Ancestry Visa - Processing Time

Hi,

I am considering applying for a UK ancestry visa. I travel frequently for my current work and cannot be without my passport for too long.

How long has it taken for most people to get their visa from the time they surrender their passport? I am well educated, have a strong record of employment and clear evidence of my UK ancestry.

I have tried three times to ask this question via email to worldbridge. The responses back were totally unhelpful. to the point of just being funny.

Thanks!

I applied for my visa online on Wednesday March 20th, went for my biometrics on Thursday March 27th, got approved Thursday April 3rd and got my visa back the next day, Friday April 4th.

My friend applied online Saturday March 22, went with me for biometrics on March 27th, got approved Tuesday April 1st, got her passport back Thursday April 3rd.


We both sent our applications with documents after biometrics from Edmonton by rush to arrive Monday March 31st in Ottawa.

So all together, 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how fast you get your appointment for our overall experience.

Thanks Tigerlea. I am based in Ottawa so I guess it should be even a bit faster. The response I had back from Worldbridge was indicating 12 weeks!. this would be too long for me to be without my passport.

Ahhh. don't worry about it they always give conservative estimates just so that you don't go and yell at them if it takes awhile. IT CAN take that long if you case is complicated by something but if it's straightforward it shouldn't take too long at all.

We applied the 26th of april, had our biometrics appointment in edmonton the 28th of april, rushed our documents to arrive in Ottawa on the 2nd of May, received an email on the 3rd of may saying that they were there and we should hear something within 15-60 days?? Yikes!

It is now the 7th of May and I have not heard anything. It is a joint ancestry visa application. Does this take longer? We are not married yet, but will be before we go. Does anyone know how long this should take? I know they have had new systems put in recently.

We are just a bit nervous. Should we be? My fiance's ancestry is very clear.

We went for our biometrics on Monday June 7th. We got an email on Wednesday the 9th saying our paperwork had arrived in Ottawa. On Friday the 11th an email came saying the visa had been issued. Today the 14th our passports arrived with the Visas. I cant believe how quick the process is. My recommendation is to include as much paperwork as possible. The more you show them the better.

It looks like most of you apply somewhat middle-of-the-year, but has anyone applied during the late December/early January area? Because of the holidays, it must take a tad longer, but into the new year, do you think it would be as quick?

Thanks.

Hi,

My wife and I applied in November and the process from submitting the online application to getting the visa back took a week and a half.

If you are interested they also offer a priority service:

Priority service
Available in Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver only.

Cost: CAD $145.60 + taxes. The amount paid for the priority service, as well as visa fees, are not refundable if visa application is refused or, in exceptional cases, take longer than 48 hours to process the visa application. The courier service is not included with the priority service and is sold separately.

This service is available for all visa categories with the exception of Tier 1 (General) and settlement visa applications. Priority service applications will be processed ahead of other visa applications and within 48 hours of acceptance/receipt at UK Border Agency offices in Ottawa. Please see the criteria below:-

Available for applicants who meet the following criteria:-

* Have not previously been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
* Have not been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or
* Have not previously been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
* Have not overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
* Have not been refused leave to remain in the UK

Cheers,

Robert

After months of using this site to get my ancestry visa on the go, I wanted to tell my experience to help out other people in the process.

The first time I applied for a AV, I went to Vancouver on a Monday (14th), got an email Tuesday (15th) saying my papers arrived in Ottawa, another email Thursday (17th) saying "a decision had been made" (it was a no) and had my package at my door 11am on Friday (18th).

The second time I tried, went to Edmonton for my biometrics on a Wednesday (2nd), my papers arrived in Ottawa on Friday (the 4th), I was approved (!!!!!) on the Wednesday (9th) via email, and I'm still awaiting my passport (it's the 13th).

It's seeming to take longer because it was approved, but maybe that's for other reasons. Maybe if it takes longer that's a good sign

Hi Trishah,

Were you told why you were rejected the first time? What did you do different the second time that got you approved?

Thanks,
Erynella