UK Ancestry Visas Explained

Source: The South African News, 30/11/2015

The UK Ancestry Visa remains one of the most popular immigration
routes to the UK. Provided of course that you are one of those persons
fortunate enough to have a British born grandparent.


To quash some misconceptions about the UK Ancestry Visa, the
consultants at BIC have provided some general guidelines on this UK
Visa type.


How to Qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa
To qualify for this type of visa you have to be a Commonwealth
Citizen, 17 years of age or older, and you must be able to prove that
you have a grandparent who was born in the United Kingdom, Channel
Islands or the Isle of Man.


Good news for Zimbabwean readers is that although Zimbabwe is no
longer part of the Commonwealth, Zimbabwean nationals are considered
by the UK Home Office as such for UK Ancestry applications.


The grandparent can be on your mother or father`s side of the family.


Adopted children also qualify, as well as cases where the
parent through whom a person is claiming ancestry is an adopted child.



It is not possible to claim Ancestry through stepparents.


Length Granted for UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry Visa is granted for five years. After successfully
completing a five-year period as the holder of the UK Ancestry Visa,
you will be able to apply for UK Permanent Residence, also known as
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Provided of course that you meet the
relevant requirements.


Should you not meet the requirements for ILR, you may submit an
application for the extension of your UK Ancestry Visa till you can
meet the requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain.


A Second UK Ancestry Visa
Clients sometimes end up in situations where they have to return to
their home countries for whatever reason, and the UK Ancestry Visa
expires during this time. Fortunately, it is possible to apply for
another UK Ancestry Visa from your home country.


The period spent on your first UK Ancestry Visa, will however not
count towards your qualifying time for Indefinite Leave to Remain in
the UK.


The UK Ancestry Visa and Age Limits
To apply for the UK Ancestry Visa, the applicant must be 17 years of
age or older. You also have to prove an intention and ability to work
in the UK under the Ancestry Visa. Subject to this, there is no upper
age limit.


Work Restrictions and the UK Ancestry Visa
One of the main rules of the UK Ancestry Visa is that you must be able
to work and intend to work while in the UK. If it is not your
intention to work, and you confirm this in your application, the
application will be refused.


Furthermore, to be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain
after five years on this type of UK Visa, you must be able to provide
evidence that they have indeed been working during the five years of
their visa.


The Visa has no work restrictions. You will thus be able to open your
own business, or take up employment or even combine the two.


Dependants and Partners
The UK Ancestry Visa holder can apply for his/her Spouse, Civil
Partner or Unmarried Partner and any dependent children under the age
of eighteen years to join them in the UK. They will receive the same
period of leave as the main applicant and be able to work without
restriction.


For more information in your unique circumstances, please feel free to
contact one of the OISC registered BIC consultants today. They will be
happy to assist.