ADULT DEPENDENT RELATIVE VISA (ADR)

The Adult Dependent Relative visa allows close family members living abroad to join a settled relative in the UK who can provide long-term personal care. If you are looking to bring a parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child to the UK due to health or care needs, this visa may apply.

The Adult Dependent Relative visa is available to family members outside the UK who need daily help with personal care due to illness, disability or age. To qualify, you must prove that:

• You are a parent, grandparent, sibling, son or daughter aged 18 or over of a UK sponsor.
• You require long-term care for basic tasks (e.g. washing, dressing, cooking).
• Care is not available or affordable in your home country.
• Your UK sponsor is 18+ and:
  – A British or Irish citizen
  – Settled in the UK (ILR or EU Settlement Scheme)
  – A refugee or has humanitarian protection

Note: Extended family members such as cousins, nieces, or nephews are not eligible under this route.

To be eligible, the applicant must demonstrate that they:

• Need long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability
• Have no access to suitable care in their home country
• Have no other close relatives locally who can provide care
• Can be maintained and accommodated by the UK sponsor without needing public funds
• Have no criminal convictions or meet suitability requirements
• The sponsor must also provide evidence of adequate accommodation and sufficient financial support for at least 5 years.

Applying for an ADR visa involves several steps:

• Gather supporting documents, including medical reports, financial evidence, and proof of relationship
• Complete the online visa application form and Appendix 12 VAF4A
• Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge
• Book and attend a biometric appointment
• Wait for a decision from the Home Office (usually within 12 weeks)

You may be asked to provide:

• Medical reports confirming long-term care needs
• Evidence that care is not available/affordable in your home country
• Proof of relationship (e.g. birth/adoption certificate)
• Financial documents (bank statements, income evidence)
• Accommodation details (e.g. tenancy or mortgage agreement)
• The more comprehensive your evidence, the higher your chance of success.

Application Fee (outside the UK): £3,250

Application Fee (inside the UK): £1,048

Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year

Biometric Fee: £19.20 Super Priority Service (if available): £800

Processing times are typically up to 12 weeks. If urgent, super priority processing may be available for a quicker decision.

If your application is successful, you will be granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR), meaning you can stay in the UK permanently from the outset of your visa.

• Applications for Adult Dependent Relative visas are often refused. Common reasons include:
• The applicant could receive care in their home country
• Alternative care arrangements exist
• Insufficient financial or accommodation evidence
• Incomplete documentation

If your application is refused, our immigration lawyers can advise on your options, which may include:

• Appealing to the First-Tier Tribunal
• Requesting an administrative review
• Judicial review (in complex or legal error cases)

Our immigration lawyers are here to help you navigate the complexities of the UK Adult Dependent Relative visa. Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward reuniting with your family in the UK.