UK Ancestry Entry Clearance

A UK Ancestry Entry Clearance often referred to as an "Ancestry Visa" is a United Kingdom Entry Clearance for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man who wish to work in the United Kingdom. It is used mainly by young Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and South Africans of British descent coming to UK to work and as a base to explore Europe.

The main requirements are:

As a result of the Immigration Act 2014, the applicant may also be required to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of the process.

The Entry Clearance is granted for five years in the Limited Leave to Enter category. After this, the holder can apply for an extension (Limited Leave to Remain) or for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). For ILR, the holder must show that he or she has been living continuously in the UK and is currently in continuing employment or has worked throughout the five years. The Home Office's guidance makes clear that if the applicant is working at the time of the ILR application, the applicant needs to show only that his or her current employment will continue. If not working at the time of the ILR application, the applicant will need to show that he or she has been continually working or looking for work throughout the five-year period.

This Entry Clearance does not prevent the holder from undertaking study; however, to stay within the terms of the status the holder should also be working.

After acquiring Indefinite Leave to Remain, it is possible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after meeting normal residence requirements. See British nationality law

A grandparent born in Northern Ireland at any time, or what is now the Republic of Ireland prior to 1 April 1922, gives rise to an entitlement to a right to admission under UK Ancestry. However, there may also be an entitlement to register as an Irish citizen by descent which grants full permanent residency in the UK immediately.

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