Ancestry

If it is the case that one of your grandparents were born in the UK, or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and you yourself are a commonwealth nationals, you may be able to enter the UK on a UK ancestry visa for a period of up to five (5) years. And it will be possible for you to work. You will not have the limitations as when applying for a UK work permit. But be aware that you will be the one responsible for finding old marriage or birth certificates to prove your relations. See Documents required.

It will be your responsibility to be in a position to be able to support yourself and not depend on public funds. It is not necessary to have a firm offer of employment in the UK before you make the application but it would go a long way in helping your application.

After a period of five (5) years, if you have worked continuously and are still abiding to the requirements for the ancestry visa, you can apply for permanent residency.

Contact us for any assistance.

Documents required

It will help us, help you if you provide as many documents as you can with your application including:

All the full birth certificates of parents and/or grandparents through whose ancestry you are making your application
Your full birth certificate
Your certificate of marriage, if you are married.
Marriage certificates of your parents and grandparents
Legal adoption papers if it applies

This application must be made from your country of origin or residence.

Irish Ancestry

If it is the case that your grandparents were born in Ireland before 1922, in the year of the partition and you are a commonwealth national then it will be possible for you to apply for an ancestry visa.

The UK ancestry visa, what’s also known as the UK Partiality Visa, or the 5 Year visa, will make it possible for you to work in the UK for up to five (5) years and you will not be restricted, which is the case with the UK work permit.

It will also be possible to apply for British residency after a period of five (5) years.

But please be aware that you are also in a position to apply for Irish citizenship as well, you can qualify for a passport which will allow you to work anywhere in the EEA. But, this process will take up to one (1) year.

And it will be your responsibility to find and provide all the necessary documents to be able to prove your relations.