Immigration

Private Immigration

The Immigration Department at Hazelhurst Solicitors is headed by Mr Quddus Ashu, Managing Director and an experienced immigration Solicitor.

UK Private Immigration Solicitors

Our Private immigration team assists clients from all over the world to navigate the complex UK immigration laws. Solicitors from our Immigration department can give advice to individuals or families if:

  • migrating to the UK
  • already in the UK, but seeking to regularise their immigration status, o
  • applying for further leave to remain, or settlement in the UK

UK ancestry visa: who can apply?

You can apply for an ancestry visa if you fall under the following category of persons. You must:

  • be a commonwealth citizen; and
  • 17 years of age or over.
  • be able to prove at least one grandparent was born in the UK and Islands. The relationship with the grandparent can be by blood or recognised adoption.
  • be able to work and intends to take or seek employment in the UK.
  • be able to show adequate maintenance and accommodation for yourself and any of your dependants in UK.

An ancestry visa leads to settlement after five years and there are no restrictions to employment. However, you cannot switch to an ancestry visa from within the UK. You must obtain entry clearance from the British Embassy or the High Commission of your home country.

How can I apply for an ancestry visa?

Apply from outside the UK: Applications are made online and the earliest is three months before your intended travel date. You must book an appointment at a visa application centre where you will show proof of your identity as a commonwealth citizen and have your biometric information taken.

What documents must I provide?

There is no specific prescribed evidence to provide, however, you must provide compelling evidence of your ancestry. You must also provide documents to prove that you are eligible to apply for an ancestry visa.

In addition, you must also provide evidence to meet the following requirements:

  • Evidence of your ability to work in the UK.
  • Evidence of maintenance
  • Evidence of accommodation

We will offer you the right advice on what documents you can provide, and we will help you throughout the application process until you receive an outcome.

Can I bring my family members?

You can also bring your family and dependants with you.

Settlement after five years

An ancestry visa leads to settlement after five years of continuous residence and there are no restrictions on employment. The requirement to show the applicant’s ability to maintain themselves is also relatively limited, as this could be met by just showing that the applicant will take up employment.

Can I come with my partner to the UK?

The answer is, yes. Your partner can also apply for entry clearance, leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain.

Entry clearance as a partner

The requirements to be met for entry clearance as a partner are as follows.The applicant must:

  1. be outside the UK.
  2. have made a valid application for entry clearance as a partner.
  3. not fall for refusal under any of the grounds for suitability–entry clearance; and
  4. meet all the requirements of eligibility for entry clearance as a partner.
  5. Unmarried partners must show evidence of two solid years of cohabitation.

To meet the eligibility requirements as a partner, you the applicant, your partner must be:

  1. a British Citizen in the UK or
  2. present and settled in the UK or
  3. in the UK with refugee leave or with humanitarian protection; or
  4. in the UK with limited leave under Appendix EU or
  5. in the UK with limited leave as a worker
  6. Or a business person.

In Addition:

  1. The applicant must be aged 18 or over at the date of application.
  2. The partner must be aged 18 or over at the date of application.
  3. The applicant and their partner must not be within the prohibited degree of relationship.
  4. The applicant and their partner must have met in person.
  5. The relationship between the applicant and their partner must be genuine and subsisting.
  6. If the applicant and partner are married or in a civil partnership it must be a valid marriage or civil partnership, as specified.
  7. If the applicant is a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, applicant must be seeking entry to the UK to enable their marriage or civil partnership to take place in the United Kingdom, and,
    1. Any previous relationship of the applicant or their partner must have broken down permanently, unless it is a relationship which falls within paragraph 278(i) of these Rules; and
    2. If the applicant is a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, neither the applicant nor their partner can be married to, or in a civil partnership with, another person at the date of application.
  8. The applicant and partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK. In addition to the above requirements, you must also meet financial and language requirements.

Our experienced immigration solicitors at Hazelhurst solicitors will assist you with all your visa queries and your with application processing. Contact our team today by telephone on 0208-945-7009 (London), 0161-669-5079 (Manchester), or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.