UK Ancestry ILR — settle after 5 years

We confirm eligibility on the UK Ancestry route, check continuous residence & absences, employment/ability to work and maintenance/accommodation, verify KoLL (Life in the UK + English), and file a clean, decision-ready ILR application.

Eligibility at a glance — UK Ancestry (ILR)

We check your 5-year residence, ability to work, evidence of ties, KoLL requirements, and suitability before filing your ILR application.

( Status ) Current UK Ancestry leave

  • You should hold valid permission on the UK Ancestry route at the date of application.
  • * We confirm grant history and any gaps
  • * Plan filing date against your visa expiry

( Residence ) 5 years’ continuous residence

  • Time spent in the UK on the Ancestry route, assessed under the continuous residence rules.
  • * We calculate qualifying dates and absences
  • * Travel history and evidence of UK ties

( Work ) Employed, self-employed, or genuinely seeking work

  • Show you have been working, self-employed, or actively looking for work and able to work.
  • * Contracts, payslips, invoices, job applications/agency letters
  • * CV, qualifications, professional registrations (where relevant)

( Support ) Maintenance & accommodation

  • We evidence your ability to support and accommodate yourself (and any dependants) in the UK without breaching conditions.
  • * Bank statements, tenancy/mortgage, council tax
  • * If relying on third-party support, clear documentation

( KOLL ) Life in the UK & English (B1)

  • Most adult applicants must meet KoLL: pass the Life in the UK test and show English at B1 (or be exempt).
  • * Approved SELT or accepted degree with ECCTIS (if needed)
  • * Age/medical exemptions assessed

( Suitability ) General grounds

  • Standard checks on criminality, deception, immigration compliance and debts.
  • * Full disclosure with mitigation where appropriate

Documents you’ll usually need

We’ll give you a tailored checklist and assemble a clean, indexed PDF bundle for upload.

Identity & status

  • * Current & previous passports (if available)
  • * BRP/eVisa; previous grants on the UK Ancestry route
  • * Any Home Office correspondence or reference numbers

Proof of ancestry

  • * Your full birth certificate (naming your parent)
  • * Parent’s full birth certificate (naming the UK-born grandparent)
  • * Grandparent’s full UK birth certificate
  • * Marriage/adoption certificates where the family line involves name changes or adoption
  • * Change-of-name evidence (deed poll, etc.), if relevant

Residence & absences

  • * Address history covering your 5-year qualifying period
  • * Council tax/tenancy, utilities, bank statements spread across the period
  • * Travel history and records of time outside the UK (we calculate absences)

Work

  • * Employment: contracts, payslips, P60s, employer letter
  • * Self-employment: accounts, tax returns, invoices, accountant letter
  • * Genuinely seeking work: job applications, interview invites, agency registration
  • * Qualifications/professional registrations (if relevant)

Support

  • * Bank statements showing funds
  • * Tenancy/mortgage, council tax; overcrowding checks if needed
  • * Third-party support evidence (clear, consistent documentation), if relied upon

KoLL

  • * Life in the UK test pass reference
  • * English at B1 (SELT) or accepted degree with ECCTIS confirmation (if required)
  • * Exemption evidence (age/medical) if applicable

How your UK Ancestry ILR application runs

Step 1 - Qualifying date & status check

Confirm 5 years’ leave on UK Ancestry, valid permission at filing, and a clean grant history.

Step 2 - Residence & absences

Calculate continuous residence and total time abroad; gather travel history and UK residence proofs

Step 3 - Work / employability evidence

Show employment, self-employment or genuine job seeking (contracts/payslips, invoices, applications)

Step 4 - KoLL readiness

Verify Life in the UK pass reference and English at B1 (or exemption) to avoid delays

Step 5 - Forms, biometrics & decision

Complete the ILR form, draft submissions, arrange UKVCAS biometrics/ID, monitor the case and advise on eVisa/BRP

Frequently Asked Questions

Full, long-form certificates that show the family line: your birth certificate, your parent’s, and your UK-born grandparent’s. Include marriage/adoption certificates and any name-change documents where relevant.

Contact & Location

Get in Touch

We offer in-person consultations at our UK offices, available by appointment only.

Our Sheffield Office Address

422 Pitsmoor Road
Sheffield S3 9AY
United Kingdom

Other UK Offices

  • Birmingham
  • Bradford

To schedule your consultation or ask a question, please contact us:

Book your consultation today for expert guidance on all your immigration matters.

Our Sheffield Office Address:

422 Pitsmoor Road
Sheffield S3 9AY
United Kingdom

UK Immigration Helpline is a trading name of UK Legal Solutions Ltd, operating as a trading style of Haleys Solicitors, which is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) Ref: ER164151. UK Legal Solutions Ltd collaborates with a network of independent regulated immigration advisors, solicitors and barristers across England and Wales. By submitting an enquiry through this website, you provide consent for your information to be securely shared with one or more participating advisors or firms for the sole purpose of responding to your enquiry. This website is designed, developed and maintained by UK Legal Solutions Ltd.

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