rules (normally no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months). You will need to pass the Life in the UK test and meet the English requirement. If you are not ready to settle, you can extend for another 5 years. Use our absence calculator if you travel a lot.
Frequently asked questions
My grandparent was born in Northern Ireland. Does that count?
Yes. Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
My grandparent was born in Dublin in 1925. Does that count?
No. Births in what is now the Republic of Ireland only count if they were before 31 March 1922.
Can I switch to Ancestry while I am in the UK on another visa?
No. You must apply from outside the UK.
Do I need to keep working throughout?
You must intend to work, and at settlement you should be able to show that you have been working or seeking work. Taking time out is not automatically fatal, but keep records and take advice if you have long gaps.
Is it better than a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually yes, if you qualify: it is cheaper, gives complete job freedom and does not depend on an employer.
Sources
Talk to a regulated adviser
Every route has its own traps. A specialist can check your plan before you commit time and money to it.
Business and private client firmsBrowse all solicitorsLast checked: 4 November 2026 against GOV.UK. General information, not legal advice. See our disclaimer.