ILR Checker is an independent information site. It is not part of the Home Office or GOV.UK and does not give legal advice.

Visa routes

UK Ancestry visa and ILR

UK Ancestry is recognised as a British connection, so it keeps a 5-year route.

Last reviewed 4 November 2026Based on the Government response CP 1707

5 years for UK Ancestry

Under Earned Settlement, UK Ancestry is one of the recognised British connections. UK Ancestry visa holders can therefore be on the 5-year pathway.

What you still need

  • no criminal record in the UK as an adult
  • no Government debt
  • English at B2 level, up from B1
  • a pass in the Life in the UK test
  • the minimum contribution of £12,571 a year, or £25,142 as a couple
  • no public funds in the last 5 years and no adult immigration breaches

See which pathway applies to you, and your earliest estimated date.

Check my pathway

Family members

Partners and children on your UK Ancestry visa can settle with you if they meet the requirements that apply to them. See dependants.

Questions and answers

Do I still need to be working?

UK Ancestry already requires you to work or plan to work. Under Earned Settlement you also need to meet the minimum contribution.

Is the B2 English rule new for me?

Yes. B2 replaces B1 for most applicants, including UK Ancestry.

This is not legal advice. This guide explains the Government’s published proposals for Earned Settlement, which are not yet in force and may change. For advice on your own situation, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or solicitor, or check GOV.UK. Read our full disclaimer.