Immigration Rules Appendix UK Ancestry
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-11)

Immigration Rules for UK Ancestry

The UK Ancestry route is for a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over who wants to live and work in the UK and who has a grandparent who was born in the UK or Islands.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply under this route.

UK Ancestry is a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for UK Ancestry
- (a) for entry clearance, form “UK Ancestry, Right of Abode or Returning Residents visa”; or
- (b) for permission to stay, form “Application to extend stay in the UK: FLR(IR)”.
- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality.
UKA 1.3. The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen.

UKA 1.4. If applying for entry clearance, the applicant must be aged 17 or over on the date of their intended arrival in the UK.

UKA 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.

UKA 1.5A. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must have previously been granted permission on the UK Ancestry route as a person with UK Ancestry.

UKA 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for the UK Ancestry route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for UK Ancestry

UKA 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for UK Ancestry

Entry requirements for UK Ancestry

UKA 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK on the UK Ancestry route must apply for and obtain entry clearance on the UK Ancestry route before they arrive in the UK.

UKA 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance on the UK Ancestry route must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Grandparent born in the UK or Islands requirement

UKA 4.1. The applicant must have a grandparent born in the UK or Islands.

Financial requirement for UK Ancestry

UKA 5.1. The decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant can and will adequately maintain and accommodate themselves, and any dependants in the UK, or applying for entry clearance, without recourse to public funds.

UKA 5.2. Funds must be shown as specified in Appendix Finance.

UKA 5.3. In assessing whether the applicant meets the financial requirement in UKA 5.1, the decision maker may take into account credible promises of financial support from a third party, such as a relative or friend of the applicant.

Work requirement for UK Ancestry

UKA 6.1. The applicant must be able to work and intend to seek and take employment in the UK.

Parental consent requirement for UK Ancestry applicant aged under 18
- UKA 7.1. The applicant must meet the parental consent requirement for an applicant not applying as a dependent child in Appendix Children .
- UKA 7.2. DELETED.
Decision on an application for UK Ancestry

UKA 8.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for UK Ancestry, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKA 8.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period of grant on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 9.1. The applicant will be granted permission for 5 years.

Conditions of grant on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) no access to public funds; and
- (b) work is permitted (including self-employment); and
- (c) voluntary work is permitted; and
- (d) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
- (e) DELETED
Settlement on the UK Ancestry route

Validity requirements for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 10.1. A person on the UK Ancestry route who is applying for settlement must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.
- (a) any fee must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (d) the applicant must be in the UK.
UKA 10.3. The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen on the date of application.

UKA 10.4. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for settlement on the UK Ancestry route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 11.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 12.1. The applicant must continue to meet the eligibility requirements of UKA 4.1 to UKA 6.1.

Qualifying period requirement for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 13.1. The applicant must have spent 5 years in the UK with permission on the UK Ancestry route as a person with UK Ancestry.

Continuous residence requirement for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 14.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement in Appendix Continuous Residence during the period in UKA 13.1.

English language requirement for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 15.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1.

UKA 15.2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of life in the UK requirement for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 16.1. The applicant must meet the knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as specified in Appendix KOL UK.

Decision on an application for settlement on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 17.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for settlement on the UK Ancestry route, the applicant will be granted settlement, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKA 17.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Dependants of a person with UK Ancestry

Validity requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) for entry clearance, “Join or accompany a family member” on the “Find and apply for other visas from outside the UK” form; or
- (b) for permission to stay, form “Application to extend stay in the UK: FLR(IR)”.
- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay on the UK Ancestry route that has not been decided; or
- (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the UK Ancestry route; or
- (iii) is settled or has become a British citizen, providing that person (P) had permission on the UK Ancestry route when they settled.
- UKA 18.3. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
- (a) as a Visitor; or
- (b) as a Short-term Student; or
- (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
- (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
- (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
- (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.
UKA 18.4. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 19.1. The suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route are that they must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

Entry requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 20.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain an entry clearance as a partner or child before they arrive in the UK.

UKA 20.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirements for a partner on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) P has permission on the UK Ancestry route; or
- (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) permission on the UK Ancestry route; or
- (c) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay, P is settled or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission on the UK Ancestry route when they settled.
UKA 21.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

UKA 21.3. DELETED

UKA 21.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a dependent child on the UK Ancestry route
- UKA 22.1. DELETED.
- UKA 22.2. DELETED.
Care requirement for a dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 23.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 24.1. DELETED.

UKA 24.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
- (b) care requirement; and
- (c) age and independent life requirement.
Financial requirement for a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 25.1. The decision maker must be satisfied that there will be adequate maintenance and accommodation for the applicant, the person with UK Ancestry, and any other dependants in the UK, without recourse to public funds.

UKA 25.2. Funds must be shown as specified in Appendix Finance.

UKA 25.3. In assessing whether the applicant meets the financial requirement in UKA 25.1, the decision maker may take into account credible promises of financial support from a third party, such as a relative or friend of the applicant.

Decision on an application for a dependent partner and dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 26.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKA 26.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period of grant for a dependent partner and dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 27.1. Unless UKA 27.2 applies, the applicant will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person with UK Ancestry.

UKA 27.2. If the application is for permission to stay, and the person with UK Ancestry is being, or has been, granted settlement on the UK Ancestry route, or has become a British Citizen having previously had permission on the UK Ancestry route, the applicant will be granted permission to stay for 30 months.

Conditions of grant for a dependent partner and dependent child on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) no access to public funds; and
- (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; and
- (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
- (d) DELETED
Settlement by a dependent partner and dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

Validity requirements for settlement by a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 28.1. A partner or child on the UK Ancestry route who is applying for settlement must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.
- (a) any fee must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (d) the applicant must be in the UK; and
- (i) has made a valid application for settlement on the UK Ancestry route and that application has not been decided; or
- (ii) is settled or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission on the UK Ancestry route when they settled.
- (a) as a Visitor; or
- (b) as a Short-term Student; or
- (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
- (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
- (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
- (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.
UKA 28.4. An application which does not meet the validity requirements for settlement as a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for settlement by a dependent partner and dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 29.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for settlement by a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route

Relationship requirement for settlement by a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) P is, at the same time, being granted settlement on the UK Ancestry route; or
- (b) P is settled or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission on the UK Ancestry route when they settled.
UKA 30.2. If applying as a partner, the requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

UKA 30.3. DELETED

UKA 30.4. DELETED

UKA 30.5. If applying as a child, the applicant must meet the relationship requirement for settlement in Appendix Children.

Care requirement for settlement by a child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 31.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for settlement by a child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 32.1. DELETED.

UKA 32.2. DELETED.

Requirements for settlement as a dependent child on the UK Ancestry route
- (a) care requirement; and
- (b) age and independent life requirement.
Financial requirement for settlement for a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 33.1. The decision maker must be satisfied that there will be adequate maintenance and accommodation for the applicant, the person with UK Ancestry, and any other dependants in the UK, without recourse to public funds.

UKA 33.2. Funds must be shown as specified in Appendix Finance.

UKA 33.3. In assessing whether the applicant meets the financial requirement in UKA 33.1, the decision maker may take into account credible promises of financial support from a third party, such as a relative or friend of the applicant.

English language requirement for settlement by a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 34.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening of at least level B1.

UKA 34.2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of life in the UK requirement for settlement by a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 35.1 If the applicant is aged 18 or over at the date of application, they must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

Decision on an application for settlement as a partner or child on the UK Ancestry route

UKA 36.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child on the UK Ancestry route the applicant will be granted settlement, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKA 36.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.