Immigration DNA testing services

Our immigration DNA testing service is the fastest in the UK, with next day results as standard.

Our immigration DNA testing can be used to support immigration cases, applications and appeals, as well as passport applications. The results we provide are accepted by all the relevant authorities in the UK, and we pride ourselves on our quick turnaround time.

Our DNA sample collection service is available to visit you or your client anywhere in the UK. You can have your sample collected for free at one of our Walk-in Centres. Our sample collectors follow strict procedures to ensure the integrity of the samples, which is crucial for this type of testing.

We do the hard work so you don’t have to. Our friendly and professional case management team will manage your case from start to finish. We will work directly with your client to schedule all appointments, so you can relax knowing that we will handle everything. There are many reasons to choose London Medical Testing, and this is just another one.

Same or next day DNA immigration results

At London Medical Testing, we understand that meeting deadlines is incredibly important in immigration cases and appeals. That’s why we provide next-day immigration testing as standard. We need to be committed and work hard to achieve our goals. In order to achieve our goals, we need to be diligent and work hard.

This DNA immigration testing is among the quickest in the UK. We can provide you with results within the same day if you need them. We provide the most competitively priced DNA immigration testing services; most other companies would only provide this express service at an extra cost.

When you use our free sample collection service at our Walk-in Centres, you could save an average of £80 per instruction, resulting in even greater savings. Our walk-in centres are convenient and flexible, as they allow you to come in without needing to make an appointment. Clients are welcome to visit us during our opening days and times to have their samples collected free of charge.

We collect samples from 90 countries

We understand DNA immigration testing

DNA testing can be used to verify the biological relationships between family members. This tool becomes invaluable in supporting immigration cases when it is used to determine the relationships of UK citizens’ family members.

If someone in your family is already a permanent resident of the UK, then other family members can come to live permanently in the UK as well.

If you are applying for British citizenship and are required to submit evidence of a relationship to a UK family member, the UK Visas and Immigration service may provide DNA testing as an additional option. This DNA test must be carried out and documented in a way that meets the legal requirements for admissibility in a UK court or immigration hearing.

The Legal Aid Agency provides extensive information to help people determine if their case is eligible for legal aid funding.

We recommend that anyone seeking an immigration DNA test use the legal aid checker as a starting point before embarking on the complex process of applying for legal aid for an immigration, visa or passport application.

Approved DNA immigration testing

London Medical Testing is a company that specializes in DNA immigration testing. For over 15 years we have worked with the British Embassy and some of the largest immigration lawyers. Our DNA immigration tests are accurate and accepted by UK courts, the Ministry of Justice, the UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement.

At London Medical Testing, we take great care to ensure that our immigration DNA testing processes are the best available, so you can be confident that you will receive the fastest, most accurate results possible.

Worldwide sample collection​

We have a UK-wide network of sample collectors, and can also collect DNA samples from immigration centres or consulates if necessary. We work with embassies on a regular basis and have a lot of experience with immigration cases.

If you require an immigration test, please email our Legal sales team at info@londondnaclinic.com.

The immigration test results provided by London Medical Testing are accepted by the Home Office in the UK.

Free UK sample collection

London Medical Testing has made it a priority to establish a comprehensive network of qualified sample collectors throughout the UK, who are able to collect DNA, drug and alcohol samples that will be legally admissible.

Our Walk-in Centres provide an average £80 on DNA immigration testing when compared to other providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

An immigration DNA test is often required when a UK citizen is sponsoring the immigration of a relative who needs to prove to the Home OfficeUK Visas and ImmigrationBorder ForceImmigration EnforcementHM Passport Office, embassy, or consulate that the person seeking UK citizenship/a UK passport is a blood relative.

 

For example, if a child is born abroad to a parent or parents who are UK citizens, a Home Office approved DNA test may be required to confirm paternity or maternity, which will allow the child to be granted UK citizenship.

While documents such as birth or marriage certificates will usually be enough to prove a relationship for immigration/visa or passport applications, DNA tests can prove invaluable, provided the applicant has independently decided to submit DNA evidence to support a relationship (as they cannot be asked to do so by officials).

A DNA test for a Home Office visa application or a UK passport application might be needed if the client/applicant is applying to join their family members who are already living in the UK as permanent residents, or if they are applying for a UK passport based on a familial relationship.

A person submitting an immigration or passport application will usually be required to submit supporting documents such as birth or marriage certificates.

These documents are often enough to prove a relationship for an immigration application or a passport application.

However, where more evidence is required, or there are no official documents available (e.g. birth certificates), the applicant might choose to take a DNA test to prove a biological relationship to family members residing in the UK.

It’s important to note that the applicant must independently decide to submit DNA evidence, as they cannot be asked to do so by Home Office officials.

When performing DNA testing for immigration/passport applications, a cheek (buccal) swab is rubbed on the inside of each donor’s cheek to collect cheek cell DNA for analysis.

There are certain collection standards that must be met for the DNA evidence to be admissible to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration and HM Passport Office.

This includes ensuring the DNA samples are collected under strict chain of custody conditions. When samples are collected under chain of custody, a trained sample collector will obtain the DNA samples from each donor, and photographic identification must also be obtained.

The donors must also provide consent (usually a signature) for their samples to be used for DNA testing. For children under the age of 16, consent must be provided by a parent or guardian with parental responsibility for the child.

Anyone aged 16 or over must provide their own written consent for the DNA test to be performed.

As soon as the DNA samples arrive at the laboratory, they are analysed and compared to determine whether the individuals being tested share enough matching DNA markers to verify a biological relationship.

If they share enough DNA markers, they are likely to be biologically related (e.g. parent and child, aunt/uncle and niece/nephew, full or half-siblings, cousins etc.).

The London Medical Testing DNA test can accurately analyse and compare up to 42 DNA markers, double the industry standard, for a conclusive result.

Examples of DNA testing being used for visa/passport applications include:

  • If a child is born abroad to UK citizens and parents are seeking citizenship for the child. In this instance, the individual may choose to have a paternity or maternity test to confirm parentage.
  • If a relative plans to move to the UK and they want to submit DNA evidence to confirm a familial relationship (where a UK citizen is sponsoring them for citizenship or a visa), they may decide to have a complex relationship DNA test

Complex relationship DNA tests can be used to verify a biological relationship between siblings, grandparents and their grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their uncle(s) or aunt(s) or even tell us the likelihood of two or more people being cousins.

For DNA testing to be admissible in support of immigration/visa and passport applications, the Home OfficeUK Visas and ImmigrationHM Passport OfficeBorder ForceImmigration Enforcement and embassies require the DNA testing to be performed by a UKAS ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratory.

We are also Ministry of Justice approved to perform parentage DNA testing.

Our DNA immigration tests are recognised and admissible to UK courts, the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and HM Passport Office.

A DNA test for UK immigration/passport applications is performed by rubbing a swab on the inside of each donor’s cheek to collect cheek (buccal) cells for analysis.

These samples are then analysed and compared in the DNA laboratory to identify matching DNA markers (loci) and verify a biological relationship between the donors.

If the individuals are related, they will share enough DNA markers to verify a biological relationship. If they are not related, this will not be the case.

There are also certain collection standards that must be met for DNA evidence to be admissible to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration and HM Passport Office.

This includes ensuring the DNA samples are collected under strict chain of custody conditions. When samples are collected under chain of custody, a trained sample collector will obtain the DNA samples from each donor, and photographic identification must also be obtained, to ensure samples are collected from the right people.

When collecting a DNA sample from a foreign location, a sample collection kit will be sent to the required foreign location, and an appointment can be arranged via a local GP, medical practice, hospital, or another approved clinic in the applicant’s country.

The DNA samples are then collected (both in the UK and abroad) under chain of custody, with the donor(s) required to provide a form of ID, including photographic identification.

London Medical Testing is an expert in collecting DNA samples from people living in other countries.

We operate alongside a large international network of sample collectors, who work closely with immigration centres, consulates, and embassies worldwide to ensure a fast and efficient service, collecting samples from over 90 different countries worldwide.

Our DNA tests for immigration are accepted by the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, and UK courts.

Once the DNA samples arrive at our laboratory, our geneticists extract the DNA from the cheek cell samples using the very latest methods and techniques in DNA analysis.

Our DNA laboratory analyses up to 42 DNA markers (loci) – double the industry standard for DNA testing – to determine whether two or more individuals are biologically related.

The DNA test looks at Short Tandem Repeats (STR markers), specific locations on a chromosome made up of sequences of repeated DNA.

Every person has two copies of each STR marker, known as alleles: one inherited from the father and one from the mother.

The two alleles observed at each STR marker are then compared between the tested individuals. If enough matching markers are found, this provides evidence of a biological relationship.

Statistical calculations are then performed to determine the probability of the tested individuals sharing a relationship.

Depending on the reasons for the DNA test, the results will be reviewed by an immigration, nationality and asylum caseworker, immigration and border force officer or passport examiner.

When reviewing the results, the caseworker or passport examiner is required to carefully review the DNA testing laboratory’s explanation of the headline results when considering the application.

If the results do not verify a biological relationship between the applicant and the other sample donor (family member), the case will be referred to a senior official for further consideration.

All our DNA tests are 100% accurate and reliable based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

Our DNA test results are accepted by the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, and UK courts.

The cost of a DNA test for immigration depends on several factors including where the samples need to be collected from (e.g. foreign location) and which DNA relationship test is required (e.g. paternity, maternity, sibling, aunt/uncle or grandparent).

 

Depending on the circumstances, the applicant may be entitled to legal aid towards the cost of the DNA test.

The Legal Aid Agency has produced a wealth of information to assist individuals who want to check whether they are eligible for legal aid funding.

We recommend that anyone seeking an immigration DNA test use the legal aid checker as a starting point before embarking on the complex process of applying for legal aid for an immigration or passport application.

We also offer a six-month interest free payment option for private individuals seeking a DNA test for immigration/passport applications.

We understand that with immigration/passport applications and appeals, the need to meet deadlines is incredibly important.

That’s why we provide next day* DNA test results as standard for immigration cases. We can also offer same day* DNA test results if required.

* working days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am