How can I relocate to the UK based on my ancestry?

Eligibility and applying. A UK Ancestry Visa can only be applied for from outside of the UK.

In order to qualify for a UK Ancestry Visa, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

• You must be aged at least 17 years old on the date of your intended arrival to the UK (note that if you are under the age of 18, you will require parental/guardian consent to make your application);
• You are a Commonwealth citizen; You have a grandparent who was born in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) or before 31 March 1922 in the Republic of Ireland or on a British-registered ship or aircraft;
• You can and genuinely intend to work in the UK during the validity of the UK Ancestry Visa;
• You can adequately support and accommodate yourself and any dependants in the UK without recourse to public funds; and
• If applicable, depending on where you have been residing prior to application submission, you are demonstrably free from tuberculosis.

If your UK Ancestry Visa is granted, you will be granted permission to live and work in the UK for an initial 5-year period. You may bring your spouse, partner and/or dependent children under the age of 18 with you.

Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

After 5 years of residence in the UK under a UK Ancestry Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. At this point, you will need to demonstrate that:

• You have spent a continuous period of 5 years lawfully in the UK with a UK Ancestry Visa;
• You have not been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months throughout the relevant 5-year period of UK residence;
• You have been employed, self-employer or seeking employment in the UK at the date of application and throughout the relevant 5-year period of UK residence; and
• You have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson has extensive experience in all aspects of UK immigration law. If you have any queries relating to the blogs published, or are interested in talking to us about your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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