UK Ancestry Visa Extension

While Ancestry Visas are initially granted for 5 years, providing sufficient time to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain, applying for an extension can sometimes be necessary. Our guide below on UK Ancestry Visa Extensions provides a complete overview of the process, fees, requirements and when this might be required.


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What is a UK Ancestry Visa Extension?

A UK Ancestry Visa Extension is an application to extend your stay in the UK on an Ancestry Visa. It's an application that can only be made inside of the UK and one that must be made before the expiry date of your existing Ancestry Visa. If you're looking to apply for an Ancestry Visa for the first time, you should check out our Ancestry Visa guide, which provides full details. 

When Ancestry Visas are first granted, they are issued for an initial term of 5 years. In most instances, this provides sufficient time for the applicant and any dependants to meet the requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, various circumstances can occur over the 5-year term of the visa, which means the applicant isn't able to apply for ILR. In these scenarios, the visa holder will either need to return to their home country or apply for a further extension of their leave. 

When Extending an Ancestry Visa Might be Necessary

While Ancestry Visas typically lead directly into an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, there are various circumstances where it may be necessary to apply for an extension of your visa. The following are all different scenarios our clients have encountered over the years:

  • Late Arrival to the UK - Once your Ancestry Visa has been issued, you should travel to the UK at the earliest opportunity.  If your arrival to the UK is significantly delayed, you may not meet the ILR requirements for 5 years of continuous residence. In this scenario, you would need to apply for an Ancestry Visa extension before then applying for ILR once you've resided in the UK continuously for 5 years.
  • Significant Absences from the UK - Applicants for ILR under the 5-year route need to meet residency requirements that limit absences from the UK to 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. Failure to adhere to these requirements will reset your period of continuous residence. Therefore, if you have significant absences from the UK during your Ancestry Visa, you will likely need to apply for an extension as you won't qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
  • Failure to Pass English Language Test or Life in the UK Test - Two other requirements for ILR are the English language requirement and the Life in the UK Test. To apply for ILR, you will need to satisfy both of these requirements. If you're unable to satisfy either of these requirements due to either failing or not taking the relevant test, you will need to apply for an extension of your Ancestry Visa. 
  • Good Character Requirement - The Good Character Requirement is a feature of every visa application, but it's particularly pertinent in applications for ILR. If you have been convicted of a criminal offence during your time in the UK on an Ancestry Visa, this may hamper your ability to satisfy the Good Character requirement for ILR. In some circumstances it may be possible or better to make an application for an extension of your Ancestry Visa, rather than making an application for ILR.

If you're affected by any of the above circumstances, please get in touch to discuss the specifics of your application. Our team has processed many complex applications and we can help advise you on the options available to you. 

 

Extending Your Ancestry Visa vs Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

In the past, some of our clients have sought our expert opinion on whether they should apply for an extension of their Ancestry Visa or whether they should apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). In some cases, it was because they were unsure whether they would remain in the UK for a prolonged period, while others were reluctant to take the English language or Life in the UK Test. Regardless of the reason, our advice has always remained consistent: if you qualify for ILR, you should apply. Here's why:

  • Cost - While the headline application fee for ILR is much higher (£2,885 vs £1,258), you don't need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS fee is a whopping £5,175 for an Ancestry Visa extension. This makes ILR a considerably cheaper option.
  • Rules Can Change - The immigration system is very politicised, and rules can change at very short notice. By obtaining ILR, you are safeguarding your future in the UK. 
  • Access to Benefits - Once you have obtained ILR, you can claim various benefits such as Universal Credit, Housing Allowance and Child Benefit. These benefits are not accessible to Ancestry Visa holders.
  • No Further Visa Applications - Once you have ILR, you do not need to make any additional visa applications. Should you want to apply for British Citizenship, you can choose to make a Naturalisation application. However, it's perfectly acceptable to remain on ILR indefinitely.

As part of our free initial consultation, we will assess your circumstances and provide you with all of the available options.

UK Ancestry Visa Extension Requirements

The requirements for a UK Ancestry Visa Extension vary slightly from the initial application. The initial application focuses on substantiating your age, nationality and ancestral ties to the UK through one or more grandparents. However, for an extension, the focus switches to your time in the UK and your ability to continue to support yourself and any dependants going forward. You will need to demonstrate:

  • Economic Activity - show that you are employed or self-employed and have been paying tax on your income.
  •  Maintenance Funds - prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds.
  • Adequate Accommodation - demonstrate you have appropriate accommodation in line with the Adequate Accommodation Requirement.
  • General Grounds for Refusal - you have not violated the immigration rules or have any criminal convictions.

Depending on your circumstances, additional requirements may need to be met. However, for most applicants, the above requirements should satisfy the UKVI case officer. 

 

UK Ancestry Visa Extension Document List

To successfully apply for a UK Ancestry Visa Extension, applicants will need to submit various documents to substantiate their eligibility. The specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances, but generally, the following documents are needed:

  • Valid passport or travel document: A valid passport or travel document confirming the applicant’s identity, nationality, and personal details.
  • Evidence of economic activity: For salaried applicants, this would include payslips, bank statements, and P60s. For self-employed applicants, this should include tax returns, bank statements and SA302 tax summaries. 
  • Proof of financial means: Evidence demonstrating the ability to support oneself and any dependents in the UK without relying on public funds. This may include bank statements and proof of savings or investments.
  • Supporting documents for dependents: If you have dependants you should include relevant documents such as passports.

All documents must be original and in English or Welsh. If any documents are in another language, they must be translated by an accredited translator.

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UK Ancestry Visa Extension Cost and Application Fees

As of 2025, the UK Ancestry Visa Extension application fee is £1,258. In addition to this cost, applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year. Since the visa is issued for five years, the total IHS fee amounts to £5,175, which must be paid upfront at the time of submission. Consequently, the total cost for a UK Ancestry Visa Extension in 2025 is £6,433.

For those applying with dependents, the following fees apply per dependent:

  • Application fee of £1,258
  • Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for adults / £776 per year for children under 18. Over five years, this totals £5,175 for adults and £3,880 for children.

Therefore, the total fees for an adult dependant on an Ancestry Visa Extension amount to £6,433, while for a child under 18, the total is £5,138.

UK Ancestry Visa Extension Processing Times

The processing time for a UK Ancestry Visa Extension is typically around 8 weeks. However, during some holidays and at peak times, this can increase to 12 weeks or longer. Providing you submit your application before the expiry of your current visa, you can remain in the UK until a decision has been made on your application.

If you want to get a faster decision on your application, you can select a priority service when submitting your online application. Priority appointments are subject to availability and incur additional costs, however they do guarantee a faster result. The Super Priority Service costs an additional £1,000 per applicant, and you will receive a result within one working day. The standard Priority Service costs an additional £500 per applicant and returns a result within five working days. 

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About Dean Morgan

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Dean is a founding partner of First Migration and has more than 20 years of experience in UK immigration. He is a trusted voice in the immigration community and regularly appears on GB News and other prominent news channels.

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