UK Ancestry visa
Official name: UK Ancestry visa
Commonwealth citizens (and Zimbabwe citizens) with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or in Ireland before 31 March 1922, can live and work in the UK for 5 years. They must be 17 or over, plan to work, and support themselves without public funds. After 5 years they may apply to settle. The visa costs £726 plus the healthcare surcharge.
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for United Kingdom
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
AfghanistanSource: GOV.UK - Visa brake: changes to the UK visa systemSource: UK Parliament - Written ministerial statement HCWS1379, 5 March 2026Source: GOV.UK - Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules HC 1691, 5 March 2026
Life in United Kingdom
Finance
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20% · social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Premium
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent who plan to work in the UK.
Eligibility
Nationality
Sign in to check this route against your profileCommonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas), or citizen of Zimbabwe.
Grandparent born in the UK
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or on a UK-registered ship or aircraft.
- Born in what is now Ireland counts if before 31 March 1922
- Adoption is accepted
- Unmarried parents or grandparents are accepted
- Step-parents are not accepted
Official wording
One grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man; before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland; or on a UK-registered ship or aircraft. Adoption and unmarried parents or grandparents are accepted; step-parents are not.
Age, work and money
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must be 17 or older, able to and planning to work in the UK, with enough money.
- Money must cover support and housing for you and dependants
- You must not rely on public funds
Official wording
17 or older, able to and planning to work in the UK, with enough money to support and house themselves and dependants without public funds.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for United Kingdom. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in United Kingdom
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to United Kingdom
- Visit & tourismElectronic Travel Authorisation
- StudyStudent visa
- Skilled migrationGlobal Talent visa
- 3 more routes with Premium
Work permits in other countries
- GrenadaGrenada Work Permit (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, Cap. 115)
- GeorgiaGeorgia right to work (labour activity permit) with work residence permit or D1 visa – labour migration rules in force from 1 March 2026
- GuernseyGuernsey Employment Permit (immigration) with Population Management permit
- 3 more routes with Premium
