UK Ancestry visa

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Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your visa and stay in the UK for a further 5 years. You must apply before your current visa expires.

You can extend this visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

You can also apply to settle in the UK permanently if you鈥檝e lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa.

Your partner or child鈥檚 visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Fees

For each person applying you鈥檒l need to pay:

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply online, you鈥檒l be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo) - there鈥檚 no fee for this.

You鈥檒l also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

  • upload them into the online service
  • have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

Extend your visa online

You must apply online to extend your visa.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

  • do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
  • do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you鈥檙e applying to extend your visa in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

After you apply

Once you鈥檝e applied you can stay in the UK until you鈥檝e been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

You鈥檒l be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

  • if your supporting documents need to be verified
  • if you need to attend an interview
  • because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

How long it takes to get a decision

You鈥檒l usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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