UK Ancestral Visa: 3 Common mistakes SA applicants make

Source: News 24, 10/04/2018

Cape Town - It seems more than ever that South African`s are wanting
to explore and work in other countries. There has been an increase in
popularity of South Africans heading to the United Kingdom - with the
help of their ancestral visa.
Many South Africans hold ancestral roots with the United Kingdom -
owing to a thriving expat community of about 200 00 South Africans
living in the UK. If you`re wanting to join these up and coming
individuals there are a number of things to consider.
Overall, the process of applying for an ancestral visa can appear
daunting as you want to ensure that it is successful. While some
might be concerned about the implications Brexit - since the decision
to leave the EU has caused much uncertainty for immigrants within the
UK - it does not directly impact South Africans in the UK or those
locals wanting to visit on an ancestral visa.
Here`s what necessary and crucial information you need to know about -
to make this process easier and to ensure a smooth application
overall.
3 Common mistakes ancestral visa applicants make

SA`s British High Commissioner spokesperson, Isabel Potgieter has
stressed that there are three common mistakes applicants make during
or prior to initiating the process.
Firstly, it is important to understand and read the guidelines
thoroughly and to fully understand the process and its requirements,
advises Potgieter.
The situation of applying for a visa is not as straightforward as
many would hope due to individual specific circumstances or
conditions.
Secondly, applicants are strongly encouraged to understand their
ancestral heritage/lineage to the countries needed specifically for
the application to be considered. This means that one must check
whether the grandparents was born in a country that is seen as
applicable when applying for an ancestral visa to the UK. In many
instances applicants are unaware of whether their lineage applies and
how it does.
A third common mistake made is not obtaining the proper birth
certificate information for the relevant grandparent - meaning it
must be intact and valid.
It is crucial to adhere to the requirements and to thoroughly read
the instructions - to ensure that your application has a strong
chance of being accepted, states Potgieter.
Key information
Before you go ahead and book your ticket to whisk you away to the UK
there are a few important factors you need to know. It is important
that you are able to tick yes with these three requirements before
you begin the process and check off on the complete list of
eligibility requirements to get a UK ancestral visa.
Apply if:
1. Are a commonwealth citizen - you can find out if this is
applicable to you here.
2. Able to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK
3. If you are able and planning on working in the UK
Cost:
Application cost: R8 444.45
There is a cost for the healthcare surcharge - this cost is either
paid online or at premium service centre. You can calculate this
online here.
When will I know?
Applications take three weeks to process.
Duration of validity:
Visa valid for 5 years.
When to apply:
You can apply three months before you travel.
Basic DOs and DONT`s
You can: Work, study and bring family members
You can`t: Switch to a UK visa if you are in the UK on another type
of visa and you cannot get public funds.
There is a full list of eligibility that must be read and is a strict
requirement of the application process. Even though you might have
ticked some of the requirements mentioned above there is a more
detailed list of requirements -
Are you eligible?
Here are the strict requirements:
1. 17 years +
2. Enough money to support yourself or dependents without public
funding.
3. Able and plan on working in the UK
The question of ancestry is often misunderstood as each individual
has different circumstances that cater to themselves. However, there
are rigid rules as to whether you can be considered for an ancestral
visa on the basis of your ancestry.
It is very important to take note of this and ensure that your
ancestry is applicable.
Ancestral requirements
In order for one`s ancestry to apply you must prove that one of your
grandparents were born under the following circumstances -
1. Have documented proof of birth in the UK, Isle of Man or Channel
Islands - this proof must be produced in birth certificate form.
2. Have documented proof that they were born in the Republic of
Ireland before 1922.
3. In the circumstances that they were on a British registered ship
or aircraft
You can also claim for ancestry if either you or your parents have -
1. Been adopted
2. Were born within or outside of marriage in the UK.
It is important to know that ancestry cannot be applicable if applied
through via step-parents or grandparents.
Documentation required
General application documents:
1. Proof of passport - it must be currently valid and have a single
blank page for the visa.
2. Bank statements - proof of financial support.
3. Tuberculosis test results - test costs must be paid for
independently and is applicable if you are entering the UK for 6
months +.
South Africans are considered on the list to conduct a tuberculosis
test as a part of their application process. There are designated
testing centres chosen by the British Commission across SA. It is a
process that must be adhered to.
When taking the Tuberculosis test ensure that you take the following
with you:
- Two passport photos
- Passport
- Proof of payment for Tuberculosis test
Ancestral documents:
1. Your full birth certificate.
2. Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate if your
partner wants to join you.
3. Full birth certificates of the parent or grandparent that your
ancestry claim is based on.
4. Marriage certificates of either your parents or grandparents.
5. Legal adoption papers if you or your parents were adopted.
There is a more detailed list that one can review
Apply
The application process is carried out online.
Part of the application requires that biometric information - a
photograph and finger prints be taken at the nearest visa application
centre. They are located across South Africa and are known as The TSL
contact centre in SA.
When applying online - follow this process:
1. Fill the application form out in English
2. Pay the visa fee - online
3. Print out the form
4. Ensure you have all the necessary documentation required
5. Visit the nearest Visa application centre.
There is an online site for applying for UK visas, Visa4UK.
Residency and visa extensions
The ancestral visa lasts 5 years and one can apply for residence once
your ancestral visa validity has ended. This proves to benefit many
South Africans because they can easily assume permanent residence in
the UK upon the ending of their ancestral visa.
There is also the option to extend the ancestral visa for another 5
years and this application process can be carried out individually
via post or through a premium service provider. A form can be
downloaded
Cost: £993 (about R16 923 via post and £1 583 (about R26 979 at R1)
in person and through a premium service provider.
Decision:
- postal applications are provided with a decision in 8 weeks
- in person applications will find out the same day if they have been
successful