I got my VISA! UK Ancestry :)

I have about $10K in savings and investments so I hope that is OK for the adequate funds part. Guess I will book short-term accommodation to show I have arranged something and go from there.

Cardobaman - good luck with the application and the move! Where are you moving to?

My family are all from Northern Ireland and I can't wait to discover my roots (but I will be settling in London). Can't wait!

Hi
Have a few questions regarding the UK ancestry visa. I suppose I am in the right spot. According to what I've read I'm eligible for an ancestry visa.My Grandfather was born in Hastings England. I'm just wondering what the process is like? I've already spent some time in Scotland working, i had a "working holiday visa" after high school.about 8 yrs ago. It was organized through SWAP and I really had nothing to do with The process, other than handing over a cheque, bank statements and a few personal references. What exactly is involved with the applications? Obviously a grandparents birth certificate,
though what else. I have a bank of Scotland account that I've kept while working in the UK yrs ago. is that something helpful? Are they selective regarding those who have uni or college degrees? any info would be great!
thanks.

cdngeoff- I was in Edinburgh 8 years ago too; I was on Working Holiday from September 1998-2000. I did the BUNAC thing too (I think the office was on Blackfriars Street then and Elise was the co-ordinator). I would of stayed for good but RBS didn't want to have anything to do with going through the hassle of going through all the red tape. Fortunately I've stayed in contact with several people I worked with there and always said "if you can come back, there will be a job for you". Unbeknownst when I met my wife, we never realized she had a UK-born grandparent, so the door opened back up again.

It's relatively easy.

Using the follwing sites and the forums here as a guide, and you'll be fine. We're applying in late July for a September departure. It's good you kept the bank account; I wish I did. As far as $$, Her Majesty's only cares that you can support yourself "adequately" while looking for employment and that you have some kind of preparation for accomodation (thankfully I do have that as a last resort). They just want to make sure you won't be a burden on their society (unlike this country).


For your applications, you'll need the LONG FORM versions of the birth certificates (and marriage certiifcates where required); the little card in your wallet won't do. You can get these from your province of residence, and ones for the UK through the Home Office website. You have to complete your application and pay online (currently $431 plus $15 courier fee). Within two weeks, you have to go to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and complete your biometrics- fingerprint scans and photos and go over your paperwork, and then submit it to the British Consulate. YOU CAN'T VISIT THE BRITISH CONULATE IN PERSON. The only VAC's that I know of here are Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. They say it can take weeks to be approved, but I've only read of visa decisions being made within 72 hours. You apparently have up to 90 days to enter the UK and then it's good for 5 years. If you go to the Toronto VAC (like us), they will submit the application to the consulate for you (but ONLY from this location; the others you have to send yourself). Documents we have at present:

Wife's grandmothers' long form UK birth certificate
Wife's fathers' long form Ontario birth certificate
Wife's long form birth certificate
Current passport

Those show the family lineage.

I need-

Long form marriage certificate to my wife (so I can apply as a dependant)
Current Passport

Collectively, show proof that we have $$$ and recent bank and pay statements

Letters from friends over there to state they can help us find work and/or have accomodation for us.

I have extra paperwork also as we have a pet coming (lots of work, but can be done somewhat easily to avoid quarantine)

http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk ... 9169928132

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs

http://www.canadianexpats.com/index.cfm

amaryllis- Edinburgh is the plan at present; thanks for the good luck. I think the only luck I'll need is telling my supervisor and boss that I'm leaving (once I'm approved), they won't like it too much!

I am applying for an Ancestry Visa. I have a common-law wife but cannot find out how to go about her application. There doesn't seem to be one for dependents.

I did get a response from Worldbridge telling me to print a VA2 out. But that is all they said. Yes.being from Canada.I am told they only accept 'online' applications. ?

Also, should I get my clearance first and then have my wife apply?

I'm confused.any info would be very appreciated.
Thanks.puffalump

According to an immigration specialist on another site I visit, you can both apply at the same time- that's what my wife and I are doing (she's the Ancestry visa "main applicant", and I'm the dependant applicant).

I'm relieved to see someone else going through a similar application process. Would you happen to know the site that you went through? It would be so very appreciated.

www.canadianexpats.com

They have an Immigration section, you'll see my posts. VictoriaS is the immigration lady.

We were approved today! We're so excited!