Ancestry Visa Pricing

We are committed to complete transparency with our ancestry visa pricing. We will always endeavour to agree costs in advance of any case once we have had an opportunity to assess your requirements and the level of work required.

The follow information is provided in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Transparency Rules and in order to provide a good estimate of the sort of level of fee you will pay if you were to instruct us to assist with an ancestry visa application.

It is possible that there may be other costs that you would need to cover in addition to our fees and we have also provided information on those. Our aim is to enable you to have a good understanding of what the overall costs may be for your application.

Type of work and costs involved

Type of work: Fixed fee ancestry visa

Costs involved: Average cost of £4,000 plus VAT 

On average, this type of work takes approximately 16 hours to complete. 

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider

• Which language(s) you speak

• Whether you are applying with other dependants

• Complexities such as past refusals, criminal convictions, adverse immigration history

If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of this range.

All the figures given exclude VAT unless explicitly stated. VAT is charged at 20% unless specifically stated. However, charging VAT in relation to immigration matters may depend on where you live and what immigration permission you have. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us and we can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.

Please note: our fixed fees are non-refundable.

Our fixed fee includes us acting for you in the following key stages:

Initial Attendance and Discussion of Available Options

• Purpose: Understand client’s objectives, background, and eligibility.
• 1 to 2 working days after contact.

Assessing the Most Appropriate Course of Action and Application Based on Specific Circumstances

• Purpose: Evaluate eligibility (e.g. Commonwealth citizenship, grandparent's birth documentation, financial capacity).
• 1 to 3 working days.

Advising on Requirements of the Immigration Rules / Guidance Related to Ancestry Visas and Specific Evidence

• Purpose: Explain UK immigration rules, especially those governing the Ancestry route.
• Concurrent with Stage 2, typically 1 to 2 working days.

Advising on Method of Submission Priority

• Purpose: Choose between standard or priority processing, and advise on any location-specific options (e.g. VFS Global).
• 1 to 2 working days.

Assessing and Advising on Supporting Evidence

• Purpose: Review documents such as birth certificates, proof of employment intent, financial resources.
• 3 to 5 working days (depending on document availability).

Sourcing and Obtaining Further Evidence

• Purpose: Help the applicant or act on their behalf (where allowed) to obtain further required documentation.
• 1 to 4 weeks (depends heavily on external agencies, e.g. GRO, banks, employers).

Collating and Preparing Supporting Evidence

• Purpose: Organise, label, and prepare documents for submission in accordance with Home Office standards.
• 2 to 4 working days.

Preparing Detailed Representations with Index and Finalising Application Submission

• Purpose: Draft cover letter, legal representations, and complete online application form.
• 3 to 5 working days.

Further Submission / Providing Updates on Progress

• Purpose: Submit biometrics, track application status, respond to any Home Office queries.
• Ongoing after submission (Home Office processing times are typically 3 to 8 weeks for standard service).

Advising on Outcome of Application / Implications of Status / Application and Next Steps

• 1 to 2 working days after outcome is known.
• Purpose: Explain visa grant/refusal, future rights, and pathways to settlement or further leave.

If you can provide sufficient evidence and clearly meet the applicable immigration rules, the costs are likely to be at the lower end of the range.

Additional costs:

• Any Home Office Fees for making the Ancestry Visa application. This is paid to the Home Office directly as part of the application process. You can find an updated list of Home Office Fees here.

• Advice and assistance in relation to appeals for refused Ancestry Visa applications.

• Disbursements paid to third parties.

These fees can range from £15 - £2389 on average for general applications. Home office fees are exclusive of VAT, at the time of writing this article.

Please see the link to the home office page with the list of all fees.

It must be noted that not all immigration cases attract Value Added Tax (VAT). However, if VAT is applicable, 20% will be added to our fees, as well as any expenses or disbursements. All the figures given exclude VAT unless explicitly stated. VAT is charged at 20% unless specifically stated.

Potential expenses and disbursements:

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. It is not possible to estimate the value of disbursements at this stage as it is dependent on each case. We will let you know as soon as we know the cost of disbursements. Examples of disbursements include the below and are exclusive of VAT:

• Translations from £20 per page

• Interpreting from £25 per hour

• From £20 per hour attendance

• Travel from £15

• Waiting from £15

• Plus travel expenses (will depend on distance)

• Non-standard postage(will depend on quantity)

• Medical reports (will depend on work needed)

• Country reports (will depend on work needed)

• DNA reports (will depend on work needed)

• Printing and photocopying (will depend on work needed)

• Any Home Office fees (You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.  The fees change as advertised by the Home Office so we will always confirm the fees on the Home Office Website) / Interpreter fees/Independent expert reports. You can find an updated list of Home Office Fees here.

We will let you know as far in advance as possible when these additional fees are due to be incurred.

Please note: some experts and professionals charge VAT and others do not if they are not registered for VAT. If VAT is charged it will be at the standard rate of 20%. VAT is not chargeable to non-UK citizens. 

Factors that affect our fixed fees

• The type and amount of supporting evidence that is being considered

• Which language(s) you speak

• Whether any other dependants are included in the application

• Additional issues that may affect an application such as past refusals, criminal convictions and/or adverse immigration history

If you can provide sufficient evidence and clearly meet the applicable immigration rules, the costs are likely to be at the lower end of the range.

Will your fees increase?

This could occur if the work agreed in the fixed terms or quoted hours is exceeded because more work arises or work that was not anticipated. This can happen for several reasons e.g., you require more meetings and work than we had estimated for, or new or further evidence arises requiring consideration and instructions from you. Sometimes new material arise(s), requiring more extensive work. Delays caused by any matters can also increase time and costs.

How long does work for Ancestry Visas take to complete?

On average, the work involved in an Ancestry Visa application takes 16 hours to reach completion.

Who completes work for Ancestry Visa applications?

Kam Dhanjal (Head of Immigration) supervises Pritesh Davdra and Pritesh Davdra (Immigration Solicitor) supervises Kam Dhanjal. Both are qualified solicitors and accredited (Supervising Senior Caseworker)

All work at the firm is overseen by the partners - https://www.jdspicer.co.uk/site/people/partners/ 

How long does it take to make an application for an Ancestry Visa?

Timescale to submit an application for an Ancestry Visa

Applications for Ancestry Visas from the start of instructions take up to three to six months on average. The exact time it takes will depend on various factors, including the complexity of applicant's immigration history.

Timescale on return of application for Ancestry Visas

It is not possible to guarantee exactly how long the Home Office will take to process your application. You can learn more about the current processing times here.

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. Each individual Ancestry Visa application is unique, which means the hours and fees can vary from case to case. Our team will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of hours and fees once we have more information about your specific case and what actions need to be taken.

Key stages:

Obtain Instructions

• Initial meeting or correspondence to gather basic information about the applicant's background, immigration history, and objectives.
• Taking formal instructions, collecting personal details, and outlining the scope of services.
• 1 to 2 working days after initial enquiry or engagement.

Advise on Relevant Law/Legal Requirements to Meet the Criteria and Whether You Meet the Criteria

• Provide a clear legal opinion on eligibility under current immigration rules, including relevant policies, case law (if applicable), and requirements.
• Tailored legal advice on the specific visa route; identification of any risk factors.
• Estimated Timescale: 2 to 4 business days (may extend if complex issues or ineligibility need addressing).

Assist You to Collate Relevant Paperwork to Support Your Application

• Help identify and organise the necessary evidence (e.g., identity documents, financial records, employment or education proofs).
• Provide document checklists, assist with translations, advise on certification and formatting.
• Estimated Timescale: 3 to 7 working days depending on client readiness and document availability.

Complete and Submit Your Application to the Home Office

• Draft and complete all relevant application forms and legal representations. Submit online or via appropriate route.
• Form-filling, uploading documents, scheduling biometrics appointment, paying fees, and preparing covering letter.
• Estimated Timescale: 2 to 5 working days once documentation is ready.

Liaise with Home Office on Your Behalf

• Respond to requests for further information, monitor progress, and communicate updates to the client.
• Handle correspondence, resolve issues, or clarify supporting documents if required.
• Estimated Timescale: Ongoing post-submission until decision is made. Response times depend on Home Office service (standard = 3 to 8 weeks; priority = 5 working days).

Advise on the Outcome of Your Application

Explain the decision, its implications, and next steps (e.g. travel, employment rights, further leave or appeal options).

• Provide written and/or verbal advice on the approval or refusal, including documentation.
• Estimated Timescale: 1 to 2 business days after the decision is received.