Ancestral visa south Africa

hi,

Has anyone got experience with applying for an ancestral visa from South Africa. I am wondering specifically how long the process took?

Hi RichSA,

Its no big deal, I applied in person at the Pretoria British Consulate back in Dec 03.

I was in at opening time and out by lunch time with my visa.
You go in collect a ticket with number, then sit a wait until your number called up.

Then you give them all your paper work. I used my Mothers British BC and my Grand Mothers BC, as they both clearly stated that my mother was born of my Grand Mother and my full unabridged BC states I was born of my Mother, so the link is clear.

I also gave them two letters, one from a friend in the UK saying that I would be staying in thier 3 bedroom house, with tel numbers and contact details.
The second was employment offer, proving that I would be working in the UK.
I cant remember if I give them any bank statements, but that will help you case too.
Other small items, passport, photos ect.
Finally you pay whatever it now costs in Rands then sit back with a book and wait for your visa, should take no longer than two hours.

Good luck as I sure you are going to be one of the last Ancestral visas issued as this system is comming to a end soon , possibly in April 2008

Good luck as I sure you are going to be one of the last Ancestral visas issued as this system is comming to a end soon , possibly in April 2008

That is completely and utterly incorrect. The Home Office has made absolutely no announcement to this effect at all.

Dawie,

I don't know how and where you get your information from, but back in 2005 the was talk of discontinuation of the Ancestral visa.

Then on the 18/04/07 Mr Bryne anounced that in the future there would only be five ways to immigrate into the UK based on a points system, so this would mean a end to the ancestral visa system!

Rich ZA,
Let us know how your visit/application for Ancestral visa went at the BHC in Pretoria.

Siggi wrote:Dawie,

I don't know how and where you get your information from, but back in 2005 the was talk of discontinuation of the Ancestral visa.

Then on the 18/04/07 Mr Bryne anounced that in the future there would only be five ways to immigrate into the UK based on a points system, so this would mean a end to the ancestral visa system!

I believe that the talk arose primarily from an article in The Times. I also believe (but don't have a link to hand) that any question of abolition of the ancestry visa was discounted by the Home Office.

Of course, the government could decide at any time to abolish this route of entry to the UK, and I suppose it is not unlikely that this will happen at some stage. However, the ancestry visa shouldn't be confused with a work permit as such, since it isn't a work permit - rather, holders of an ancestry visa don't require a work permit: a subtle difference, perhaps, but real nonetheless.

Then on the 18/04/07 Mr Bryne anounced that in the future there would only be five ways to immigrate into the UK based on a points system, so this would mean a end to the ancestral visa system!

He did not, in fact, announce that there would 5 ways to immigrate to the UK, he announced that they would be "consolidating more than 80 existing work and study routes into five tiers". As you can see there is a substantial difference.

The new points system consolidates work-related permits and visas but does not include visas relating to ancestry, asylum and dependents.

My personal opinion is the ancestry visa will not be abolished any time soon. Ancestry visas make up a relatively small proportion of visas issued annually. In addition ancestry visas have been a lifeline to many white Zimbabweans stuck in Zimbabwe who only have Zimbabwean citizenship and there would be significant political consequences if this route was abolished.

Guys,
I really hope that Dawie and Christophe are right.
But I'm sure that with the HO track record of the last 24months, it proves to me that they can not be trusted .