What is UK Ancestry Visa?
“UK Ancestry Visa allows the grandchildren of British nationals, who are born outside the United Kingdom, to register as British Citizen. This rule relates to those Grandparents who emigrated to the United Kingdom from the rest of the world at some time in the past especially before 1983″.
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What is on this page?
- What is UK Ancestry Visa?
- Introduction to UK Ancestry Visa
- Requirements for UK Ancestry Visa
- Settlements
- What would you do next?
Introduction to UK Ancestry Visa
As a general rule of Immigration Law, a child of a British Citizen born anywhere in the world is deemed British. However, if the grandchildren of such British national are born outside the UK then they can apply to register as British Citizens under S3(3) or 3(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981. However, if they do not qualify under s3(3) or 3(5) then they can apply to travel to the UK and subsequently settle in the United Kingdom through the Ancestry visa route.
Example;
Ash and Mohin moved to the United Kingdom from Pakistan and India respectively in 1970 and obtained British citizenship. Soon after they have children Sharukh and Sanjay born in India and Pakistan. Both Shahrukh and Sanjay are British Citizens as when they were born, Ash and Mohin had British Nationality.
Now suppose, Shahrukh and Sanjay did not move to the UK and stayed back in Pakistan and India respectively. They got married and have children Farooq and Karena respectively. By law, both Farooq and Karina are not British Citizens because they are born outside the United Kingdom even though their parents are British National.
They can apply under the Nationality Act 1981 to become British Citizen however if this is refused or if they do not fulfill the criteria then under the ancestry visa rules, both Farooq and Karena will have to apply to visit and settle in the UK under this route.
Please note this Judicial Review Immigration rule is specific to immigrants who moved to the UK and obtained British citizenship subsequently within a certain time after World War 2.
Requirements for UK Ancestry Visa
- Applicant must be aged 17 or over;
- Is a Commonwealth citizen;
- Can prove and provide evidence of blood relationship or recognized adoption with a grandparent born or naturalized in the UK;
- The applicant is able to work and will work or intends to work in the UK;
- The UK ancestry visa application must be made from outside the UK.
Settlement
Ancestry visa allows the applicant to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after 5 years of stay in the United Kingdom and fulfilling the requirement of Indefinite Leave to Remain.
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