UK Ancestry Visa for South African Citizens
If you want to move from South Africa to the UK, and have a grandparent that is British, you could be eligible for an Ancestry Visa.
Our immigration lawyers can offer you immediate advice online or over the phone, contact us now on 0333 305 3612
Applying for UK Ancestry Visa from South Africa
An Ancestry Visa is for citizens of Commonwealth countries who have a grandparent that was born in the United Kingdom. This permit will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, whilst here you can work and study.
If you wish to stay here after these 5 years, then you could renew your visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Unlike a Skilled Work Visa, the Ancestral route doesn’t require you to have been offered a job in the UK before you move here, making this an easier route if you are eligible.
Moving from South Africa to Britain is a big step, if you don’t want to do it alone then you can also bring family members with you on an Ancestral Visa. This includes partners and children. Your family members can apply online from South Africa to join you, or they can also apply online within the UK if they are already here and wish to remain with you.
Eligibility Requirements for UK Ancestry Visa
Before applying for a UK Ancestry Visa, you should make sure that you can meet the eligibility criteria. For a South African citizen to be eligible for an Ancestry Visa they must:
- Have at least one grandparent who was born in the UK
- Be at least 17-years-old or over
- Intend to work in the UK
- be able to prove you meet the financial requirements to support you and any dependents whilst in the UK without relying on public funds
Supporting documents for UK Ancestry Visa
When applying for an Ancestral Visa there are a number of documents you must submit to support your application.
These include:
- A passport or valid travel ID
- Bank statements to prove you meet the financial requirements
- Tuberculosis test results (South African citizens are required to submit these)
- Evidence that you intend to work in the UK, such as job offers or a business plan
As well as these documents you will need to submit some ancestral documents to prove your eligibility, these include:
- Your birth certificate
- The birth certificates of the parent and grandparent that your Ancestral Visa claim is based on
- Marriage certificates if your parents or grandparents were married
- Adoption papers if you were adopted
- If your partner is joining you, you will also need to submit your marriage or civil partnership certificate
Gathering these documents can be difficult, but our lawyers can help you to do this and check that you have everything required for a successful application.
Get in touch to find out more about how we can help.
How do I apply for a UK Ancestry Visa from South Africa?
To apply for a UK Ancestry Visa you must apply online whilst your are still in South Africa.
You will also need to go to a Visa Application Centre to have your biometric information taken as part of your application.
The application process can be complex, but our immigration lawyers can guide you through it.
They can help you to gather any documents, prepare and submit your application and will even monitor its progress.
If you are under a tight deadline to submit your application for an Ancestry Visa our lawyers also offer a Fast Track Application Package.
To find out more about our application packages, or get immediate advice from one of our professional immigration solicitors, call us now on +44 (0) 3334149244.
How much does it cost to apply for a UK Ancestral Visa?
The cost to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa is £726.
You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge to be able to use NHS services in the UK.
As well as these costs you must be able to prove that you can financially support yourself and any other dependents whilst in the UK.
How can we help with Ancestry Visa from South Africa
The UK immigration process can often be complex, time-consuming, and costly. When applying for an Ancestral Visa you must make the application whilst you are still in South Africa, this can make the process even more confusing.
But thanks to our immigration lawyers, applying for a UK Visa from South Africa can be straightforward and stress-free.
Our solicitors offer appointments over the phone or via video call to discuss your situation with you. If you choose to hire one of our lawyers, they will assess your eligibility for an Ancestral Visa, check that you have the correct supporting documents, and will even prepare and submit an application to the Home Office on your behalf. They will also monitor your application’s progress by communicating with the Home Office until you receive a decision.
For more information about our UK Visa application packages or to get advice from one of our expert immigration lawyers, call us now on +44 (0) 3334149244.
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.
Last modified on August 18th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll typically receive a decision of your Ancestry Visa application within 3 weeks (around 15 working days) after applying, completing your identity verification, and submitting your biometrics. This is the standard timeline per UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) guidance.
