United Kingdom

UK Ancestry visa. A Commonwealth citizen with a UK-born grandparent (from either parent’s side) can come to Britain to work freely for five years, with no sponsor, no job offer, and no points test.

Free, with the law behind every answer

UK Ancestry visa

5 years’ permission to live and work in the UK, freely, with no sponsor.

Who qualifies

The applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen (or British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British National (Overseas), or Zimbabwean citizen), aged 17 or over.
GOV.UK: UK Ancestry visa — Overview
One grandparent, on either side of the family, was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or (before 31 March 1922) what is now Ireland, or on a UK-registered ship or aircraft.
GOV.UK: UK Ancestry visa — Overview
The applicant must intend to work in the UK and be able to support themselves and any dependants without public funds; the application must be made from outside the UK.
GOV.UK: UK Ancestry visa — Overview

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

Does it fit your family?

One question, from the program’s own rules.

How old are you?

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Age: 17 or older.
Time: Decisions typically arrive within 3 weeks of a complete application, made from outside the UK.
Cost: About $2,500 per adult: £726 visa fee (from 8 April 2026) plus £1,035 per year of Immigration Health Surcharge (5 years upfront).
The hard part: Documenting the grandparent’s UK birth: a birth certificate, plus an unbroken set of birth and marriage certificates linking the applicant to that grandparent.

Citizens by 2034.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
5 years, renewable for 5 years at a time.
2032
Permanent residence
Indefinite Leave to Remain: pass the Life in the UK test (ages 18–64), prove English at B1 or above, and spend no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.
2033
Apply for citizenship
With a language test and a civics test.
2034
Citizenship
The decision usually takes 6 months.

Language: English at B1 or above (an approved test or a degree taught in English); usually already shown for settlement.
Civics: The Life in the UK test: 24 questions in 45 minutes on British traditions, history and customs, £50. Passed once, it counts for both settlement and citizenship.
Time away: At least 5 years living in the UK, with no more than 450 days outside it in those 5 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. You must also have held settlement for 12 months.
Two passports: Yes. You keep your U.S. citizenship.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: UK tax residence follows the Statutory Residence Test once settled there; no special regime for this visa.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Check eligibility and apply from outside the UK.Open gov.uk ↗
Gather these documents.
- The papers that prove the family tie
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health cover for the move

Postern can’t run this for you yet.

Which state do you live in?

Postern can’t run this for you yet: it runs this application for CA citizens, and the applicant is a US citizen.

Options open to you today →

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