Applying for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of the UK Ancestry Visa

If you are currently on a UK Ancestry visa you should consider applying for indefinite leave to remain (settled status) to enjoy the benefits available to settled persons in the United Kingdom. You can apply for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of UK Ancestry after spending 5 years on this visa. The UK Ancestry visa is for citizens from Commonwealth countries who are able to provide evidence that one of their grandparents was born in the United Kingdom.  The UK Ancestry visa allows Applicants to work and study in the United Kingdom and allows family dependent applications. The UK Ancestry visa is valid for 5 years and can be extended. 

What are the requirements for a UK Ancestry visa?

In theory, the UK Ancestry visa application should be straightforward but in practical terms, the application can be burdensome, especially where there are issues related to providing evidence of a direct link to a British grandparent. In some circumstances, the British grandparent has passed or family tracing is required to locate the whereabouts of the British grandparent. We can assist with requesting for birth certificates of deceased British grandparents.  In order to apply for a UK Ancestry visa the following requirements must be met under the Immigration Rules:

• You must be a from a commonwealth country and provide evidence of the same;
• You must be aged 17 or over;
• You must provide evidence that one of your grandparents was born in the United Kingdom. If you were adopted by a British grandparent this is sufficient as long as the adoption is recognised by law;
• You must provide evidence that you are able to work and intend to work in the United Kingdom; and
• You must provide evidence that you sufficient funds to accommodate and maintain yourself in the United Kingdom with accessing public funds.

If your UK Ancestry visa application is successful you will be granted a 5-year visa and once you have spent this time in the UK you can consider applying for indefinite leave to remain.

What are the requirements for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of the UK Ancestry Visa?

The benefit of applying and securing indefinite leave to remain status is that you will no longer be subject to immigration control. Applicants who hold indefinite leave to remain will not have to apply for annual extensions which allow you to save costs in respect of Home Office application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge fees. Further, there is no time restriction on how long you can reside in the United Kingdom. You can also benefit from public benefits and services such as medical care (NHS) and income support. In order to apply for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of UK Ancestry the following requirements must be met:

• You must provide evidence that you are from a commonwealth country and that one of your grandparents was born in the United Kingdom;
• You must provide evidence that you spent a continuous period of 5 years lawfully in the United Kingdom with evidence of your activity i.e. working or seeking employment or studying;
• You must meet the residence requirements;
• You must meet the English language requirement and show that you have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK by passing an acceptable test, and lastly
• You must be of good character and you must not fall under the General Grounds for Refusal.

You can apply for British citizenship after 12 months of holding indefinite leave to remain.

How we can assist submit a successful indefinite leave to remain application on the basis of the UK Ancestry Visa

We prepare our indefinite leave to remain applications on the basis of UK Ancestry with a great amount of detail ensuring all the requirements under the Immigration Rules are met. We have a proven method of submitting successful applications. The key to submitting a successful application is providing the correct supporting documents. Without sufficient mandatory and supporting documents, it is likely your application may be delayed and later refused. It is not uncommon for underprepared applications to suffer severe delays. Our solicitors successfully guide Applicants through the application process and prepare detailed legal representations, which directly tackle all the issues, involved in the application and outline how the requirements under the Immigration Rules are met. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors prepare and assist with the completion of the indefinite leave to remain application form.

Using Legal Representation to submit an indefinite leave to remain application on the basis of the UK Ancestry Visa

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on the law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with your indefinite leave to remain application. Our Solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.

Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your indefinite leave to remain application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.

The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successfully apply for UK citizenship indefinite leave to remain on the basis of the UK Ancestry Visa

Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting an indefinite leave to remain application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of an application and are able to advise you in respect of your prospects and to ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

Our offices are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss an indefinite leave to remain application.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.