Eligibility quiz
Was one of your grandparents born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in the United Kingdom
You can live in the United Kingdom for five years.
You can apply to extend your stay repeatedly for another five years at a time if you continue to meet the requirements.
Study in the United Kingdom
You can study at any level for any number of hours, and your school or college does not need to sponsor your stay.
Work in the United Kingdom
You can work for an employer or for yourself, full-time or part-time, in paid or unpaid work.
You do not need a sponsor or further permission to work.
Travel and return
You can leave and return to the United Kingdom while your permission is valid.
Permanent residence after five years
After five continuous years in the United Kingdom, you may apply for permanent residence if you meet the requirements.
Usually, you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the United Kingdom in any 12-month period.
Vote in elections
Some citizens of Commonwealth countries with permission to stay can register and vote, depending on their age, residence and the election.
Use public healthcare
After paying the health surcharge, or if exempt, you can use NHS care during your stay.
Some charges that residents also pay may still apply.
How to apply
From outside the United KingdomFrom outside the United Kingdom
Open the application form
Open the online form called “UK Ancestry, Right of Abode or Returning Residents visa”. Apply before you travel, normally no more than three months before your planned journey.
Open the formGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your UK Ancestry visa application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Create an account as directed and fill in your application online.
Open the applicationPay the fees online
Pay the visa fee and the immigration health charge online as directed in your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the UK Ancestry visa fee and immigration health charge when applying from outside the UK?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application online.
Submit the applicationProvide your documents
Follow the checklist given with your application. Upload your documents if the service offers this, or prepare to provide them at your appointment.
Find document instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I upload documents for a UK Ancestry visa application from outside the UK?”
Book an appointment
When prompted, book an identity appointment at a visa application centre serving the country where you live. If there is no centre there, you can choose one in another country.
Find a visa centreGo to your appointment
Bring your passport or travel document and any required documents you have not uploaded to the visa application centre. Give your fingerprints and have your photograph taken.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my UK Ancestry visa application centre appointment?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision email and respond if you are asked for more information or documents.
Find waiting timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a UK Ancestry visa decision take when applying from outside the UK?”
Travel to the UK
Once your visa is granted, travel to the UK and enter while your permission is valid. Your visa lets you live and work in the UK, subject to its conditions.
Find travel instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to the UK after my UK Ancestry visa is granted?”
Once in the United KingdomOnce in the United Kingdom
Follow your visa conditions
After you arrive, follow the conditions in your decision and online immigration status record. You can live and work under the visa, but you cannot use public funds.
Find status instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use my UK Ancestry visa online immigration status after arriving in the UK?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate and the full birth certificates of your parent and your grandparent who was born in the UK. If you or your parent was adopted, add the legal adoption papers.
Name change records *
Provide evidence of your parent’s or grandparent’s name change. This could be a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or deed poll.
* Only if your parent or grandparent changed their name.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Clearance for some studies
Before studying certain sensitive subjects, you must get an ATAS certificate, unless you are exempt.
Limits on public funds
You cannot claim most benefits or get housing or homelessness help from public funds.
Your partner and children on dependant permission generally cannot claim most public funds or the State Pension.
Travel document details
To travel, you must use a valid passport or travel document linked to your UKVI account and keep your eVisa details correct.
Permission can end
Your permission ends when it expires unless it is extended or replaced, or when you get permanent residence or another permission.
It can be cancelled or shortened for serious breaches, deception, criminality, deportation or other grounds.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
UK Visas and Immigration 🇬🇧
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Join on Facebookr/ukvisa
English Reddit group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Join on RedditUK Visas And Immigration
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated