UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa: Comprehensive Guide 2023

Discover the essential information on the UK Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa designed for British citizens or settled persons to bring their elderly parents or dependent adult relatives to the UK. Learn about the key requirements, eligibility criteria, application process, and supporting documents to ensure a smooth application experience.

1. Introduction

Navigating the UK immigration system can be challenging, particularly when it comes to bringing elderly parents, siblings, or other family members to the UK under the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa category. Understanding the requirements and application process for an ADR Visa is crucial in ensuring a successful outcome. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the ADR Visa, discuss the key requirements, explain the application process, and address common reasons for refusals. Our aim is to help you navigate the complexities of the ADR Visa, so you can bring your loved ones to the UK with confidence.

The Adult Dependent Relative visa route is only for entry clearance applications; adult dependent relatives cannot switch to an ADR Visa from inside the UK.

2. Eligibility Criteria for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa

Definition of an Adult Dependent Relative Visa:

An Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa is a specific type of UK family visa that allows adult relatives, such as elderly parents, siblings, or other family members, to join their UK-based family members who are British citizens, settled persons, or refugees. This visa category is designed to help families reunite and provide care and support for their adult dependent relatives who require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.

Purpose and eligibility criteria:

The main purpose of the ADR Visa is to enable UK residents to bring their adult dependent relatives who are in need of long-term personal care. To be eligible for an ADR Visa, the applicant must:

1. Be a parent, grandparent, sibling, son, daughter, or other family member aged 18 or over.
2. Require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and be unable to receive this care in their home country, either because it is not available or not affordable.
3. Have a sponsoring family member in the UK who is a British citizen, settled person, or refugee, and who can provide adequate maintenance, accommodation, and care without recourse to public funds.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for an ADR Visa are quite strict, and applicants must provide substantial evidence to demonstrate their need for long-term personal care and their sponsor’s ability to support them in the UK.

3. Key Requirements for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa

Demonstrating dependency:

One of the primary requirements for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa is demonstrating that the applicant is genuinely dependent on their UK-based family member for long-term personal care. This includes evidence of daily living assistance, medical care, financial support, and other forms of dependency. Applicants must provide documentation showing the nature and extent of their dependency, as well as the duration of their care needs.

Sponsor’s role and availability of care in the home country:

The UK sponsor must be the only relative who can provide long-term personal care without recourse to public funds. There should be no person in the applicant’s home country able to provide the required level of care.

Financial requirement:

The sponsoring family member in the UK must prove they can provide adequate financial support for the applicant without relying on public funds. This includes covering the costs of the applicant’s accommodation, care, and other living expenses. Evidence of the sponsor’s income, savings, and other financial resources may be required to demonstrate their ability to meet this requirement.

The UK sponsor must be a settled person, i.e., a British Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a person with refugee leave or humanitarian protection.

Adequate accommodation:

The sponsor must own or occupy the accommodation exclusively for bringing the elderly parent or dependent relative to the UK, without contravening statutory regulations on overcrowding or public health.

Maintenance funds:

The applicant can meet the adequate maintenance funds requirements by relying on the UK sponsor, showing a combination of the funds available to the sponsor and the applicant, or through cash savings from a third-party sponsor such as gifts in a bank account of the sponsor or applicant. Promises and loans from a third party are not acceptable.

Long-term care needs:

The applicant’s need for long-term personal care may be due to a recent serious accident, deterioration in their condition over several years due to age, or a prolonged disease or illness. Therefore, applicants for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa must provide evidence that they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability. This can include medical documentation, assessments by healthcare professionals, and any other relevant evidence to support their claim. The evidence should demonstrate the applicant’s specific care needs and explain why they are unable to meet these needs independently.

No alternative care available in the home country:

The applicant must also show they are unable to access the required long-term care in their home country, either because it is not available or not affordable. This includes evidence of the lack of appropriate care facilities, unavailability of medical treatments, or inability to afford necessary care. Applicants should provide as much detail as possible to support their claim that they cannot access the required care in their home country.

Assessment of the required level of care:

The Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) will assess the applicant’s specific care needs, considering their physical, emotional, or psychological condition based on medical reports. The ECO will evaluate whether the required care is available and accessible to the applicant in their home country, taking into account geographical location and cost.

Inadequate care in the home country:

The ECO will consider if anyone in the home country can provide the required level of care, including family members, friends, neighbors, or other care providers such as home-helps, housekeepers, nurses, carers, or care/nursing homes. The reasonability of the care in the applicant’s home country will be assessed, taking into account the location, circumstances, commitments, willingness to provide care, and cultural factors.

Additional Information:

NHS and local authority social care services are not intended for non-British elderly parents and dependent relatives who can reasonably meet their needs in their home country. However, eligible applicants under the ADR visa route can gain immediate settled status and access to these services.

If an elderly parent or dependent relative cannot meet the ADR visa requirements but requires better medical treatment, they may apply for a Private Medical Treatment visa.

4. Required Documents for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa Application

Proof of relationship:

Applicants must provide documentation to establish their relationship to the UK-based family member sponsoring their visa application. This can include birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers, or other official documents that verify the family connection.

Evidence of dependency:

To demonstrate dependency on the UK-based family member, applicants should provide evidence of the financial, medical, and personal care support they receive from the sponsor. This can include bank statements, money transfer receipts, letters of support, and any other relevant documentation that demonstrates the ongoing dependency.

Medical and care needs documentation:

Applicants must submit medical documentation and assessments from healthcare professionals to show their long-term care needs due to age, illness, or disability. This can include medical reports, letters from doctors, and other relevant evidence that outlines the applicant’s specific care requirements and explains why they are unable to meet these needs independently.

Financial documents:

The sponsoring family member in the UK must provide evidence of their financial ability to support the applicant without relying on public funds. This can include payslips, bank statements, tax returns, and other documentation that demonstrates the sponsor’s income, savings, and financial resources. If the sponsor is relying on support from a third party, documentation of this arrangement should also be provided.

5. Adult Dependent Relative Visa Application Process

How to apply for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa:

To apply for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa, applicants need to complete the online application form available on the UK government’s website. They should follow the instructions provided, ensuring they answer all questions accurately and provide the necessary supporting documentation as outlined in Section 4. Once the application is submitted, applicants will be required to attend a biometrics appointment at a designated visa application center in their country of residence.

Supporting documents:

The applicant should provide supporting documents such as a travel document, evidence of family relationship, evidence of the UK sponsor’s settled status, signed undertaking from the UK sponsor, bank statements, evidence of income, information on the UK sponsor’s expenses, mortgage or tenancy agreement, cost of planned care arrangements, medical reports, evidence of unavailability of care in the home country, and any additional relevant documentation.

Application fees:

The application fee for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa is £3,250. This fee is subject to change, so applicants should check the most current fees on the UK government’s website before submitting their application. Additional fees may apply for priority or super-priority processing, as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Processing times:

The processing time for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the workload at the visa application center. In general, applicants should expect a decision within 12 weeks of submitting their application. However, processing times can be longer for complex cases or during peak application periods. If applicants choose to pay for priority or super-priority processing, they may receive a decision more quickly.

6. Common Reasons for Adult Dependent Relative Visa Refusals

Insufficient documentation:

One of the main reasons for Adult Dependent Relative Visa refusals is the lack of proper documentation to support the application. Applicants must ensure they submit all required documents, such as proof of relationship, evidence of dependency, medical and care needs documentation, and financial documents, as outlined in Section 4. Incomplete or unclear documentation can lead to visa refusals.

Failing to meet dependency or care needs requirements:

Another common reason for visa refusals is the failure to demonstrate the applicant’s genuine dependency on the UK sponsor or the inability to prove that the applicant requires long-term care from their UK relative. Applicants must provide sufficient evidence to show that they cannot access the necessary care in their home country and that their UK sponsor is capable of providing the required care.

Tips to avoid refusals:

1. Ensure all required documents are submitted with the application, and that they are clear, complete, and up-to-date.
2. Provide detailed evidence to demonstrate the applicant’s dependency on their UK sponsor, including financial dependency and the need for care.
3. Provide comprehensive medical documentation to support the applicant’s long-term care needs, including statements from medical professionals and evidence of unsuccessful attempts to access appropriate care in the home country.
4. Make sure the UK sponsor can prove their financial ability to support and care for the applicant without relying on public funds.
5. Double-check the application form for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.
6. Seek professional advice or guidance from an immigration expert if unsure about any aspect of the application process.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa: Key Points

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Adult Dependent Relative Visa offers a pathway for UK residents to bring their elderly parents, siblings, or other adult family members to the UK, provided they meet the strict eligibility criteria. Key requirements include demonstrating genuine dependency, financial stability, long-term care needs, and the unavailability of appropriate care in the applicant’s home country.

By understanding the requirements and following the application process diligently, you can increase your chances of a successful Adult Dependent Relative Visa application. As with any immigration process, it is always wise to consult with an immigration expert to ensure you are submitting a thorough and accurate application.

For further details relating to Adult Dependent Visa please refer Gov.UK Appendix FM Immigration Rules.