Ancestry Visa

What is an Ancestry Visa? The Ancestry visa is an opportunity for Commonwealth nationals, whose parent/s or grandparent/s were born in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, to come to the UK to seek employment and eventually settle in the UK. The visa gives you the entitlement to live and work in the UK for a period of 5 years. After that time you may apply to become a permanent resident. To be eligible for this you will be expected to have spent five continuous years in full employment in the UK with only holidays spent abroad – no more than 90 days per year.

How Do I Apply for an Ancestry Visa? Once you have checked your eligibility, you will need to supply the British High Commission in your country of origin with the following documentation:

• Your full birth certificate
• Full birth certificate of the parent or grandparent through whose ancestry you are making your application
• Your marriage certificate, if you are married
• Marriage certificate of the parents or grandparents through whose ancestry you are making your application
• Legal adoption papers, if you or your parents were adopted
  
  Your application must be made in your country of origin or where you legally live.