What is the Adult Dependent Relative Visa?

With the changes made to the UK immigration rules that came into effect in July 2012, it has become quite difficult to qualify for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa in the UK. The rules have generally become stricter and the entry requirements more complex. Therefore, if you wish to apply for this type of visa so that you can bring your adult relative in the UK, then contact us to seek consultancy and assistance from our experienced Adult Dependent Visa Lawyers. Our solicitors have a wealth of experience and expertise in this area. They also have a complete know-how of the changes made to the immigration rules under this visa category; thus, they can provide you with expert guidance to maximize the chances of your application getting approved.

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But, before you contact us, here is some important information that we’d like to share so that you have a basic understanding of the rules and requirements of Adult Dependent Relative Visa in the UK.

What is a Dependent Relative?

An individual who has a refugee status or is settled as an immigrant in the UK and wishes to bring their dependent relative into the country can apply for the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa application. Dependent relatives refer to all family members above 65 who need care, such as elderly parents or grandparents.

Eligibility Requirements for the ADR Visa

The eligibility requirements for the ADR Visa are set out in section EC-DR of Appendix FM. In order to qualify for this visa, an applicant is required to meet the following requirements:

The applicant must be a dependent i.e. a parent, grandparent, son or daughter, or a sister or brother, aged 18 or above.
The applicant must be related to a person living in the United Kingdom.
If the applicant is a parent or grandparent of the sponsor, then they must not be in a subsisting relationship with a partner, unless that partner is also the parent or grandparent of the sponsor and is applying for entry clearance along with them.
The sponsor of the ADR Visa should be 18 or above; settled in the UK, a British citizen or have a humanitarian protection status or refugee leave status.
If the sponsor is a British citizen or settled in the UK, they have to sign a five-year undertaking at the entry clearance stage.
The applicant must be adequately maintained, cared for and accommodated in the UK by the sponsor without the need to use public funds.
The sponsor’s parents or grandparents must be applying for the ADR visa as a result of their old age, or illness or some form of disability that requires long-term and proper care in performing day-to-day tasks, such as washing, cooking and dressing.
Last but not least, the applicant is unable to obtain the level of care they need in the country where they are living because it is unaffordable or unavailable, despite getting practical or financial help from their family members in the United Kingdom.

The last two points discussed above are the ones that cause the most difficulties for applicants. Also, applications for the ADR visa are no longer filed from the United Kingdom. They must be submitted from outside the UK/abroad.

Evidence or Documentation Required for the Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK

In order to apply for this visa, the following evidence is required:

Proof of the family relationship between the sponsor and the applicant. The sponsor must provide a birth or adoption certificate as evidence.
Proof of illness or disability due to which the dependent or applicant requires long-term proper care. The evidence should be in the form of medical reports or a letter by the doctor or any other healthcare professional.
Independent evidence that the applicant can’t get care within their country, despite receiving financial assistance from their sponsor in the United Kingdom. This evidence should be provided by a local authority, central health authority or a doctor.
The applicant must submit all the details of a private arrangement provided previously and why it is not offered any more.
If the applicant was getting the level of care previously but can no longer receive it because they can’t afford it now, then they should provide the previous record of the payments made and also an explanation of why they have been discontinued.

According to our experienced Adult Dependent Visa lawyers, if an application is submitted without the documents mentioned above, such applications are likely to get disqualified or refused. Furthermore, if you make an appeal, the chances of it being refused are also high. Therefore, you need to work with a lawyer to make sure that all the requirements are fulfilled so that your application has a high chance of approval.

ADR Visa Conditions

If an application for the Adult Dependent Relative Visa is approved, the applicant will be granted the following:

No time limit on the applicant’s stay in the United Kingdom
No restrictions related to immigration rules

They can apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and even apply for British Naturalisation after spending five years in the UK continuously (provided that they have held a one-year permanent residence status preceding their application for British Naturalisation). Besides this, they must also meet all other requirements for British Naturalisation.