Ancestry Visa
At Synergy Immigration Solutions, we pride ourselves on being able to provide UK visas for anyone who is interested and qualified to make the UK their home on a temporary or permanent basis. We operate on an individual and a corporate level.
For those who are a commonwealth citizen, you may have the opportunity to travel to the UK for 5 years on an Ancestry Visa.
Ancestry Visa
As a result of historical cooperation between nations during the era of the British Empire, there are exceptions which allow descendants to travel and stay in the UK for a period of time, this is where the Ancestry Visa comes into play.
You can apply for a UK Ancestry visa if you’re one of the following:
- a Commonwealth citizen
- a British overseas citizen
- a British overseas territories citizen
- a British national (overseas)
- a citizen of Zimbabwe
You must also:
- prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- meet the other eligibility requirements
How long it will take
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
Fees
A UK Ancestry visa costs £531.
Healthcare surcharge
You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.
Applying to stay longer in the UK
If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may be able to either:
- apply to extend your visa for a further 5 years
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
What you can and cannot do
With a UK Ancestry visa you can:
- work
- study
- bring your partner or child
Your work can be:
- paid or voluntary
- full-time or part time
- in self-employment or in a job where you’re employed by someone else
You cannot:
- change (‘switch’) into this visa if you came to the UK on a different visa
- get public funds
Right to Work checks on a Ancestry Visa
As you have the right to work on the ancestry visa, you are subject to checks on your right to work. There are changes to the right to work checks that are essential to know.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government issued new guidance surrounding right-to-work checks. They made the process easier for employers who transitioned to remote working.
From March 2020, employers could carry out right-to-work checks remotely, over video calls. Rather than asking for original documents, employers could ask job applicants and workers to scan or photograph their documents.
This policy came to an end on 30 September 2022.
From 1 October 2022, employers must now carry out right-to-work checks using one of these methods:
- Manually checking the person’s original documents.
- Via the Home Office’s online checking service.
- Via an Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT). This is an identity service to verify identity remotely, without providing physical documents.
Ancestry Visa - Synergy immigration solutions
So how can we help? In regards to the ancestry visa, and all others on our website, we are able to provide an in-depth and tailored service depending on your needs.
Do you need guidance on what Visa is appropriate for you? We can help with that.
Whether you want to stay permanently or for a short while, we will process your application accordingly whilst keeping you updated as we progress. We liaise with the UKVI on your behalf, saving any potential misunderstandings along the way.
Other services
At Synergy immigration solutions we offer a variety of guidance on an individual basis, whatever your needs may be, we should be able to help. Head over to our website to discover how we can help you today. For a brief overview of the alternative services we offer, read on.
Start-Up Visa
The UK Start up visa is aimed at ambitious entrepreneurs looking to set up their first business in the UK. The route is open to both graduates and non-graduates and no initial funding is needed to be eligible.
To know whether or not you qualify for a start-up visa, make your enquiry on our website
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa category replaces the Tier 2 (General) visa as the main immigration route for skilled workers under the UK’s new Points-Based Immigration System.
As the Freedom of Movement from the EU ended on 31 December 2020, both EU and non-EU citizens are now subject to the same immigration rules. All foreign nationals coming to work in the UK must now apply for permission in advance.
In order to apply for a visa under the Skilled Worker route, migrants need to hold a job offer from an approved sponsor at the required skill and salary level.
Permanent Residency
You may qualify for permanent residency after you have lived legally in the UK for a certain length of time.
This is known as indefinite leave to remain. In most cases, qualifying for settlement is possible on completion of five years’ residence in the UK.
We will support you every step of the way. Make your enquiry today to see how we can offer our expertise.
Student Visas
Studying in the UK is an enriching experience and a valued opportunity for those who are able to complete their degree at their chosen university.
You can apply for a Student visa if you are over 16 and you have been offered a place on a course by a licenced student sponsor. You must have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course and you must speak, read, write and understand English. We can assist you with the process and simplify things for you.
To receive the best possible chance of studying in the UK, make an enquiry on our website today.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa is for talented and promising people who wish to work in specific sectors such as sciences, the humanities, engineering, the arts and technology.
It replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category in February 2020 and it leads to settlement after 3 years if you have been considered a talented candidate, or 5 years if you have been considered a promising candidate.
Youth Mobility scheme (Tier 5)
Originally called the working holiday visa, the Youth Mobility scheme allows citizens of certain countries which have reciprocal agreements with the UK to experience life here.
It’s a great way to gain international work experience, as well as travel throughout the Europe.
It’s valid for a period of two years and you must be aged between 18 – 30 years to qualify.
It allows you to take up almost any type of work in the UK, including self-employment. Let us guide you through the process.