Entry Clearance For UK Ancestry Visa

You can apply for entry clearance for UK ancestry visa if you are a commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over who wish to come to work in the UK on the basis of having a grandparent born in the UK and Islands. Eligible applicants are normally given entry clearance for 5 years. Towards the end of the 5 years, they can apply either for an extension of stay or indefinite leave to remain.

Expert UK Ancestry Visa Solicitors

At Sunrise Solicitors, our expert UK Ancestry visa solicitors provide trusted legal support to secure your entry clearance with confidence. Our team guide clients through the entire entry clearance process. We assess your eligibility, prepare the required documents, and present a strong application to maximise your chances of success. Contact us for free advice on UK ancestry visa  or book a paid consultation for a smooth application. 

Who can Apply for UK Ancestry Visa

The applicant can apply for entry clearance for UK Ancestry visa if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• you are a Commonwealth citizen;
• you are aged 17 or over;
• you are able to work and you plan to work in the UK; and
• you can adequately support and accommodate yourself and your dependants without help from public funds – the Rights and responsibilities section explains what public funds are.

You must also show that at least 1 of your grandparents was born:

• in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man); or
• before 31 March 1922 in what is now the Republic of Ireland; or
• on a British-registered ship or aircraft.

You can claim ancestry if your relationship to the relevant grandparent is in the legitimate or illegitimate line.

Applicants 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.

UK Ancestry Visa Entry Clearance Requirement

To obtain a UK Ancestry visa, an applicant should be able to pass certain criteria established under the Immigration Rules. The following are its key requirements:  

• Valid Application: A UK Ancestry visa application requires the applicants to make a complete and valid application. 
• Commonwealth Citizenship: The applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country when they submit the application.  
• Grandparent born in the UK or Islands: An applicant will need to prove that one of the grandparents was born in the UK or Islands. 
•  Employment Capability: Applicants should be able to work in the UK and should have plans of seeking and obtaining employment in the UK. 
• Suitability Requirements: The candidate should not be subject to any of the refusal grounds identified in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules. 
•  Financial Stability: The applicants should show that they are financially stable to support and accommodate themselves and other dependants without depending on the state funds. The candidate must fulfil the required financial criteria as outlined in Appendix Finance.  
• Tuberculosis Test: A test certificate of Tuberculosis can be requested, which is outlined in the Immigration Rules in the Appendix T. 

Processing Time and Fast-Track Services

The standard processing time for the UK Ancestry Visa when applying for entry clearance is 3 weeks. However, applicants can get a faster decision if they opt for either priority or super priority service. 

• For priority service the applicant needs to pay £500 fee in addition to the main application fee. The priority service provides a decision within 5 working days. 
• For super priority service the applicant needs to pay £1000 fee in addition to the main application fee. The super priority service provides a decision by the end of next working day if the appointment is on a weekday and 2 working days if the appointment is on weekend or a holiday.  

Application Fee for UK Ancestry Visa

As of February 2025, the application fee for the UK Ancestry Visa is £637.

When applying the applicants are also required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee. This will provide them access to the National Health Service (NHS) while they are in the UK.

The IHS fee for an adult applicant is £1,035 per year and £776 per year for a child.

Since the Ancestry visa is initially granted for 5 years, the overall surcharge would amount to £5,175 for adults and £3,880 for children. 

How Can We Help You?

Our specialist team of UK Ancestry visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application. As your appointed legal representative for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application, our work can include the following:

• assessing your eligibility for UK Ancestry visa for UK by considering all the relevant eligibility requirements;
• advising on relevant documents to be submitted in support of the UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application;
• assessing the documentary evidence to ensure that the documents are in line with the Home Office UKVI requirements for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance;
• completing online application form for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance for UK;
• preparing a detailed cover letter in support of the entry clearance application to explain in detail how all the relevant requirements for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance have been satisfied by the applicant;
• submitting the UK Ancestry entry clearance application online, paying the Home Office UKVI fees for UK Ancestry visa application and booking applicant’s appointment with the relevant UK visa application centre;
• uploading all the supporting documents online in support of the UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application;
• doing all the follow up work including responding to any queries raised by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) until decision is reached on your UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application.

Our Fixed Fees For Entry Clearance For UK Ancestry Visa

Our fixed fees for entry clearance application for UK Ancestry visa are as given in the fee table below:

The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the UK Ancestry visa entry clearance application. The volume of casework involved in the application. In addition to our fixed fee for UK Ancestry visa entry clearance, the applicant also has to pay the Home office UKVI fees for the UK visa entry clearance application.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Who qualifies for UK ancestry visa?

The UK ancestry visa is a visa offered to Commonwealth citizens. The age should be 17 and above with ancestral ties to the UK. To qualify, the applicant must have a grandparent who was either born in the UK or Islands, or on a British-registered ship or aircraft. Applicants must also demonstrate their intention to work in the UK while also meeting the financial requirements. 

How long does UK entry clearance take?

The processing time for the Ancestry visa from outside the UK is 3 weeks. However, applicants can get a faster decision by choosing either priority or super priority service. 

How much is the entry clearance visa fee for the UK?

The fee for UK ancestry Visa is £637. Along with that the applicants are required to pay the IHS fee i.e. £1,035 per year for an adult and £776 per year for a child.  

Can I extend my UK Ancestry Visa?

Yes, if an applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria they can apply to extend their visa for 5 years. 

Can you get married on a UK ancestry visa?

Yes, an applicant can get married if they are living in the UK on ancestry visa. After living in the UK for 5 years, the applicant can apply for settlement.