Ancestry Visa Extension

What Is the Ancestry Visa Extension?

A UK Ancestry visa extension is the process of renewing the visa after it expires. If you live in the UK on an Ancestry visa, you can extend your permission to stay for another five years if you meet the eligibility requirements. 

The Home Office allows you to extend your Ancestry visa each time it expires, provided you continue to meet the visa conditions. To ensure a successful application, it is essential to evaluate your eligibility before applying and follow the correct application process.

Our lawyers at IAS can help you determine if you are eligible to extend your visa. Call us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 to discuss your situation.  

Who Is Eligible for an Ancestry Visa Extension?

All UK Ancestry visa holders qualify for an extension if they satisfy the following requirements:

• Are one of the following:
  • A citizen of a Commonwealth country
  • A British overseas citizen 
  • A British overseas territory citizen 
  • A British national (overseas)
  • A citizen of Zimbabwe
• Can demonstrate ancestral links to the UK by proving that one of their grandparents was born:
  • In the UK
  • On a British ship or aircraft, or
  • The Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922
• Can prove that they have been legally working and living in the UK on an existing Ancestry visa, or are actively searching for new employment
• Can demonstrate that they have been catering for themselves and their dependents without relying on public funds and can continue to do so.
• Can ensure that there are no grounds for refusal on their application, such as a criminal record, false or incomplete information, or violation of immigration laws

When Should You Apply for an Ancestry Visa Extension?

Submit an application for extension of your UK Ancestry visa 28 days before your current permission to stay expires. Doing so gives the Home Office sufficient time to process your extension request without a risk of overstaying your visa. 

If you apply for a visa extension after expiry, the Home Office may reject your application, as you will be considered an overstayer. 

However, you may have a 14-day window after your visa expires to submit an extension if you have a good reason beyond your control for not making an early application. Some exceptional reasons include a medical emergency or the bereavement of a family member. 

The Home Office may also overlook an overstay if you submit a reapplication within 14 days of a refusal.

How Much Does It Cost to Extend an Ancestry Visa?

Here is a breakdown of all fees associated with a UK Ancestry visa extension:

Service	Cost
Extension application fee	£1,407
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	£5,175 (For five years)
Immigration Health Surcharge (Under 18 dependents)	£3,880 (For five years)
Optional Priority Service	£500
Optional Super Priority Service	to discuss your case.  How IAS Can Help With Your Ancestry Visa Extension Application At IAS, we understand the importance of expert guidance during the immigration process; therefore, we are committed to helping you achieve your dream of a continuous stay in the UK through extending your Ancestry visa. Our expert immigration lawyers can offer advice and support tailored to your situation. We can help you prepare the required supporting documents, ensuring a strong application. Our lawyers can also help you explore complicated cases, such as those with criminal records, employment gaps, and if you are applying with dependents. We know how to apply the immigration rules to each situation to increase the chances of a visa approval. If you have recently experienced a denial, we can help you with an administrative review or reapplication, whichever best suits your situation. Our fees are transparent, and our packages suit all applicants.  For immediate help with your Ancestry visa renewal and other UK immigration applications, call us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back through our online contact form. We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone. Contact Us Written by Immigration Advice Service Ono Okeregha Director – Immigration Advice Service Ono Okeregha is the director of the Immigration Advice Service. He is a committed human rights and immigration lawyer. He was awarded the IoD North West SME of the year award and commended for his work in equality, diversity, and inclusion. Legal Disclaimer The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided. Frequently Asked Questions Am I eligible for a UK Ancestry Visa renewal? In order to qualify for a UK Ancestry Visa renewal, you must continue to meet the following requirements: Be 17 or over Have enough money to support yourself without accessing public funds Work in the UK Be a citizen of the Commonwealth You will also need to ensure that you have a Biometric Residence Permit to accompany your application for an Ancestry Visa extension. What does a British Ancestry Visa extension allow me to do? If you renew a UK Ancestry Visa, you can live and work in the UK for another five years after your Ancestry Visa expires. You can also study on your Ancestral Visa, UK universities will accept this as a valid visa for their immigration checks. You can also apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) once you have lived for a continuous period of five years minimum. If you are unable to apply for ILR while on your current UK Ancestry Visa, extending your visa may be a good option to allow you to do this. You cannot apply to change or switch to this visa if you are already in the UK. You also cannot access public funds. How long does a British Ancestry Visa extension process take? A decision will be reached on your UK Ancestry renewal: within eight weeks for postal applications; or the same day with the premium service (generally). You will be contacted if your application is going to take longer to process: if any of your supporting documents need to be verified; if you are summoned to an interview; or for any exceptional personal circumstances (for example, if you have a criminal conviction). What services does IAS offer? Our team of expert immigration lawyers can help you to make sure that you are fully prepared for your application for an Ancestry Visa extension. We will: ensure there are no issues with your documents; complete your Ancestry Visa extension application form to the highest possible standard; liaise with the Home Office, particularly in the case of any exceptional circumstances; assist you with making an application via the Home Office’s Premium Same-Day Service, if you choose this route; and prepare a Letter of Representation to accompany and support your extension application. Contact us on 0333 363 8577 today or make an enquiry online to speak with a qualified immigration lawyer about extending your UK Ancestry Visa. What our clients are saying Immigration Advice Service4.7 Based on 2008 reviews Siddhartha Basu 3 days ago Saima Jabeen was extremely helpful during my advice session. She gave clear guidance and followed up with a detailed advice letter. Farhine Chowdhury was assigned as my caseworker, and provided me expert support and advice throughout the process. I am pleased to have made use of IAS' services. Edoardo Vescovi 4 days ago I could book a non-urgent appointment within 2 weeks. The person on the phone was very kind to go through multiple available dates with me and finalise the booking for the entire 5-10m. The person on the video-call was knowledgeable, highlighting points that I had overlooked, despite gathering and reflecting on my information for quite a while. I'm still using that advice today. Marilyn Schoechlin 4 days ago I had a very good contact and their advice were clear. Manuel Márquez Ruiz 5 days ago I highly recommend IAS. Thanks to Anne Liu who has been utterly professional yet a wealth of expertise. Always a polite and approachable case lawyer, with remarkable both customer service and efficient assistance in the whole process for a successful visa application. 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While the advice I ultimately received clarified a number of important points, I had hoped that the specific issue of possible evacuation from Gaza, including whether there might be an exceptional or alternative legal mechanism, could be explored further. Overall, I appreciate Mark’s professionalism and the time he spent considering my circumstances. I am grateful for the assistance provided and for the clarity of the advice I received. peter mccann 1 week ago Very helpful and knowledgeable Eddie O'Neil 2 weeks ago Highly recommend this service. My caseworker, Charlene Phillips, was very knowledgeable, professional & was able to answer all of our questions & put our minds at ease. She helped my partner & I with the guidance we needed to make a plan which would finally see us re-locate together. Noah Izadpanah 2 weeks ago I am incredibly grateful to Clare for all the support and hard work she has given me throughout my asylum case. After everything I have been through, receiving my Visa was an incredibly emotional and unforgettable moment for me. Clare was always patient, supportive and understanding, and she stood by me throughout a very difficult period of my life. I truly appreciate all the time, effort and care she put into my case. Her support meant more to me than I can put into words, and I will never forget her kindness. Thank you so much, Clare, for everything you have done for me. ❤️ David C 2 weeks ago Ms Saimah Razzaq assisted me in successfully obtaining my wife's settlement, having helped on her prior visas also. She has always been professional, efficient and helpful in advising exactly what documents and other information is required that she then checks prior to finally submitting the application. She will answer any questions that you you may have, and gives feedback along the way. I can highly recommend Saimah to assist you. 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He’s been incredibly professional and meticulous with our paperwork. He helped us navigate the complex process of visa extension and moved so quickly whenever we needed extra help - even drafting custom letters to prove my right to work and rent while we wait for the decision. His warm, collaborative approach made this process incredibly easy. I can't thank him enough and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a brilliant immigration lawyer! Ahmed Mansoor 3 weeks ago I did my Spouse Visa Application inside the UK with the help of IAS and my case worker was Abdul Mutee who helped me throughout the process from documentation to the application and finally after the application I got a positive response from the home office. Nesrine Shalabi 3 weeks ago My residency was renewed promptly and without glitches. 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From our very first consultation, they were professional, patient, and completely clear about what documents I needed. ILR applications can feel overwhelming, but Saimah Razzaq went through everything with incredible attention to detail and kept me updated at every step. Thanks to thier hard work and expertise, my application was approved immediately a day after my biometrics! I coudn't recommend them enough to anyone navigating the UK immigration system! We are the UK’s leading immigration specialists IAA Accredited UK Immigration lawyers We’ve had over 25,000 applications approved We are open Mon–Fri, 8:30am–8pm & Sat–Sun, 10am–4pm. How our UK Immigration Lawyers can help At the Immigration Advice Service our lawyers specialise in a wide range of UK visas, nationality and asylum applications and have represented clients in various successful complex and high-profile cases. Contact Us Get in Touch Head Office: Immigration Advice Service Ashwood House, Ellen Street Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom Head Office Phone: +44 (0)333 414 9244 Email [email protected] We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you. Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below. Your Name Your Email Address Your Telephone Number Your Message I am happy to receive promotional emails from the IAS. Subscribe Newsletter sign up First Name Last Name Email Address Related pages for your continued reading Spouse Visa Obtaining a spouse visa can be nerve racking. You want to get it right the first time and we want that for you as well. Get in touch with us for a personalised spouse visa application service. Fiance Visa A fiance visa is for those who are engaged to a UK national or settled person and want to join them in the UK with plans to get married within six months of joining their partner. Unmarried Partner Visa If you have an unmarried partner who is a foreign national, they may qualify for an unmarried partner visa. Learn about the requirements and process here. Adult Dependent Visa Do you have a parent who depends on you? or another elderly relative? The Adult Dependent visa might be right for them. Learn more here. Child Dependent Visa The UK Child Dependent visa allows holders of certain visas/permits to bring their foreign child to join them in the UK. Family Visit Visa Are you looking to visit your family member who lives in the UK? We can help you obtain a family visit visa. Learn more here. In the news Get in touch with our team Learn about our professional services and find out how we can help. 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