The adult dependent relative visa UK (ADR visa) is one of the most difficult UK visas to obtain, with an extremely low success rate. This route allows elderly parents, grandparents, or other adult relatives who require long-term personal care to join their family members in the UK permanently. However, the strict requirements introduced in 2012 mean that applicants must prove care is completely unavailable or unaffordable in their home country—even with financial support from their UK sponsor. This comprehensive guide explains the eligibility criteria, application process, fees (£3,413 from outside the UK), processing times, and realistic alternatives for bringing elderly dependent relatives to the UK in 2026.
Understanding the Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK
The adult dependent relative visa (commonly abbreviated as ADR visa) is a UK settlement route governed by Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Unlike other family visa routes that grant temporary leave, a successful ADR visa application typically results in immediate Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)—permanent settlement in the UK from day one.
What is the Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK?
The adult dependent relative visa UK is a settlement route for elderly parents, grandparents, or other adult relatives who require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks (washing, dressing, cooking) and cannot access adequate care in their home country—even with financial support from their UK-based family member. It is one of the most restrictive UK visa categories with a success rate below 5%.
The ADR visa route was significantly restricted in July 2012 when the government introduced much stricter eligibility criteria. Before these changes, it was considerably easier to bring elderly parents to the UK. The current rules require applicants to prove not just that they need care, but that such care is genuinely unavailable or unaffordable in their home country—a deliberately high threshold designed to limit applications.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent Relative UK?
Under UK immigration rules, a dependent relative must be:
- Parent aged 18 or over: Biological or adoptive parent of the UK sponsor
- Grandparent: Maternal or paternal grandparent
- Brother or sister aged 18 or over: Sibling of the UK sponsor
- Son or daughter aged 18 or over: Adult child of the UK sponsor
The UK sponsor must be a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (with ILR), a refugee or person with humanitarian protection, or someone with limited leave under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK Requirements
The eligibility requirements for the adult dependent relative visa are notoriously strict. All of the following conditions must be met:
What Are the Care Requirements for ADR Visa?
The applicant must require "long-term personal care" due to age, illness, or disability. This means help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, cooking, and eating. Crucially, the applicant must prove that such care is either completely unavailable in their home country, or that it exists but is unaffordable—even with the financial assistance of their UK-based family member.
Supporting Documents for Adult Dependent Relative Visa
A strong ADR visa application requires extensive supporting documentation. Given the high refusal rate, evidence must be thorough and compelling:
- Medical evidence: Detailed reports from doctors/specialists outlining the applicant's condition, care needs, and prognosis
- Care assessment: Professional assessment of daily living needs and level of care required
- Country condition evidence: Expert reports on availability and cost of care in the applicant's country
- Proof of relationship: Birth certificates, marriage certificates confirming family connection
- Sponsor's financial evidence: Bank statements, payslips, employment letter showing ability to maintain applicant
- Accommodation evidence: Property inspection report or evidence of suitable accommodation
- Form SU07: Signed sponsorship undertaking for 5 years
Adult Dependent Relative Visa Success Rate
The adult dependent relative visa has one of the lowest success rates of any UK visa category—estimated at below 5%. Home Office statistics show that only a handful of ADR visas are granted each year, typically fewer than 30 approvals annually despite hundreds of applications. The vast majority of applications are refused because the Home Office concludes that care could be arranged in the applicant's home country.
The low success rate is a direct consequence of the 2012 rule changes. Before July 2012, thousands of elderly dependent relative visas were granted annually. The government's stated policy objective was to reduce this number significantly, and the statistics confirm this has been achieved.
Why Are Most ADR Visa Applications Refused?
The most common reasons for refusal include:
- Care available in home country: The Entry Clearance Officer concludes that care could be arranged locally through family, carers, or care homes
- Sponsor could fund care abroad: If the sponsor can maintain the applicant in the UK, the Home Office often concludes they could instead fund adequate care in the applicant's home country
- Insufficient medical evidence: Failure to demonstrate the level of care needs required under the rules
- Other family members available: Presence of siblings or other relatives in the applicant's country who could provide care
If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision. Many successful ADR cases are won on appeal, where the tribunal can consider Article 8 human rights arguments alongside the Immigration Rules.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa Fees 2026
The visa fees for ADR applications are substantial and non-refundable—even if the application is refused:
In addition to Home Office fees, applicants should budget for medical reports (£200-500), expert country condition reports (£500-1,500), property inspection reports if required, and professional legal advice given the complexity of these applications.
How Long Does Adult Dependent Relative Visa Processing Take?
The standard processing time for adult dependent relative visa applications is approximately 12 weeks from the date of submission. However, complex cases involving extensive medical evidence or human rights considerations may take longer. Unlike other visa categories, Priority and Super Priority processing are NOT available for ADR applications.
For information on what to expect during the waiting period and how to track your application, see our guide on UK visa processing times. If your application is taking longer than expected, our guide on UK visa delays explains your options.
How to Apply for Adult Dependent Relative Visa
The ADR visa route is only available from outside the UK. You cannot switch into this category from within the UK. However, if you are already in the UK, you may be able to apply for leave to remain on human rights grounds under Article 8 ECHR—though this is equally difficult.
- Step 1: Gather comprehensive medical evidence of care needs
- Step 2: Obtain expert evidence on care availability in home country
- Step 3: UK sponsor prepares financial and accommodation evidence
- Step 4: Complete online application form on gov.uk
- Step 5: Pay application fee (£3,413) and IHS if applicable
- Step 6: Attend biometrics appointment at visa application centre
- Step 7: Submit supporting documents
- Step 8: Wait for decision (approximately 12 weeks)
Alternatives to the ADR Visa Route
Given the extremely low success rate of ADR visa applications, many families explore alternative options for bringing elderly parents or relatives to the UK:
Can I Bring My Elderly Parents to the UK on a Visitor Visa?
Yes, elderly parents can visit the UK on a Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months at a time. A long-term visitor visa (2, 5, or 10 years) allows multiple visits. However, visitors cannot access NHS services (except emergency care), receive public funds, or make the UK their main home. Each visit must be genuinely temporary.
- Standard Visitor Visa: £127 for 6 months—allows visits for family time but not settlement
- Long-term Visitor Visa: £475 (2 years), £848 (5 years), £1,059 (10 years)—multiple entries, 6 months max per visit
- Private Medical Treatment Visa: For receiving private medical treatment in the UK (up to 11 months)
- Article 8 application from UK: If parent is already in UK, may apply on human rights grounds (equally difficult)
- ADR visa has an extremely low success rate (below 5%) due to strict 2012 requirements
- Applicant must prove care is unavailable or unaffordable in home country—even with sponsor's financial help
- Application fee is £3,413 (outside UK) plus additional costs for medical and expert reports
- Processing takes approximately 12 weeks—Priority service is NOT available
- Successful applications grant Indefinite Leave to Enter (immediate settlement)
- Consider visitor visa alternatives for regular family contact while exploring ADR options
For the official guidance on ADR visa requirements, visit the gov.uk Adult Dependent Relative page and the Appendix FM Immigration Rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the adult dependent relative visa UK?
The adult dependent relative visa UK (ADR visa) is a settlement route that allows adult family members—including parents, grandparents, siblings, or adult children aged 18+—to join their relatives in the UK permanently. The applicant must require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and must prove that such care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country. Successful applicants receive Indefinite Leave to Enter (immediate settlement).
What is the adult dependent relative visa success rate?
The adult dependent relative visa has one of the lowest success rates of any UK visa—estimated at below 5%. Only a handful of applications are approved each year (typically fewer than 30) despite hundreds of applications. The vast majority are refused because the Home Office concludes that care could be arranged in the applicant's home country through family members, carers, or care homes.
How much does the adult dependent relative visa cost?
The adult dependent relative visa fee is £3,413 for applications made from outside the UK (as of April 2025). Additional costs include the biometric enrolment fee (£19.20), Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable (£1,035/year), and expenses for medical reports (£200-500), expert country condition evidence (£500-1,500), and potentially property inspection reports. All fees are non-refundable even if refused.
How long does adult dependent relative visa processing take?
The standard processing time for adult dependent relative visa applications is approximately 12 weeks from submission. Complex cases may take longer. Importantly, Priority and Super Priority processing services are NOT available for ADR visa applications—this category is explicitly excluded from expedited processing options.
Can I bring my elderly parents to the UK?
Bringing elderly parents to live permanently in the UK is extremely difficult under current immigration rules. The adult dependent relative visa requires proving that care is completely unavailable or unaffordable in their home country—a very high threshold. Alternatives include Standard Visitor visas (6 months per visit), long-term visitor visas (multiple entries over 2-10 years), or private medical treatment visas. Visitor visas do not provide a path to settlement.
What happens if my adult dependent relative visa is refused?
If your ADR visa application is refused, you have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Appeals must be lodged within 28 days of the refusal notice. Many successful ADR cases are won on appeal, where judges can consider Article 8 human rights arguments. You can also submit a fresh application addressing the reasons for refusal, though this incurs another £3,413 fee.
Can I apply for adult dependent relative visa from inside the UK?
No, the adult dependent relative visa route is only available from outside the UK. You cannot switch into this category from within the UK. However, if you are already in the UK (for example, on a visitor visa), you may be able to apply for leave to remain on human rights grounds under Article 8 ECHR—though this is equally difficult and has similar requirements regarding care needs and unavailability of care elsewhere.
What does the UK sponsor need to provide for an ADR visa?
The UK sponsor must demonstrate they can adequately maintain, accommodate, and care for the applicant without recourse to public funds. This includes providing 6 months of bank statements, employment evidence, proof of suitable accommodation, and signing Form SU07—a legally binding undertaking to be financially responsible for the applicant for 5 years. The sponsor must be a British citizen, settled person, refugee/HP holder, or have EU Settlement Scheme status.