UK Ancestry visa: South African citizen in South Africa → United Kingdom
Commonwealth citizens from South Africa who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man can apply online for a UK Ancestry visa to live and work in the UK for 5 years, then prove their identity at a visa application centre.
Lets Commonwealth citizens who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man come to live and work in the UK for 5 years.
- Validity
- You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in South Africa
- VFS releases appointment slots up to ~90 days ahead; if you see “No slots available”, new slots are often added — retry over the next few days.
- You can book any centre in your country of residence — a centre in another city often has earlier slots.
You can apply if you're a Commonwealth citizen and can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
You must prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
You must apply online for a UK Ancestry visa before you travel to the UK. A UK Ancestry visa costs £726.
Book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity, where you'll have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
What you'll need
- Passport / travel document — A current passport or another valid travel document. ✓ verified
- Birth certificates proving ancestry — Your full birth certificate and the full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent your ancestry claim is based on. ✓ verified
- Evidence you plan to work — Evidence that you're planning to work in the UK, for example job offers you've received or a business plan if you're self-employed. ✓ verified
- Proof of funds — Evidence, such as bank statements, that prove you can support yourself and any dependants in the UK — it must be dated within 31 days from when you submit your application. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply online before you travel, then book an appointment at a UK visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photograph and prove your identity.
Fees
| UK Ancestry visa | GBP 726 |
Gotchas to watch
- You can stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa.
- After 5 years you may be able to extend your visa for a further 5 years, or apply to settle permanently in the UK (apply for 'indefinite leave to remain').