UK Ancestry Visa — 5-year route with full work rights

We’ll confirm your eligibility through your UK-born grandparent, map your documents, and prepare a clean, decision-ready application — with a plan for extension or ILR after 5 years.

At-a-glance

You’ll normally qualify if you’re a Commonwealth citizen, aged 17+, with a UK-born grandparent (incl. Channel Islands/Isle of Man, and Ireland if born before 31 March 1922), and you can work and support yourself without public funds.

Stay: 5 years Full work rights Apply from outside the UK Path to ILRDependants allowed

Who qualifies

Commonwealth citizen, aged 17+.

You have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man; or in the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922.

You intend to work in the UK and can maintain/accommodate yourself (no public funds).

Apply from outside the UK (entry clearance).

Adoption: an adoptive grandparent or you being legally adopted can qualify where the adoption is recognised in law.

Outcome path: 5 years’ permission → extend or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet residence and work requirements.

Evidence you’ll provide

Lineage proof: long-form birth certificates for you, your parent, and the qualifying grandparent (showing names/places of birth).

Marriage/Name change docs: any certificates or legal change documents linking the names across generations.

Adoption papers (if relevant), showing the legal adoption and parental details.

Work plans: CV, skills/qualifications, emails/interviews, job offers or self-employment plan to show genuine intention to work.

Finances & accommodation: bank statements and where you’ll stay on arrival (booking, host letter or tenancy).

TB test (where required by country of residence) and passport/travel history.

We’ll map any gaps (e.g., missing certificates), arrange certified copies/translations, and structure a clean lineage bundle for the caseworker.

Documents you’ll need

We’ll tailor this to your family history, but most applicants prepare the following:


DocumentWhy it’s needed

Passport (and previous passports if available)

Identity and travel history


Long-form birth certificates — yours, your parent’s, and your UK-born grandparent’s

Proves the family line to the qualifying grandparent


Marriage / name-change certificates (if names differ across the chain)

Links names between generations


Adoption orders/papers (if relevant)

Shows legal adoption recognised in law


Evidence you can work and intend to work (CV, qualifications, emails/interviews, job offer or self-employment plan)

Demonstrates genuine intention and ability to work


Funds & accommodation (bank statements; hotel/booking or host permission + proof of address)

Shows you can maintain and accommodate yourself without public funds


TB test certificate (if required for your country of residence)

Health requirement (country-specific)


Certified translations (where any document isn’t in English/Welsh)

Meets Home Office format rules

Make your Ancestry application decision-ready

We’ll map your lineage, fix any document gaps, and prepare a clean, persuasive application with your plan to work.

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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