UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa: The Complete Guide
For many people living in the UK, one of the hardest challenges is being away from elderly or dependent family members who need long-term care. The Adult Dependant Relative (ADR) Visa is designed to help those in genuine need of support to join their family in the UK. However, the application process is complex and has a high refusal rate due to strict eligibility criteria.
If you’re considering applying for this visa, understanding the rules, requirements, and common pitfalls is crucial. In this guide, Sahin Legal Consultancy will break down everything you need to know about the Adult Dependant Relative Visa, helping you navigate the process smoothly.
1️⃣ What is the UK Adult Dependant Relative Visa?
The Adult Dependant Relative (ADR) Visa allows elderly or dependent family members of British citizens or settled persons to move to the UK permanently if they require long-term personal care that cannot be provided in their home country.
✔ Designed for non-UK elderly parents, grandparents, siblings, or adult children who need care.
✔ Must show that care is not available or affordable in their home country.
✔ Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) immediately upon arrival.
📌 Important: This visa does NOT apply to family members who are capable of living independently. It is only for those who require daily care that cannot be provided in their home country.
2️⃣ Who Can Apply for an Adult Dependant Relative Visa?
✅ You Can Apply If:
✔ You are the parent, grandparent, adult child, or sibling of a UK sponsor.
✔ You need long-term personal care for daily activities (e.g., bathing, cooking, dressing).
✔ No one in your home country can adequately provide this care (including family members or paid carers).
✔ The UK-based sponsor can fully financially support you without claiming public funds.
❌ You Cannot Apply If:
🚫 You only want to join family for emotional support.
🚫 Your care needs can be met in your home country through family, carers, or nursing homes.
🚫 Your UK sponsor cannot financially support you.
🚫 You simply wish to live closer to family in the UK without medical necessity.
📌 Key Point: The Home Office applies a very strict test. Most applications fail because the UK authorities believe care can be provided in the home country instead.
3️⃣ Who Can Sponsor an Adult Dependant Relative?
Your sponsor in the UK must be:
✔ A British citizen OR
✔ A person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or Refugee Status.
They must prove:
✔ They can financially support, accommodate, and care for you for at least 5 years without needing public funds.
✔ They earn enough to provide for you without claiming benefits.
📌 Key Mistake: Many applications fail because the UK sponsor does not provide enough financial evidence to show they can support their dependent.
4️⃣ What Are the Financial Requirements?
Unlike most family visas, there is no fixed minimum income requirement for an Adult Dependant Relative Visa. Instead, the sponsor must prove they can:
✔ Cover all living expenses for the dependent.
✔ Pay for medical and care needs without using public funds.
✔ Provide adequate accommodation in the UK.
📌 Key Tip: Submitting detailed financial documents (bank statements, salary slips, housing proof) strengthens your case.
5️⃣ Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Gather Strong Supporting Documents
You must submit extensive evidence to prove:
✔ Relationship to the sponsor (birth certificates, family records).
✔ Medical reports showing the need for long-term care.
✔ Proof that care is unavailable in your home country (cost of care, lack of facilities).
✔ Financial records of the UK sponsor (bank statements, salary slips, tax returns).
✔ Accommodation details showing where the dependent will live.
📌 Tip: Many applications fail due to lack of sufficient evidence. Always provide as much detail as possible.
Step 2: Submit the Visa Application Online
✔ Apply through the UK Government Visa Portal.
✔ Pay the visa application fee (£3,250 if applying from outside the UK).
✔ Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (£3,105 for a 5-year visa).
Step 3: Attend a Biometrics Appointment
✔ Visit a Visa Application Centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
✔ Submit all supporting documents.
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
✔ Processing time: Typically 12+ weeks, but can take longer due to the complexity of cases.
✔ If approved, the visa is granted with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
📌 Appeals: If the application is refused, you can appeal the decision, but this process can take several months to over a year.
6️⃣ Common Reasons for Refusal & How to Avoid Them
❌ The Home Office believes care can be provided in your home country
✅ Solution: Provide detailed reports from doctors and social workers proving that care is not available or affordable locally.
❌ Not enough financial evidence from the UK sponsor
✅ Solution: Submit 6+ months of bank statements, tax returns, and accommodation proof.
❌ Missing medical reports showing care needs
✅ Solution: Provide official medical assessments from doctors detailing long-term care requirements.
❌ Application suggests the move is for emotional reasons rather than medical necessity
✅ Solution: Make it clear that the visa is needed only because daily care is required and cannot be provided elsewhere.
7️⃣ What Happens If the Visa is Approved?
✔ You receive Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing you to live in the UK permanently.
✔ You can access NHS healthcare but cannot claim public funds (benefits).
✔ You can apply for British Citizenship after 5 years (if eligible).
📌 Key Benefit: Unlike most visas, this visa grants permanent residency immediately upon approval.
Should You Apply for an Adult Dependant Relative Visa?
The Adult Dependant Relative Visa is one of the hardest visas to obtain due to the strict requirements. However, with strong medical, financial, and relationship evidence, success is possible.
At Sahin Legal Consultancy, we specialize in building strong ADR applications, handling complex refusals, and representing cases in appeals. If you’re planning to apply, expert legal support can make the difference between approval and refusal.
📩 Need expert help with your ADR Visa application? Contact Sahin Legal Consultancy today for a consultation and let’s get your case right the first time! 🚀
