You can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if you: 

• are a Commonwealth citizen (external link) 

• are applying from outside the UK 

• are able to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK 

• are able and planning to work in the UK 

• meet the other eligibility requirements (external link) 

How long it will take 

The earliest you can apply is three months before you travel. 

Example 

You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June. 

You should get a decision on your visa within three weeks when you apply from outside the UK. 

• Find out about paying for a faster decision (external link).  

Fees  

Your UK Ancestry visa will cost £516. 

Healthcare surcharge  

You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge (external link) as part of your application. Check how much you will have to pay (external link) before you apply. 

Get a faster decision on your application  

If you are applying to extend in the UK you can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service. You will get a decision:  

• by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday 

• two working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend 

Once you have got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.  

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. 

How long you can stay 

You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa. 

You can apply to extend your visa (external link). 

You can also apply to settle in the UK permanently (external link). 

What you can and cannot do 

You can: 

• work 

• study 

• bring family members (external link) 

You cannot: 

• change (switch) into this visa if you’re already in the UK on another visa 

• get public funds (external link) 

See also:  

• Documents you must provide (external link)  

• Apply (external link)