UK Ancestry Visa for South Africans – Your Pathway to British Citizenship

If you’re a South African with British ancestry, you may be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa. The UK Ancestry visa is a special visa category that allows South Africans with British grandparents to live and work in the UK for up to five years. With the UK Ancestry visa, you can also apply for British citizenship after five years of continuous residence in the UK. UK Visas for South Africans is here to help you understand the UK Ancestry visa and determine your eligibility with our free online assessment.

Navigation:

• What is the UK Ancestry visa?: We provide a comprehensive overview of the UK Ancestry visa, including the eligibility requirements and application process. We explain the benefits of the UK Ancestry visa, including the ability to live and work in the UK for up to five years and apply for British citizenship after five years of continuous residence.
• Am I eligible for the UK Ancestry visa?: We offer a free online assessment that can help you determine your eligibility for the UK Ancestry visa. Our assessment takes into account your personal circumstances and ancestry to provide a personalized recommendation on whether you may be eligible for the UK Ancestry visa.
• How can Move Up help?: If you’re eligible for the UK Ancestry visa, Move Up can help you with every step of the application process. Our industry-leading immigration consultants can provide expert guidance and support to ensure that your application is prepared and submitted correctly. We can also assist with complex claims to British nationality and provide guidance on UK citizenship applications.

The UK Ancestry visa is a unique opportunity for South Africans with British ancestry to live and work in the UK and apply for British citizenship. UK Visas for South Africans is here to help you understand the UK Ancestry visa and determine your eligibility with our free online assessment. If you’re eligible for the UK Ancestry visa, Move Up can help you with every step of the application process. With our help, you can realize your dream of becoming a British citizen.

UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry visa provides a unique opportunity for South Africans with British grandparents to live and work in the UK for up to five years, with the potential to apply for British citizenship after meeting continuous residence requirements.

Required Supporting Documents for UK Ancestry Visa

To apply for a UK Ancestry visa, you must provide several supporting documents, including a valid passport or travel document, your full birth certificate, and the birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on. 

You will also need to show evidence that you are planning to work in the UK, such as job offers or a business plan if self-employed, and bank statements dated within 31 days of your application proving you can support yourself financially in the UK. 

Depending on your circumstances, additional documents may be required, such as marriage or adoption certificates, tuberculosis test results, and proof of your relationship with any dependants applying with you.

Healthcare Surcharge and Other Fees

In addition to the UK Ancestry visa application fee of £637, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The IHS costs £624 per year for each adult applicant, totaling £3,120 for the 5-year visa, and £470 per year for children under 18, totaling £2,350 over the visa duration.

Dependents applying with the main applicant must also pay the visa application fee and IHS. Some visa application centers offer priority processing services for an additional £500 fee to receive a decision within 5 days or a £1,000 fee for next-day processing, if available.

Extending Your Stay: Indefinite Leave to Remain

After living in the UK for five continuous years on an Ancestry visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement or permanent residence. 

ILR allows you to stay in the UK without any time restrictions and is a step towards obtaining British citizenship. To qualify for ILR, you must meet certain requirements, such as passing the Life in the UK test, proving your knowledge of English, and having no criminal convictions. 

The current fee for an ILR application is £2,885, with additional charges for priority processing if desired. 

Once granted ILR, you should avoid spending more than two years outside the UK, as this could lead to losing your settled status.