Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
What the Ancestry visa asks for
You can apply if you are a Commonwealth citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British national (overseas) or a citizen of Zimbabwe, and you can prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (gov.uk).
The eligibility page lists age 17 or over, enough money to support and house yourself and any dependants without public funds, and that you can and plan to work in the UK. A grandparent born before 31 March 1922 in what is now Ireland also counts. None of the eligibility points is an English test.
| Item | Gov.uk figure |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £726 |
| Length of stay | 5 years |
| Usual decision time from outside the UK | Within 3 weeks |
| English test for the visa | Not listed |
Where English is needed: settlement after 5 years
After 5 continuous years on the visa you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. Gov.uk says that if you are 18 to 64 you must meet the English language requirements and pass the Life in the UK Test (gov.uk). The ILR fee on that page is £3,226 per person.
The general English page says you can prove it with an English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level, or an academic degree taught or researched in English (a non-UK degree needs an Ecctis assessment) (gov.uk). Nationals of the majority English-speaking countries on the exemptions list, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica, do not need to prove it.
Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the gov.uk Ancestry visa guide before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.
Need a SELT for a UK visa?
Where the Home Office asks for a Secure English Language Test, IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are approved. Practise the format free.
Free IELTS for UKVI practice →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Bringing your partner or children
Gov.uk says you can bring your partner or child on this visa. When you extend, their visa does not extend automatically; they can apply at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.
Gov.uk says your partner and children can apply to settle if they have lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements. They cannot get most benefits or the State Pension while on the visa.
Frequently asked questions
Does my partner need an English test to join me on an Ancestry visa?+
The gov.uk partner and children section does not list an English test for the visa itself. Like you, they need to meet the English requirement if they later apply to settle aged 18 to 64.
Which test should I take for Ancestry ILR?+
Gov.uk asks for an approved Secure English Language Test at B1 or above, or an academic degree taught in English. IELTS Life Skills B1 is one approved option; see our IELTS Life Skills guide.
I am Canadian. Do I need English for ILR?+
No. Canada is on gov.uk's list of nationalities that do not need to prove their knowledge of English.
Can I switch to an Ancestry visa from inside the UK?+
No. Gov.uk says you cannot switch into this visa if you came to the UK on a different visa.
Keep reading
Related
- English level for ILR and British citizenship
- IELTS Life Skills explained
- UK Youth Mobility visa and English
- IELTS for the UK: scores by route
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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