The UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa, also known as the Adult Dependant Visa or ADR Visa, enables close family members from overseas who require care to come to the UK and be supported by a settled individual.
For assistance, contact JPS Immigration for a comprehensive consultation on all types of dependent visas, including the Adult Dependant Relative Visa, Dependant Visa, and Child Dependant Visa.
Who is eligible to apply for an Adult Dependant Relative Visa in the UK?
To qualify for a UK Adult Dependant Visa, applicants must be located outside the UK and require sustained, long-term care, necessitating support from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son, or daughter permanently residing in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria for a UK ADR Visa:
- Sponsoring Relative’s Citizenship:
- A British or Irish citizen
- Settlement Status:
- Settled in the UK, meaning they hold indefinite leave to remain (ILR), EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) settled status, or permanent residence
- EU / EEA Status:
- From the EU / EEA (including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) and holds EUSS pre-settled status. To qualify, they must have been living in the UK before 1st January 2021
- Refugee or Humanitarian Protection:
- A person with refugee status or has been granted humanitarian protection in the UK
Moreover, the applicant themselves must be a close relative of the UK-based person, falling into one of the following categories:
- Parent:
- A parent aged 18 years or over
- Grandparent:
- A grandparent
- Sibling:
- A brother or sister aged 18 years or over
- Offspring:
- A son or daughter aged 18 years or over
It is crucial to consider that, as per ADR guidance, if the applicant is the sponsor’s parent or grandparent, they cannot be in a relationship with a partner. The sole exception to this rule is if the partner is also the sponsor’s parent or grandparent, and they are jointly applying to come to the UK. For a comprehensive understanding of the application process, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation regarding your UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa application.
Is it possible to bring my cousin or niece to the UK?
Regrettably, the Adult Dependant visa does not extend eligibility to bring cousins, nephews, or nieces to the UK. This limitation arises from the family visa scheme, of which the UK ADR visa is a part. The scheme exclusively caters to immediate family members, including parents, children, grandchildren, and grandparents.
For guidance on the immigration options available for your cousin, nephew, or niece, we recommend consulting with our expert immigration solicitors. You can arrange a free telephone consultation with our immigration lawyers by calling +44 (0) 333 577 0034 or reaching out via email at mail@jpsimmigration.com.
UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa Requirements
The comprehensive guidelines from the Home Office outline specific criteria that applicants must meticulously fulfil to be deemed eligible for the UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa.
Understanding a dependant relative in the UK: An eligible dependant relative is an individual who:
- Long-Term Care Requirement:
- Needs extended personal care due to the effects of ageing, illness, or disability.
- Unmet Care Needs in Home Country:
- Is unable to receive the necessary level of care in their home country.
- Absence of Suitable Caregiver:
- Lacks the presence of anyone in their home country who could reasonably provide the required care.
- Adequate Maintenance and Care in the UK:
- Can be sufficiently maintained, accommodated, and cared for in the UK.
- Criminal Record Check:
- Has no pending criminal conviction.
For a more detailed understanding of each requirement, please refer to the sections below.
Requirement for Long-Term Personal Care
The applicant must demonstrate a genuine need for extended assistance with daily activities such as washing, dressing, and cooking, attributing this need to age, illness, or disability. Substantive evidence must be provided to establish their incapacity to independently carry out these daily tasks.
The ADR guidance acknowledges that the need for long-term care may arise abruptly due to illness, serious accidents, or progressively declining functionality.
Physical Care Exclusively by the Sponsor
To ensure a successful UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa application, applicants must not have access to a nearby individual who can reasonably provide the necessary level of care. This includes immediate family members like a son, daughter, brother, sister, parent, grandchild, or grandparent, as well as other potential caregivers like family friends, neighbours, home-help, housekeepers, nurses, or individuals associated with care or nursing homes.
The guidance emphasises that if there are multiple close family members where the applicant resides, these individuals may collaboratively pool their resources to meet the required level of care. Considerations include the circumstances of potential caregivers and their willingness to provide care, along with relevant cultural factors influencing caregiving practices.
Adequate Maintenance (Funds) and Accommodation
As part of the ADR application process, the Home Office scrutinises whether the individual coming to the UK for care has access to suitable living accommodation exclusively owned or occupied by the sponsor. Additionally, assurance is required that adding another person to the household will not breach regulations on overcrowding and public health.
Moreover, the caregiver must possess sufficient funds for a minimum of 5 years to provide the necessary level of care without resorting to public funds.
Criminal Conviction Check
Applicants must meet the suitability requirements for entry and residence in the UK. This involves ensuring that their presence aligns with the public good. The Home Office considers factors such as the applicant’s conduct, character, associations, and any criminal convictions. Crucially, the applicant should not have been sentenced or convicted of any crime in the last seven years.
If uncertainties persist regarding your eligibility to sponsor a relative or if you are eligible to enter the UK as a relative in need of care, our experienced immigration lawyers are available for a free telephone consultation. Reach out to us at +44 (0) 333 577 0034 or via email at mail@jpsimmigration.com.
How to Apply for the UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa (ADR)
The application process for an ADR visa involves several crucial steps:
- Prepare Required Information and Documents:
- This often-overlooked stage is critical for a successful ADR visa application. Gather documents demonstrating the applicant’s need for long-term care not available in their home country. Additionally, provide evidence that the sponsor possesses the financial means and accommodation to care for the applicant.
- Complete the Adult Dependant Relative Visa Application Form Online:
- Fill out the online application form.
- Complete Appendix 12 VAF4A:
- Provide the required supplementary documentation.
- Payment of Fees:
- Pay the prescribed fee (details below).
- Submit Required Evidence:
- Submit any necessary supporting documents.
- Book a Biometric Appointment:
- Schedule a biometric appointment at the nearest visa application centre.
- Attend Biometric Appointment:
- Attend the biometric appointment for photo and fingerprint scanning.
- Await Decision:
- Wait for a decision on your application.
Evidence Required for Adult Dependant Relative Visa: The evidence needed for your application depends on various factors, including the nature of the relationship between the applicant and the UK-based person, as well as the care needs. It may include:
- Relationship Evidence:
- Birth or adoption certificate.
- Medical Report:
- A detailed medical report.
- Proof of Unavailable Care:
- A letter from health authorities or professionals explaining why care is unavailable in the applicant’s home country.
- Financial and Accommodation Proof in the UK:
- Original bank statements for the last six months.
- Income evidence (e.g., payslips, savings, shares, bonds) for the last six months.
- Details of outgoings, including Council Tax and utilities.
- Mortgage or tenancy agreement for property ownership or occupancy.
- Planned care arrangements and associated costs met by the sponsor.
It’s crucial to note that the UK Adult Dependant Relative visa is issued only under specific circumstances, requiring meticulous adherence to the eligibility rules. Providing ample evidence is essential to convey the genuine need for the applicant to be cared for by a close relative in the UK.
Our team of specialised immigration solicitors can meticulously prepare your application for optimal success. If you require assistance with the Adult Dependant Relative Visa application, contact our immigration lawyers at +44 (0) 333 577 0034 or via email at mail@jpsimmigration.com.
Adult Dependant Visa Costs
As of 2023, the application fee for the Adult Dependant Visa is £1,048 when applying from within the UK and £3,250 for applications outside the UK, subject to currency conversions.
In addition to the application fee, applicants are obligated to cover the immigration healthcare surcharge at £624 per year, granting access to the National Health Service (NHS). A biometric fee of £19.20 is also required.
Navigating the UK Adult Dependant Visa Processing
The processing period for a UK Adult Dependant Visa typically spans approximately 12 weeks. Should an expedited decision be imperative, applicants have the option to utilise the super-priority service for an extra fee of £800, promising a decision by the end of the subsequent working day. It’s important to note that priority services may not be available for all application types, and such information will be communicated during the application process.
Duration of Stay with an Elderly Dependant Relative Visa in the UK
Upon a successful application for the Elderly Adult Dependant Relative Visa, individuals are granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, allowing them to stay for as long as their care needs necessitate.
Dealing with Refusals for the Adult Dependant Relative Visa
The issuance of Adult Dependant Relative visas adheres strictly to specific eligibility criteria. Refusals may occur for various reasons, such as the belief by the Home Office that:
- The applicant can access required care in their home country.
- Adequate family or individuals are available to provide necessary care in their home country.
- The applicant does not genuinely possess long-term care needs.
- The sponsor lacks the financial means or appropriate accommodation for providing care.
In the event of a refusal, the Home Office decision letter outlines available courses of action, including:
- Filing an appeal with the First-Tier Immigration Tribunal.
- Requesting an administrative review in the case of identified mistakes.
- Seeking a judicial review to challenge the legal foundation of the decision.
Alternatively, submitting a fresh application that effectively addresses the initial refusal reasons may present a quicker resolution.
Should your Adult Dependant Relative Visa application face refusal, our team of specialist immigration solicitors stands ready to challenge the decision and manage communication with the Home Office on your behalf. Connect with our immigration lawyers for a bespoke telephone consultation at +44 (0) 333 577 0034 or via email at mail@jpsimmigration.com.
