What are the main requirements for settlement as a dependant of a person with UK ancestry?

Applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) as the family member of a person living in the UK with an Ancestry visa has some unique advantages.

Unlike the majority of other UK visa categories, both dependant partners and children may be eligible to apply for ILR at the same time as the main applicant holding the Ancestry visa, even if this is before the partner/child has themselves completed a period of 5 years’ residence in the UK.

At the same time, there is no absences regime for family members to qualify for ILR under the Ancestry route, i.e. they are not subject to the rules that they cannot be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period.

Family members will still have to demonstrate that their relationship with the main applicant is genuine and subsisting, and applicants aged 18-65 must demonstrate proficiency in the English language and pass the Life in the UK test.

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