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Ancestry Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is a UK Ancestry Visa?

The UK Ancestry Visa is a type of UK visa that allows Commonwealth and British Overseas citizens and nationals with a grandparent who was born in the UK (or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) to live, work and study in the UK. 

After 5 years on this visa, you may become eligible for to apply for indefinite leave to remain (“ILR”), and following an additional 12 months, you may apply for British citizenship. 

During your time in the UK under the Ancestry Visa, you must engage in work, but there are no restrictions on the nature of work you can undertake. This implies that you have the freedom to be employed, self-employed or set up your own business, making the Ancestry Visa an appealing choice when compared to alternative visa schemes. 

Who can apply for a UK Ancestry Visa?

To qualify for a UK ancestry visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

  • You must be a Commonwealth citizen. 
  • You must be able to demonstrate that one of your grandparents was born in the UK. 
  • You must show that you are willing and able to work in the UK. 
  • You must be 17 years of age or older. 
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents during your stay in the UK. 

In addition to the above, you need to show that your relevant grandparent was either: 

  • Born in the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, or if before March 31, 1922, in what is now the Republic of Ireland. 
  • Born on a British-registered ship or aircraft. 

Ancestry can also be claimed if you or your relevant parent were adopted. However, note that step-parents cannot be used to claim UK ancestry. 

What are the commonwealth countries?

Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom, Pacific, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. 

How to Apply for a UK Ancestry Visa

Applications are submitted online and usually from your country of residence or from a country that you are a national of. Once the application is submitted, you would then need to submit your supporting evidence and book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information. 

It usually takes 3 weeks to get a decision but a fast-track option may be available at your visa application centre. We can advise on this once we submit your application. 

How long does a UK Ancestry Visa last?

The maximum duration of stay in the UK on an Ancestry Visa is 5 years at a time. After this period, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if you meet all the requirements, which include: 

  • Continuously satisfying the conditions of the UK Ancestry Visa. 
  • Spending five consecutive years in the UK. 
  • Working throughout the entire five-year period. 
  • Not spending more than 180 days outside the UK per year during this qualifying period. 

If you do not qualify for ILR or choose not to apply for it, you have the option to apply for an extension of your Ancestry Visa status. 

If you wish to extend your UK Ancestry Visa, it is necessary to demonstrate that you satisfy all the requirements for an initial application as set out above. It is not mandatory to be working at the time you apply; however, you will need to showcase that you intend to work and take or seek out employment here in the UK. 

How much does it cost to get a UK Ancestry Visa?

The fee for applying for entry clearance with a UK Ancestry Visa is £516 per applicant. In addition to the visa application fee, you will also need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. This allows you to access the National Health Service (NHS) once you are living in the UK. The IHS is calculated based on the duration of leave granted, at a rate of £624 per year for an adult applicant and £470 per year for children. 

Can my dependants be included as part of my Ancestry Visa?

Yes, you are permitted to bring certain family members to live with you in the UK. This includes your unmarried partner, spouse, civil partner, and dependent minor children who are under the age of 18. They will usually be granted the same length of stay as the main visa applicant and will also have the right to work and study in the UK.  

To have your dependant family members apply with you, you must demonstrate the following: 

  1. You can arrange adequate accommodation for both you and your partner (and children if included), without relying on public funds, which you either own or exclusively occupy. 
  1. Your partner has no intention of staying in the UK beyond the period of the Ancestry Visa granted to you as the primary visa applicant. 
  1. Your partner does not fall under the general grounds for refusal – we can advise on what the general grounds for refusal are. 

In addition to the above, if you are not married to your partner (unmarried partner route), there are additional requirements which include: 

  1. The termination of any previous marriage, civil partnership, or similar relationship by either partner. 
  1. No blood relationship between the partners. 
  1. Living together in a relationship for a minimum of two years. 
  1. Your relationship is genuine and subsisting and you intend to live together as partners during your stay in the UK. 

How can I apply to include my dependants as part of my Ancestry Visa?

When applying for entry clearance as the partner or dependent of an individual holding a UK Ancestry Visa from outside the UK, you will need to complete the online application process. It is recommended that both you and your partner submit your applications simultaneously, to facilitate traveling together to the UK. However, your partner has the option to apply later to join you. If your partner is already in the UK, they can apply to switch their visa from a different category. However, it’s important to note that they are ineligible to apply if their most recent entry clearance was as a visitor or short-term student. 

Similar to your process, as part of the application process for entry clearance and/or leave to remain, your partner and dependants will be required to attend a visa application appointment to provide them provide biometric information. 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our advisors are experts on the UK Ancestry Visa immigration rules. We can provide you with a professional assessment of your prospects of being granted entry clearance based on UK Ancestry, and where necessary prepare a successful application for a UK Ancestry visa. We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in meeting our client’s needs. Additionally, we can assist you if you need to extend your stay as a holder of a UK Ancestry Visa, if the eligibility criteria is met. Call us today for further information.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.