Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent can live and work in the UK for five years, then apply to settle.
Start the eligibility checkContact usThe government has announced a new Earned Settlement system. Under the proposals the default wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would be 10 years, with shorter or longer pathways depending on your route, earnings, record and use of public funds. UK Ancestry would remain a route with a five-year pathway. No start date has been published, and the current rules apply until the new rules are in force. Contact us to look at your position.
ILR and settlement helpCheck your positionWhat the UK Ancestry visa is
The UK Ancestry visa is for Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK. It lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to five years, bring your partner and children, and apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years. You do not need a job offer, a sponsor or a minimum salary.
The rules are in Appendix UK Ancestry of the Immigration Rules.
The main requirements
Commonwealth citizenship. You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Nigeria, Jamaica or Pakistan. Citizens of the United States are not eligible unless they also hold qualifying Commonwealth citizenship.
Age 17 or over.
A qualifying grandparent. One of your grandparents must have been born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or on a UK-registered ship or aircraft. In some cases, birth in what is now the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922 counts. The grandparent can be on your mother's or father's side, and the link can be through adoption or legitimacy in some cases.
Ability and intention to work. You must be able to work and plan to work in the UK, now or in the future.
Ability to support yourself. You must be able to live in the UK without relying on public funds. You do not need a fixed amount in savings, but you need to show a realistic plan and funds.
Why applications are refused
Ancestry applications are document-heavy, and the family trail is where problems arise:
Missing or non-matching birth, marriage or adoption certificates along the line from you to the grandparent;
Name changes or spelling differences that are not explained;
Certificates that are not originals or cannot be verified;
A grandparent born in Ireland after 1922, which does not qualify;
No clear plan to work, or doubt about whether you can support yourself.
We help you build the certificate chain and explain gaps before you pay the application fee.
Documents you will usually need
Your passport and proof of Commonwealth citizenship;
Your full birth certificate and your parent's birth certificate;
The birth certificate of the grandparent, or evidence of their birth in the UK;
The marriage certificates linking each generation, where names changed;
Adoption or legitimacy documents where relevant;
Evidence of how you will support yourself and your plans to work;
A tuberculosis test certificate if you come from a listed country;
Translations of any documents that are not in English.
Older records can be hard to find. Local registrars, national archives and family history services can help, and we advise on what is likely to be accepted.
Fees and costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK Ancestry visa application fee | See GOV.UK for the current fee |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per adult per year, paid up front for the grant length |
| Tuberculosis test | Varies by country |
| Birth, marriage and other certificates | Varies by registrar |
Our own fees are separate:
| Service | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Initial advice | £60 to £125 |
| Document check | £200 to £500 |
| Application support | £300 to £500 |
We agree scope and price in writing before work begins. Because the surcharge for a five-year grant is large, check eligibility first.
After you arrive: settlement
Under the current rules you can apply for ILR after five years in the UK if you still meet the requirements, including the English and Life in the UK tests and the residence rules. The government’s proposals recognise UK Ancestry as a British connection, so a five-year pathway is proposed to continue for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent. The mandatory standards would apply: no criminal record, no outstanding government debt, English at B2 and the Life in the UK test. No start date has been published. See our ILR application service. ILR can then lead to British citizenship; see British citizenship help.
Family members
Your partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants. They pay their own fees and surcharge. Their permission matches yours.
Is the Ancestry visa right for you?
The Ancestry visa suits people who want flexibility: you can work for any employer, be self-employed or study. Other routes may suit you better in some situations.
If you are young and eligible for a two- or three-year stay, see the Youth Mobility Scheme.
If you have a skilled job offer, see the Skilled Worker visa.
If you are a leader in your field, see Global Talent.
If your parent or grandparent was British, you may have a claim to British citizenship by descent. We can check this at initial advice.
How we help
Initial advice. We check citizenship, the grandparent link and your plans.
Document check. We review the certificate trail and find gaps.
Application support. We prepare the application and explain biometrics.
After the decision.We help with arrival, work and settlement planning.
Two minutes online.
Citizenship, grandparent and funds.
The certificate chain.
Prepared and submitted with you.
Arrival and settlement.
Applying from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and elsewhere
Most Ancestry applicants apply from abroad. We advise and represent clients wherever they live, by video call and email, across time zones. You normally apply online, pay the fee and surcharge, and give biometrics at a visa application centre. If you hold a US passport but also hold qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, tell us at the start.
What we do not do
We do not trace your family tree or create documents. We do not guarantee outcomes. If your case is refused, we explain the reasons and your options.
Who qualifies for the UK Ancestry visa?
Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over with a UK-born grandparent who can work and support themselves.
Can US citizens apply?
Not on US citizenship alone. They must also hold qualifying Commonwealth citizenship.
Does my grandmother count?
Yes, a grandparent on either side counts.
Does a grandparent born in Ireland count?
Only in limited cases before 1922. Check the rules.
How long does the visa last?
Up to five years, then you can apply for ILR.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, partner and children under 18.
Can you help from outside the UK?
Yes, we advise clients worldwide.
This page is general information, not advice on your case. Rules and fees change; always check GOV.UK.
Check whether you qualify in two minutes, or contact us.
Discuss Your Immigration Legal Strategy
Meet Our Team
Bill Zahr
Principal Lawyer & Managing Director
Bill Zahr (LLB Hons) leads Noble Rose Immigration Service with a methodical, "law-first" approach. Guided by the ethos ‘Navigare per Legem’, Bill combines rigorous legal expertise with genuine empathy to navigate complex UK immigration cases. Formerly of a top-tier UK firm, he ensures every client receives transparent, elite, and personalised care.
Renzel Carlos
Client Relations Manager & Immigration Paralegal
Renzel Carlos (LLB Hons, First Class) is the primary liaison at Noble Rose Immigration Service. Currently undertaking the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, she combines a meticulous legal foundation with deep frontline experience. Renzel is dedicated to guiding clients through the emotional complexities of immigration with high-level professionalism, precision, and compassionate care.
