UK Ancestry Visa... I got mine!

Hi all,
Just thought I'd share the tale of our UK Ancestry application process, and restore a bit of faith in the UK - Canadian immigration systems.

I've been living in the UK for the past four years on an ancestry visa that expires at the end of the year. Having heard of the ridiculous processing times for UK Ancestry extensions (I fell into that gap of having been issued a 4-year Ancestry Visa, before the rules changed) and already having planned to visit family in Canada, I decided instead to simply apply for a new ancestry visa while back in Canada.

Thursday, October 8th:
My biometrics appointment - noon sharp, downtown Vancouver. I had made the appointment online only a couple of days earlier, and there were lots of places available. Quick and painless process, just a quick review of my application form, a photo and some fingerprints. Having already prepared my supporting documents, I couriered my application to Ontario that same afternoon.

Tuesday, October 13th:
I receive an email confirming that my documents were safely received in Ottawa. Also mentioned is the fact that I can expect processing to take up to 15 working days. Probably would've normally happened a day earlier, except Monday was a holiday.

Wednesday, October 14th:
I receive a second email confirming that my visa has been issued. ONE DAY after they received my documents. I'm given a postal tracking number to follow the package back.

Friday, October 16th:
My passport, complete with UK Ancestry visa, is in my hot little hands. I would never have believed it would have happened so quickly.

So - I just thought I should report the good news - it's far too often the doom & gloom that gets reported.

- Colin

Hey Colin, congrats on your visa! What documents exactly did you submit? I am in the process now and want to ensure I have everything so that it goes through as smoothly as possible

Steph

Steph,

I just got my UK Ancestry Visa too. I submitted my documents as a portfolio (in a binder in those plastic paper protectors that you can slide paper into). This way it made it easy for them to find what they needed. This is what I submitted, in order.

When you go to Biometrics, they take your application, the picture you brought with you, and your passport and put it in a "tamper-evident" package. You take this package along with your other documents and send it in. (Make sure you print your application (after you submit it) and also print the confirmation email showing you paid. If you dont print your application, they will charge you $140 plus printing fees to print it at your biometrics meetin).

I sent in:

The tamper-evident package containing my application, biometrics, passport, and photo .

Proof of payment of application fee (around $450.. which includes the cost of return shipping fee from ottawa).

All three ORIGINAL long-form birth certificates. mine, my moms, my grandfathers. They must be long form.. not the plastic wallet size ones. I had to have them ordered specially and paid extra for expedite shipping. Mine from NB was $100 and arrived in one day, my moms from ontario was $50 and arrived in 2 days, my grampy's came from england and was 26pounds and arrived in one week. (make sure you order from government websites because its cheapest). Remember - don't send a photo copy.. it has to be directly from the register / issuer.

Financial information - some ppl (including the application) say submit the last 3 bank statements but i didnt. I went to the bank and told them I needed a official letter saying exactly how much money I had available to me. So they added up all my accounts and wrote a letter saying I had "this much" available. I had $8,000 but i know ppl who had $3,000 and got it.

Letter of Support - I had my boyfriend who lives in the UK write me a letter of support saying he can provide me with accommodations and will support me until I can find a job. I didnt need any proof that he had a place in the UK (ie didnt need a bill, and didnt need a rent contract).. just the letter which he signed, and I photocopied his UK passprot.

Letter of Intent to find employment. I wrote a letter like this "To whom it may concern - I am writing this letter to express my full intention to find employment upon entering the UK. Types of jobs i will apply to are....... I have these qualifications...." etc etc. Also I started to look for jobs on a website called guardian.co.uk and sent in an application so i would have an email saying "Thank you for your application to this job".. I printed that email to prove i wasnt going to bum off their welfare system and would actually try to find a job.

Additional random documents - I worked at a camp and had a police background check done for it, so I just added that to the pile (but dont go get one! its not needed!) and I added my university transcripts just to prove I was actually a masters student and not faking it (again not needed).

I submitted my application online and paid the fee then booked my biometrics apt for 2 days after. Once you have your bio apt. you only have like 10 days to mail in your package so make sure you have everything before you book the apt.

I mailed in my package Tuesday, October 20th 2:00pm, got an email saying they received it Wednesday October 21st 8:30am, then got another email saying they had issued my Visa, Thursday October 22nd 9:30am. and to allow 2 days for it to return.

If anyone has questions please feel free to send me an email because I know how helpful this website was and how anxious and worried I felt at times because there wasnt anyone to talk to for help! So please message me!!!!

Best of luck!!

Hi all,
Just thought I'd share the tale of our UK Ancestry application process, and restore a bit of faith in the UK - Canadian immigration systems.

I've been living in the UK for the past four years on an ancestry visa that expires at the end of the year. Having heard of the ridiculous processing times for UK Ancestry extensions (I fell into that gap of having been issued a 4-year Ancestry Visa, before the rules changed) and already having planned to visit family in Canada, I decided instead to simply apply for a new ancestry visa while back in Canada.

Thursday, October 8th:
My biometrics appointment - noon sharp, downtown Vancouver. I had made the appointment online only a couple of days earlier, and there were lots of places available. Quick and painless process, just a quick review of my application form, a photo and some fingerprints. Having already prepared my supporting documents, I couriered my application to Ontario that same afternoon.

Tuesday, October 13th:
I receive an email confirming that my documents were safely received in Ottawa. Also mentioned is the fact that I can expect processing to take up to 15 working days. Probably would've normally happened a day earlier, except Monday was a holiday.

Wednesday, October 14th:
I receive a second email confirming that my visa has been issued. ONE DAY after they received my documents. I'm given a postal tracking number to follow the package back.

Friday, October 16th:
My passport, complete with UK Ancestry visa, is in my hot little hands. I would never have believed it would have happened so quickly.

So - I just thought I should report the good news - it's far too often the doom & gloom that gets reported.

- Colin

Hi Colin.
Wonderful account of your successful UK Ancestry Visa app...Thankyou..would you be so kind as to help me please...I am a Canadian, age 55, from the Vancouver area living in Edinburgh, Scotland for 6 months (Sept. 2/09 to March 1/10)..the max I can stay as a Commonwealth visitor. I want to move to Scotland permanently, and having my grandfather born in Edinburgh (1884), am eligible to claim UK Ancestral status with the UK Ancestry Visa. I am assembling all my docs here in Scotland during the next 4 months(the remainder of my stay) to be ready to land in YVR go straight to apply for my visa and return to Scotland as quickly as possible.. For I cannot apply for the visa over here, I must go to Canada for that. My first question..is..I can't find the actual form anywhere for the UK Ancestral Application (INF9)..could you please post a link or let me know if it is actually available on line, please excuse me if it's right infront of me here in the forum. I joined the other day after a very upseting day in Glasgow going to UK Border Services..trying to find answers to moving here...the guard was not into helping..I left in great despair and after my Man here googled and searched this wonderful forum appeared with such hope for us..the day turned completely around for us..If the form is not online..how do I obtain one..in Vancouver or can I write away for one..or even ask a friend to go and pick one up for me in YVR and mail it to me here. Another question..where exactly in Vancouver do I go...the British Embasy down town? and I think the last question for now is...as soon as I receive my approved Visa for UK Ancestry, can I simply get on a plane and fly back here..no waiting for a period of time.. Since I am entitled to entry it seems to me that I should be welcome..since I have an Edinburgh address..I have a flat I am renting with a girlfriend, am financially secure and solvent ..I sold my house and business in BC and have a bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland (BRC) as well as my Canadian Bank Accounts with Bank of Montreal...And I am ready, able and willing to work..

Really really appreciate your help Colin or anyone in the Forum who can offer assistance..Thankyou In advance..
Loragene

Hi, I'm about to mke my appoitment to go to the british consulate in ottawa for my Right of Ancestry Visa (both my grand-parents were british) and I have ALMOST everything I need except for the sponsor's mortgage or whatever that is...?? Do I really need it? And about the money I'm supposed to have in my bank account, is it okay if I put some in just 2 days before my appointment??

Many many thanks!

Hi, my grandfather was born in the UK and I would like to apply for an ancestry visa. Do I just fill out the VAF2 form as an application, or do I have to fill out an online application as well. The Visa4uk website doesn't allow me fill the VAF2 form online, so I've printed it off and filling it out manually.

I have all the long birth certificates, my passport, current photo and the VAF2 form. I also need to get my biometrics done.

Does anyone know what else I need. Do I have to have a copy of my bank account, if so, how much am I required to have in it. Also, my boyfriend owns a business in the UK and would it help to have a letter from him indicating that I will have employment there?

Also, what fees are we required to pay with this application?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hello All,

I am hoping perhaps someone here might be able to help clarify a few things for me but I am [sadly LOL) a U.S. citizen. Can one qualify for the Ancestry Visa (UK - with Scotland as a preference) if one's great grandparents were born in Scotland? My great grandfather was born in Peterhead, Scotland and my great granny in Glasgow. Both were born in the early 1860s. I have their parish [?] birth records which I obtained from ScotsOrigins.com some years ago. They died here in the States in Massachusetts. Are great grandparents too far down the line to consider as qualifying? I also have a a testimonial to my great grandfather from the Royal Humane Society dated 1884 (presented because he saved the life of someone at sea) but doubt that would help. I am self employed as an illustrator and could keep my present job so would not need to find work; although, I'd like to get additional work. I am paid in royalties and hope it might give me a good shot. Thanks so much and best of luck to you all and a Happy, Healthy, New Year as well.

Technically, I believe you must be a Commonwealth citizen to avail yourself of the ancestry visa.

Besides, it only extends to your grandparents.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... ncestry#Q1

Hi,
I am in the process of applying for my UK Ancestry Visa. I would like to move to the UK by June 2010 with my husband. My husband, however, is not elibigle for a UK Ancestry Visa. Can he apply for a Spousal Visa of some kind simultaneously or do we have to wait until I have my UK Ancestry Visa before he can apply for a working visa in the UK? Is he eligible for any kind of visa at all?? The closest appointment we can have is in Ottawa and seeing as we are in Montreal, we would prefer going for our biometrics at the same time.
Thanks for you feedback / suggestions / help.

Sorry in advance for throwing a wrench into this very hot topic...

I suppose after reading all of this, I could have applied for Ancestry visa rather than Right of Abode. Good lord, so daunted by all of this and perhaps now I've chosen the wrong one. Sigh..

I'm a Canadian male, born March 4th, 1972. My wife is British and currently living in the UK. Both my grandparents were born in England, but they renounced their British citizenship sometime after immigrating to Canada. However, my mum was born in England and she is to this day, a British citizen. I've applied (just today) for Right of Abode through her. I've paid the fee and filled in the app online, printed it off and put everything together, marriage certs, long form birth certs, passport, etc etc and sent it off to Ottawa for processing.

So anxious to get back with my wife and after reading people getting their Ancestry within a week or so has sent me for a loop! Does anyone on here have some good stories or feedback to share in regards to Right of Abode? and because I'm a worrier by nature and believe me, this is all insanely worrying... if I was denied Right of Abode, can I turn around and apply for Ancestry?

Either way, I'd love to hear feedback in regards to ROA if anyone out there has something to throw at me...

Thanks kindly and sorry again for interupting this ancestry thread.

I also have recently received my ancestry visa. I just had an email from someone asking me about the process so I'll cut and paste my response here in case it helps anyone. This website was very helpful to me so I hope I can help answer questions for someone else. Cheers. See you all in the UK.

Yes, I did get my Ancestry visa. It is easy to get if you have all the correct paper work in order. My boyfriend lives there, so I'll be staying with him. I am heading over on the 17th of Feb.
It's easy to get the application on line, just do a bit of a search on Google. this is the paperwork that I had to include in mine;

- copy of my grandfather's birth certificate. I emailed away for that - he was born in Wales. The more information that you have the better for them to find the papers. When and where they were born excreta. I payed the extra amount to have it rushed - I think it cost me about 60 pounds? Sorry can't remember.

- copy of my grandfather's marriage certificate - full form - when you contact the province that they were married in the form that you fill out will ask witch one that you need - you need the full form.

- copy of my parent's marriage certificate - same as above.

- long form birth certificate for your parent and also a long form (the long form is different than the one most of us have in our wallets - it lists your parents information as well) for yourself. Again you contact the province that you need. I payed extra to have it done quickly. I was born in Alberta so I sent away for that and my parents/grandparents were both married in Saskatchewan and that was also where my mother was born, so I send away for all of them at the same time and only had to pay the additional cost once, not for each document. All the forms from within Canada were here in a week. The papers from the UK - I don't remember, but I would say that it was no longer than two weeks.

-All your old passports from the last 10 years if you have them.

-Bank statements that are current. Basically I was told that you have to have a minimum of $1000 in your account for them to even consider giving you the visa. I also included the current copies of my RRSP's just to help.

- I also include a letter from my boyfriend and a photocopy of his passport. The letter just stated that he had his own home and business and would be supplying me with room and board while I was over there. I don't think this is necessary but I was advised that if you have a contact it was advisable to do so.

-After you have all the information you have to fill out a form on line. I printed it out and started filling it out while I was getting all my papers together - very helpful. Once you have it all together you can fill out the form on line and submit it. Then you have to go to Vancouver and hand in all your forms, info, get fingerprinted and so forth. Oh, and I had to include recent photos for the visa.

-The fee for applying is about $400 I think...plus all the fees to get all the paper work together. Once you submit your form then ask you print it out and then make your appointment in Vancouver. The meeting in Van is short and they send all you info to Ottawa. The woman in Vancouver told me it could take about 12 weeks.

I was in Vancouver on January 5th and did all the paperwork there (it was a Tuesday). On the following Thursday morning I had an email that to confirm that they had received my passport and all supporting documents in Ottawa. On Friday I had an email that my visa had been approved, and I received my passport with the visa, by courier, the next week. Keep in mind that the day that you want your application to be activated is on your visa - not that day that it is approved. My visa is valid starting on Feb 15th and is good for 5 years.

Hope that helps. There is a great website Canuck Abroad or something and that is where I got most of my info. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me.

Good luck, perhaps I'll see you over there!