UK ancestry

This page explains how Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry may be able to apply for permission to live and work here.

Can you apply?

You can apply to come to the UK in this category if you can show that:

• you are a Commonwealth citizen;
• you are aged 17 or over;
• you are able to work and you plan to work in the UK; and
• you can adequately support and accommodate yourself and your dependants without help from public funds - the Rights and responsibilities section explains what public funds are.

You must also show that at least 1 of your grandparents was born:

• in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man); or
• before 31 March 1922 in what is now the Republic of Ireland; or
• on a British-registered ship or aircraft.

You can claim ancestry if your relationship to the relevant grandparent is in the legitimate or illegitimate line.

You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-parents, but you can apply if you or your parent (through whom you are claiming ancestry) are adopted. You must show evidence of the legal adoption with your application form.

If you do not meet these requirements, you must apply under one of our other work-based immigration routes in order to come and work here.

Documents required

You should include as many documents as possible to show that you qualify for entry to the UK through UK ancestry. As a guide, you should include:

• your full birth certificate
• your parents' and grandparents' marriage certificates, and legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted
• the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent through whose ancestry you are applying
• your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration document, if your husband, wife or civil partner intends to join you in the UK

How long can you stay in the UK?

If we give you permission to enter and work in the UK because of your UK ancestry, you will be allowed to stay for 5 years. At the end of this time, you might be able to apply to settle here permanently - see below.

How to apply

To apply on the basis of your UK ancestry, you must be outside the UK. You cannot apply to 'switch' into this category if you are already in the UK in a different immigration category.

You must obtain a visa before you can travel here. The Applying for a visa page explains how to apply.

If you have lived and worked continuously in the UK for 5 years in this category, and if you still meet the UK ancestry requirements (see above), you can apply to settle here permanently. (This is called 'indefinite leave to remain'.) The Settlement section explains how to apply.

If you have lived and worked continuously in the UK for 5 years in this category, and if you still meet the UK ancestry requirements (see above), you can apply to settle here permanently. (This is called 'indefinite leave to remain'.) The Settlement section explains how to apply.

During the continuous residence period, you cannot be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any consecutive 12 months. Absences must be for a reason that relates to the reason for your stay in the UK, or for a serious or compelling reason such as serious illness. You must explain the reason for your absence if it was for a serious or compelling reason.

Time spent in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man may be included in the continuous period, as long as you were given permission to stay because of your UK or Islands ancestry.

Your most recent permission to stay must have been given in the UK in the UK ancestry category.

If you do not want to settle here when your visa expires, you can apply to extend your stay instead. The Extending your stay page explains how to apply using form FLR(O).

Bringing your family

Your family members (known as 'dependants') can apply to travel with you to the UK or join you here, if you can support them without needing any help from public funds.

Your dependants are your husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and your children under 18 years of age.

The Applying for a visa page explains how they can apply.

Leave to remain is permission to stay in the UK, either temporarily ('limited leave to remain') or permanently ('indefinite leave to remain').