Visa Start Date Vs Country Arrival

The only information I can find on the website is that the applicant must enter the UK on the date stated in the application. It's a little bit vague.

See eggo44's quote

Wadef I have to ask - have you ever had an ancestry visa?

No, but I've held a Tier 1 visa and a WHV before that - most of the same immigration rules apply as for Ancestry including the ones relevant to this post.

Edited by: wadef

'You can arrive in the UK at any time up until the 'valid until' date, but remember that this is also the last day that you are permitted to stay in the UK.'

Yep

so im guessing the 6 month thing is 'activation' - I will 'activate' my visa 3 months from application but i wont Enter the UK till our Volunteer program is done in Central America.

Does that sound about right?

Nope. Forget about 'activation'. Visa starts on the date on the visa which is the date on the application form. You enter whenever you want after that.

I have just received my UK ancestry visa. Unfortunately due to changed study plans I will now be arriving one month earlier than I stated on my application - do you think this will cause me troubles on arrival?

Quite likely. Best thing to try would be enter as a tourist then leave and reenter on your Ancestry visa when it is valid. You won't be able to work before you do that. Not sure about studying, you may be covered under a student visitor visa.