The cost of a UK Ancestry Visa in 2025 is £637 for new applications made from outside the UK and £1,258 for extension applications made from inside the UK. However, these figures only reflect the application fee that must be paid to the Home Office to process your visa application. In addition to the application fees, there are a various other costs that you might have to pay as part of the application process. In our guide to the real cost of a UK Ancestry Visa, we’ll look at the true cost of the visa and all the fees you'll have to pay.
At just £637 for a new application, Ancestry Visas are one of the cheaper immigration routes into the UK for anyone lucky enough to be eligible. Unfortunately, the broader picture is not so rosy. Successive governments have increasingly treated immigration as a revenue source, aiming to capitalise on the influx of migrants into the UK. This has led to increasing application fees but also the introduction of other charges such as the Immigration Health Surcharge, which recently was increased by 66%. These charges, along with others as part of the application process, make the final cost of the visa much higher than the application fee suggests. So, how much does a UK Ancestry Visa cost in 2025?
The table below shows the full costs for a UK Ancestry Visa in 2025:
These costs mean that even in the best-case scenario, you will pay a minimum of £5,812 for an overseas application or £6,433 for an application made from inside the UK. Depending on the complexity of your case, how many additional services you need and how quickly you want a decision, you could easily spend over £7,000 on your application.
It’s important to note that these costs are just for the main applicant. If you have a dependant spouse or any dependant children, you must pay the application fee and immigration health surcharge fee for each applicant.
The costs associated with your application vary depending on your location, circumstances, and other factors. In the section below, we will examine each of these costs in turn.
This is the fee required by the Home Office to process your application. Once paid and submitted, the fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected or withdrawn before a decision is made. The payment must be made in full when submitting your online application.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was introduced in 2015 and is a required fee for almost all migrants to the UK. In 2024, the annual cost increased from £624 to £1,035 for adults and from £470 to £776 for children and students. A few exceptions exist, but the fee applies to Ancestry Visas as the visa is granted for six months or longer.
The IHS must be paid in full when submitting your online application. The total cost is based on the visa duration, and as Ancestry Visas are issued for 5 years, it is a considerable sum. The total IHS payable for the main applicant is £5,175, with an additional £5,175 payable for any dependant spouse and £3,880 for a dependent child. If the application is refused or withdrawn, the IHS fee will be refunded.
Priority Services are available for most visa types, including Ancestry Visa applications. While optional, they are popular for applicants seeking a faster decision, particularly for extensions. In the UK, you can pay an additional £500 for the Priority Service or £1,000 for the Super Priority Service, which provide decisions within 5 and 1 working days, respectively. A £500 Priority Service is available for applicants outside the UK, but the turnaround time for most Ancestry Visa applications is just 3 weeks. Therefore, most applicants don’t opt for a priority service.
Many applicants hire an Immigration Consultant or Lawyer to handle their application. Due to the complexity of the process and the emotional impact of a refusal, many find it a worthwhile investment. However, many applicants also successfully apply without professional assistance, so it is not a requirement. If you decide to use an advisor, ensure they have a strong reputation and are regulated by the OISC or the Law Society. First Migration’s services and fees are amongst the most comprehensive and competitive in the UK visa and immigration market.
The last step in the application process is attending a Biometric Appointment. These appointments take place at designated centres in the UK or overseas, and you will provide your biometric information and, if necessary, submit any remaining supporting documents. Free appointments are available if you have flexible scheduling, but additional fees may apply for appointments at short notice, outside regular hours, or on weekends.
Since 2012, obtaining a tuberculosis test clearance certificate has been necessary if you’re applying from outside the UK and have lived in, or are currently living in, a country with a high prevalence of Tuberculosis. The cost of the test varies by location, typically ranging from £20 to £200. Be sure to choose a provider that is recognized and approved by UKVI.
All documents you submit in support of your application must be in English. If any document, such as a bank statement, is in a foreign language, it must be translated by an approved translator. The cost of translation depends on the type and number of documents, as well as your location. Always ensure that the translator you select is reputable and recognized by UKVI.
