Ancestry VISA or Student Visa?

Hello,

I am able to go over to the UK to do a PhD if I want. I have the option of applying for a regular tier 4 student visa, or to apply for an Ancestry Visa.

I would prefer the ancestry visa because it would be more beneficial for work in the long run and settlement at the end of 5 years. I would obviously just need to have the intent to work. But if I go over I would be doing a PhD and staying at the University. Is this what I would put down as where I am planning on staying? If anyone knows of someone that was unable to go to school with an ancestry visa, also let me know.

Also, all I have is notarized copies of some of my parents and grandparents documents for the ancestry visa. Will they be sufficient for the consulate to grant me an ancestry visa in conjunction with my own original documents. Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

hi,

Did you ever find an answer to this?

I'm in the same boat and can't find a straight answer anywhere. I think it is ok to go in on an ancestry visa, but the problem seems to be that if you are trying to get ILR when your visa expires you need to prove continual employment. If you are a student and not working that time does not count.

I can't answer your questions about the documents, but you can apply for another ancestry visa for a further 5 years once your first one expires, and work towards your ILR on that.

Finally. I just received the following answer from the visa folks for anyone who is trying to figure this out in the future...

"There is nothing in the Immigration Rules to state that a person in the UK with leave to enter or remain under the UK Ancestry cannot study if they choose to. However, this may impact on any extension applications or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications, if they do not meet the basic requirement of this grant of leave, which is to either take or actively seek employment."

"Working full time and studying a part time course may not affect any future applications. However, if a person is studying more than they are working, or not working at all, they would not be able to provide the required evidence for any extension or ILR application."