"Born in the UK on an Ancestry Visa: What You Need to Know About Your Child's Status"

 If your child is born in the UK while you are on an Ancestry Visa, they may not automatically be granted British citizenship unless one of the following conditions applies:

  1. Parent’s Status: If one of the parents is a British citizen or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the child may automatically acquire British citizenship at birth.
  2. Children Born in the UK to Non-British Parents: If you are on an Ancestry Visa, your child will not automatically be British, even if born in the UK. The child’s nationality will typically depend on the parent’s immigration status and the length of time they have lived in the UK.

What Steps Should You Take for Your Child?

Since your child is not automatically British in this case, you would need to apply for a visa for them to stay in the UK.

  • Child Dependent Visa: You will need to apply for a Child Dependent Visa for your child to remain with you in the UK. This is applicable if you hold an Ancestry Visa and the child is under 18. They would be considered a dependent and can stay in the UK as part of your visa application.

  • Nationality and Citizenship: If your child was born in the UK and you’re on an Ancestry Visa, you can later apply for British citizenship for your child if you meet the relevant residency requirements (usually, the child needs to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before applying).

  • Settlement and Citizenship: Once you secure Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status, your child might be eligible to apply for British citizenship, provided they've lived in the UK long enough.

Summary

If your child was born in the UK and you’re on an Ancestry Visa, they are not automatically British. You would need to apply for a Child Dependent Visa for your child. Once you gain settled status or ILR, the child could potentially qualify for citizenship.

For the best outcome, consulting an immigration lawyer is a good idea to guide you through the process of securing the right visa for your child and understanding their path to British citizenship in the future.

Contact Immigration Assist to register your Child's Birth in South Africa and to be issued with an ID number. You can then apply for a Passport and the Necessary Visas

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