The UK Ancestry visa allows commonwealth citizens, British overseas citizens, a British overseas territories citizen, a British national (overseas) and a citizen of Zimbabwe with one grandparent born in the UK to come to the UK in order to work.
The main requirements to be met are as follows:
- Be over 17 years of age.
- Are a commonwealth citizen.
- Are applying from outside the UK.
- Already have a job in the UK or plan to find a job in the UK.
- Have enough money without help from public funds to support and house yourself and any dependants.
In addition, you must also be able to prove that one of your grandparents
- Was born in the UK; the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man or
- Was born before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland or
- Was born on a British-registered ship or aircraft or belonged to the UK government
Important: Applicants can apply via this route if either they or their parent was adopted, or their parents or grandparents were not married. However, they cannot claim UK ancestry through a step-parent.

Upon a successful application applicants can come to the UK initially for five years. They can apply to extend their visa for a further five years or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5years provided, they meet the eligibility requirements for ILR.
Important: Applicants cannot change (‘switch’) into this visa category if they came to the UK on a different visa.
This visa route permits applicants bring their family members (partner and children) with them to the UK.
Applicant may be permitted to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain once they have held an Ancestry visa for a minimum of five years. In order to be eligible applicants must be able to show the following:
- They have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK.
- Have sufficient knowledge of English language .
- Have passed a Life in the UK test.
- Have not breached UK immigration law.