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Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK and you are a Commonwealth citizen, you may be able to apply for a UK ancestry visa.
If you are applying for a UK ancestry visa as a relative of a British citizen you will need to be able to provide evidence of their British heritage and yours. Locating the right documents can be difficult, especially if your grandparents left the UK a long time ago.
Our network of immigration solicitors understands that securing a UK visa can mean a lot to you.
A lawyer can guide you through the ancestry visa application and requirements including sourcing supporting documents and completing the application form correctly.
A UK ancestry visa is a visa that enables those who have family connections the right to live and work in the UK.
It is one of the most popular routes to securing UK residency as they last for 5 years, with the option to extend for an additional 5 years. Another option when an ancestry visa ends is to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
To qualify for a UK ancestry visa, you must intend to secure employment in the UK either before your arrival or soon after.
Once you've got the visa, you're not limited in the type of work you can do. Unlike some other visas, there's no restriction based on skill level or industry. You can dive into any job once you're in the UK
You can work for an employer in a role of your choosing, full-time part-time, or even in a voluntary capacity. Or, you may decide to launch your own business in the UK.
You can also study while you work and bring your family and children with you.
For your application to be successful, you must be able to support yourself financially, find accommodation, and pay rent. This is because individuals on an ancestry visa don’t have access to public funds, like benefits
You don't need to meet a specific savings threshold according to immigration rules. The key is to show that you can support yourself and any dependents, without relying on public funds.
When it comes to housing, you don't have to own or have previously rented a property in the UK to meet the requirements. Simply showing that you have accommodation available, like staying with a friend or a family member, is typically enough to fulfill the accommodation criteria.
If you're 17 or older and a Commonwealth citizen with at least one grandparent born in the UK, you might qualify for a UK ancestry visa.
The key requirement is having a grandparent born in Britain, by blood or adoption.
You can't switch to a UK ancestry visa if you're already in the UK on another type of visa.
You can only apply from within the UK if you entered the country with UK ancestry entry clearance.
You can apply to a UK ancestry visa if you meet all of the below requirements:
As part of your UK ancestry visa application process, you'll need to submit several supporting documents.
These typically include your passport or travel document, along with other paperwork that proves your British heritage and shows that you meet the eligibility criteria.
Depending on your situation, you might need to provide some or all of the following documents:
The earliest you can apply is three months before you plan to travel to the UK.
You can apply for an ancestry visa online before you travel to the UK.
You will then need to book an appointment at a visa application center to prove your identity. There your fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
You should be aware the visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while they’re processing your application.
Typically, it takes about three weeks to receive a decision on your UK ancestry visa application.
However, depending on your circumstances you may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
To apply for a UK ancestry visa, you'll need to pay an application fee, which currently stands at £637. Depending on your location, you might be able to pay an extra fee to expedite your application.
Additionally, you may be required to pay the healthcare surcharge upfront to access NHS healthcare while you're in the UK. This fee is calculated annually based on the length of your visa.
When it comes to hiring a licensed solicitor to assist with your ancestry visa, the cost can vary depending on factors like the complexity of your case.
On average, you can expect fees ranging from £675 to £900. However, in some instances, it could go up to £1,078.
If your visa application is approved, you can stay in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, as that's the duration of a UK ancestry visa. And the good news is, you have options to extend your stay.
Once your initial 5-year visa expires, you can apply for another ancestry visa, which will also be valid for 5 years. From there, you can keep extending for additional 5-year periods or choose to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you wish to settle permanently in the UK.
There's no limit on how many times you can extend your visa. However, if your goal is permanent residency, applying for indefinite leave to remain is the way to go, as you won't have to renew your visa every 5 years.
While a UK ancestry visa is valid for 5 years, if you leave the UK for more than 180 consecutive days within 12 months during your visa tenure, you won't be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
However, if you don't plan to apply for indefinite leave to remain, you can still extend your visa for another 5 years. Even if you've spent more than 180 consecutive days outside the UK in any 12 months of your visa, you can still apply for this extension.
You can bring your family members and children (dependents) with you while you live in the UK on an ancestry visa as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Dependents can include:
When applying, you'll need to show proof of your dependent's relationship to you.
If you're bringing your partner to the UK, you'll need to provide evidence for the following:
You’ll need to prove the following to bring your child to the UK:
Partners and children living outside the UK need to provide biometric information—photos and fingerprints—when entering the UK.
If they're already in the UK on a visa, they can either extend their current visa or switch to an ancestry visa, except if they're on a visitor visa, short-term visa, or study visa.
We understand how tough it is if your visa application is rejected. You've probably worked hard on it and had big plans for your future in the UK.
Visa denials by the Home Office often happen for a few common reasons. But if you carefully follow the process and provide all the needed documents about your heritage and ability to support yourself and your dependents, your chances of approval are usually good.
Your application might have been declined for these reasons:
Your options if your application is unsuccessful are to:
If your application has been rejected, our immigration lawyers are here to support you. We'll guide you on the best course of action based on the reasons for the refusal.
A successful application can make a huge difference in your life. Our experienced network of immigration solicitors is ready to assist you every step of the way, whether it's gathering family history documents, helping with application forms, or advising on the best visa route for you.
Contact us today for a free case assessment and begin your path to a successful application and future in the UK!
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
