UK Ancestry Visa Checklist — Documents to Prepare
The UK Ancestry visa is for Commonwealth citizens and a few related nationalities who have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. It costs £726, runs for 5 years, and a decision from outside the UK usually takes about 3 weeks. You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026 — see Ancestry visa for the authoritative word.
Stage A — Check you qualify
You must be a citizen of one of these, and prove your grandparent's birthplace:
- ☐ A Commonwealth citizen.
- ☐ A British Overseas citizen.
- ☐ A British Overseas Territories citizen.
- ☐ A British National (Overseas).
- ☐ A Zimbabwean citizen.
You must also be able to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. There are further eligibility requirements on the official eligibility page.
⚠ Unverified: the exact forms of grandparent evidence (birth certificates and the documents accepted to link you to that grandparent) sit on GOV.UK's eligibility page, which was not captured when this checklist was written. Check the official page for the current proof required before you rely on it.
Stage B — Applying
- ☐ Application window — the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
- ☐ Decision time — usually 3 weeks for an application from outside the UK; a paid priority service may be available.
- ☐ Fee — £726. You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge.
Stage C — How long you can stay
- ☐ 5 years on the visa.
- ☐ After 5 years you can extend by another 5 years, or apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to settle permanently.
Stage D — What you can and cannot do
You can:
- ☐ Work — employed or self-employed, full-time or part-time, paid or voluntary.
- ☐ Study.
- ☐ Bring your partner and children as dependants.
You cannot:
- ☐ Switch into this visa from another visa — you must apply for it as the qualifying route.
- ☐ Claim public funds.
Get it right the first time
- Grandparent evidence is the spine — the born-in-the-UK-or-islands link is the whole basis of the visa. Confirm the accepted proof forms on GOV.UK first.
- You cannot switch in — apply for the Ancestry visa as the route, not after arriving on another visa.
- No public funds.
- Budget for the healthcare surcharge as well as the £726 fee.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a UK Ancestry visa?
Commonwealth citizens, British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, British Nationals (Overseas) and Zimbabwean citizens who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
How much does it cost and how long does it last?
£726, and the visa lasts 5 years. You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge.
How long does a decision take?
Usually about 3 weeks for an application from outside the UK, with a paid priority option possibly available.
When can I apply?
The earliest is 3 months before you travel.
What can I do on an Ancestry visa?
You can work (employed or self-employed), study, and bring your partner and children as dependants. You cannot claim public funds.
Can I settle permanently?
After 5 years you can extend by another 5 years or apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Can I switch into this visa?
No. You cannot switch into the Ancestry visa from another visa.
Related: the visitor route is the UK visitor visa checklist, joining a partner is the UK family visa checklist, and marrying then leaving is the Marriage Visitor checklist. Check the photo with the passport photo checker.