Separate or Independent Ancestry Visas for married couple?

[vanman]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for participating in a wonderful resource that has been a great help in understanding the immigration process. I would however still greatly appreciate your opinions on my reading of our unique situation.

I have accepted a job in the UK and will be applying for UK Ancestry Visa shortly (on the basis of my grandfather’s citizenship). My wife and infant son would like to obviously join me too. As she is also eligible for UK Ancestry (through her grandmother) we are considering the possibility of two separate Ancestry Visas or listing her and my son as dependants on mine.

A complication arises in that she is currently pregnant and will there like to delay her entry into the UK until such a date that is safe for her TB screening X-ray. Based on several discussions on this forum and my interpretation of the immigration rules, my understanding is that as a dependant on my Ancestry Visa she will be able to travel at a later date and won’t need to enter the UK with me. I also understand that she will be eligible for ILR when I apply after five years in the UK.

Seeing as she will unlikely be working in the first year of our arrival after our second child is born, I feel that her chances of getting her own ancestry visa will be slim. She has every intention of returning to work after this period which will be possible as a dependant of my Ancestry Visa anyway. Are the chances of obtaining ILR as a dependant still based on being employed or seeking work?

In summary, although we were initially advised by a third party to apply separately for our own Ancestry visas, I feel listing her and my son as dependants will be the best option. Does anyone have a compelling reason why this is not the case?

[CR001]

An Ancestry dependent does not have to work. She could stay at home for the whole period and still qualify for ILR.

[vanman]

Thanks for the quick reply. That is a relief.

Am I correct that my family can join me at a later date and not within the 28 days of receiving my vignette?

[CR001]

Thanks for the quick reply. That is a relief.

Am I correct that my family can join me at a later date and not within the 28 days of receiving my vignette?

Correct. They can apply at a later date for their dependent visas.

[vinny]

Moreover, an ancestry dependant spouse and child may apply for ILR at the same time as the ancestry holder under 196E and 199A respectively, regardless of their period of residence in the UK.

[vanman]

Thank you both for your help. We really appreciate it.