UK Ancestry visa: photo and application guide
Commonwealth citizens aged 17+ with a UK-born grandparent can live and work in the UK for 5 years. Leads to settlement.
Quick answer
45 × 35 mm photo · £726 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each of the 5 years · biometrics at VAC
Photo specification is the shared UK 45 × 35 mm format. Biometric photo is captured at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment. Fee £726 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each of the 5 years. Processing 3 weeks standard at most VACs. Last reviewed .
Application route
| Full name | UK Ancestry Visa |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Commonwealth citizens aged 17+ with a UK-born grandparent can live and work in the UK for 5 years. Leads to settlement. |
| Application route | Online application via GOV.UK with birth-certificate evidence proving the UK-born grandparent |
| Fee | £726 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each of the 5 years |
| Processing time | 3 weeks standard at most VACs |
| Biometric appointment | Yes — at a VAC |
| Official portal | GOV.UK — UK Ancestry visa ↗ |
Photo specification
The UK Ancestry visa uses the shared UK biometric photo standard. The digital photo uploaded with the online application is checked against this spec; the biometric capture at the visa application centre takes a fresh photo for the Home Office record.
| Size | at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation |
|---|---|
| Head height | head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop |
| Background | plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile) |
| Glasses | Only if you have to wear them; not tinted, eyes clearly visible |
| Digital file | jpg or jpeg, at least 600 × 750 pixels, vertically orientated, file from 50KB to 6MB |
What to watch out for with the UK Ancestry visa
Ancestry is one of the most stable UK long-stay routes — straightforward eligibility, low refusal rate when the grandparent paperwork is documented. The visa gives you 5 years, and the biometric record taken at the visa application centre is what border officers check on every entry during that time.
Frequently asked questions about the UK Ancestry visa
What size photo do I need for a UK Ancestry visa?
at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation, file size 50KB to 6MB, in jpg or jpeg. The UK Ancestry visa uses the UKVI digital standard: head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop, background plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it, neutral expression. The biometric capture itself happens at the visa application centre appointment.
How much does the UK Ancestry visa cost?
£726 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each of the 5 years. The visa fee is paid online during the application; the VAC service fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are separate charges.
How long does the UK Ancestry visa take to process?
3 weeks standard at most VACs. The clock starts after you attend the biometrics appointment, not when you submit the online application.
Is the biometric appointment mandatory for the UK Ancestry visa?
Yes — at a VAC.
Will I receive a card with my photo on it?
No. Plastic cards (Biometric Residence Permits) are no longer issued: UK Ancestry visa status is held as an eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account. You prove it with a share code through the "view and prove" service — that is what border officers, employers, banks and landlords check.
Other UK visa categories
Prepare your UK Ancestry visa photo
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the UKVI 45 × 35 mm format and biometric framing automatically.