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 · £637 visa fee plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge for 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 £637 visa fee plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge for 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 | £637 visa fee plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge for 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 VAC takes a fresh photo for the BRP card.
| Size | 45 × 35 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 29 to 34 mm chin to crown chin to crown |
| Background | plain light grey or cream, even illumination |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned since 2016) |
| Digital file | JPEG, minimum 600 × 800 pixels, maximum 240 KB |
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 biometric photo from the visa becomes the BRP photo; treat it as a 5-year document.
Frequently asked questions about the UK Ancestry visa
What size photo do I need for a UK Ancestry visa?
45 × 35 mm portrait orientation. The UK Ancestry visa uses the standard UKVI biometric photo: head 29 to 34 mm chin to crown, plain light grey background, neutral expression. The biometric capture itself happens at the VAC appointment.
How much does the UK Ancestry visa cost?
£637 visa fee plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge for 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 Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?
Yes — most UK Ancestry visa holders receive a BRP card on arrival in the UK (or by post for in-country switches). The photo on the BRP is the one captured at your VAC appointment, and the card is valid for the visa duration.
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.