This article was last updated on June 6th, 2025.
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Living far away from family is always tough, especially when you worry about their well-being and ability to care for themselves. This is even harder when you’re in a different country than your parents, siblings, or children.
If you’re a British citizen or on Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and your family lives abroad, you might be wondering if they can join you. There’s good news! If your family members are dependent on you for care, you could apply for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa. This visa allows them to live in the UK with you if they can’t get the care they need in their home country.
In this article, we will discuss how to make an application for an adult dependent relative visa in 2025. If you need help with an Adult Dependent Relative visa application, contact our team for expert, tailored advice for your situation. We are here to guide you every step of the way.
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Overview of Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK
The Adult Dependent Relative visa is part of the UK’s family immigration routes and is designed for individuals who need long-term care and support. It enables specific family members of British citizens, individuals with settled status, or those granted refugee or humanitarian protection to move to the UK permanently.
This visa applies to relatives who can no longer manage daily living on their own due to severe health conditions, age-related decline, or disability.
This route is not designed for general family reunification or discretionary visits. It is reserved for individuals who can prove that their care needs cannot be met in their home country, either due to a lack of available relatives or because appropriate care facilities are unavailable or unaffordable.
This visa, if granted, provides the applicant with indefinite leave to enter the UK. In most cases, it offers a direct route to settlement, meaning there is no need to apply again in future, provided that the original circumstances remain unchanged.
Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa?
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa is available to certain close family members of British citizens, settled individuals, or those with humanitarian protection or refugee status in the UK. This visa is highly specific and only applies when the applicant genuinely cannot access or afford the care they need in their home country.
Eligible Family Members
To apply under this route, the applicant must be one of the following:
- A parent aged 18 or over
- A grandparent
- A brother or sister aged 18 or over
- A son or daughter aged 18 or over
Additionally, the UK-based sponsor must be aged 18 or over and must fall into one of the following categories:
- A British citizen
- A person with indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence
- A person with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A refugee or an individual with humanitarian protection in the UK
Care and Dependency Criteria
The applicant must also satisfy a strict set of criteria that demonstrate a genuine and compelling need for long-term personal care:
- Medical Necessity: The applicant must depend on ongoing physical support to carry out routine functions as a result of medical conditions, physical or cognitive impairment, or advanced age. This includes help with fundamental activities like washing, getting dressed, preparing meals, or mobility.
- Lack of Adequate Care in Home Country: It must be proven that no suitable care is available or affordable in the applicant’s current country of residence. This includes showing that there is no family member, friend, or professional caregiver who can reasonably provide the required support.
- No Viable Care Options Even with Financial Help: The applicant must show that even with financial assistance from their UK-based relative, they cannot access appropriate care services in their home country due to unavailability or unaffordability.
Financial and Accommodation Requirements
The UK-based sponsor must demonstrate the ability to provide for the applicant in the UK without the need for public funds. This includes:
- Providing suitable accommodation
- Covering the cost of ongoing care
- Meeting maintenance needs without relying on state benefits
The UK-based sponsor is required to provide a formal 5-year commitment confirming that the applicant will receive full financial and accommodation support and will not rely on public funds throughout that time.
Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
If the applicant is residing in a country where tuberculosis testing is required by the Home Office, a valid TB test certificate must be submitted as part of the visa application.
Many individuals come to our law firm and ask Can I bring my parents to the UK? Or can I bring my brother or sister to the UK? If this is a concern of yours, then we suggest you contact us and speak with our immigration solicitors to explore your options.
Adult Dependent Relative Visas – What are the Care Needs?
An adult dependent relative’s care requirements must be due to their age, sickness, disability, or a combination of these factors.
An adult dependent relative under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is defined as someone who requires “long-term personal care” to assist with basic activities like washing, dressing, or feeding. Personal assistance includes assisting with taking medicine and other personal care.
Because of this, the relatives may not be able to get the care they require in their current country. That might be due to a variety of factors, including:
- There is no one in the country the relative is living in who could reasonably give care, or there isn’t enough available care.
- The cost of the treatment was not within a feasible budget.
Proving that the Care Needs in a Relative Home Country are not Sufficient or Suitable
The Home Office may ask if the care available in another country might be provided by a different relative or through paid care or health services. The degree of proof required depends on the country where the relative is residing. In a war-torn nation, for example, it should be clearer that care is scarce.
However, the sponsoring relative must not compromise on the quality of the application, as any errors or omissions could lead to the Home Office refusing the adult dependent visa. Given the strict requirements, it is advisable to seek guidance from our immigration solicitors in London if you are unsure at any stage.
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Proving the Ability to Care in The United Kingdom for an Adult Dependent Relative
In the United Kingdom, a “sponsor” is someone who stands ready to assist an adult dependent relative. To apply for a visa for an adult dependent relative, a sponsor must submit evidence demonstrating that they have the ability to care for their dependent without drawing on public funds.
The British authorities will want evidence of the sponsor’s income, as well as details on their savings and lodgings. The sponsor’s income will also be verified, and if necessary, their savings and accommodation will be checked to see whether they can meet the relative’s care demands. Wages or bank statements should suffice.
Adult Dependent Relative Visas – Special Circumstances and Exceptions to the Rules
If the adult dependent relative visa requirements are not satisfied, the Home Office may take into account “extraordinary circumstances” in which the applicant’s human rights interest would necessitate rejection of the application, with rejection resulting in “unjustifiably harsh circumstances” for the relative and/or sponsor.
Immigration lawyers may be able to help emphasise that a human rights argument should be included in an adult dependent relative visa request. For more info, do not hesitate to talk to our team of immigration lawyers in London.
Also Read: How to Appeal an Adult Dependent Relative Visa Refusal
How to Apply for a UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa (ADR)
Applying for an Adult Dependent Relative visa involves a structured process, and careful preparation is essential for success. The Home Office applies strict scrutiny to these applications, so every step must be followed properly.
1. Gather All Supporting Documents
Start by gathering comprehensive documentation to prove that the applicant is unable to obtain adequate care in their country of residence. It is also necessary to show that UK-based family members can provide suitable housing and support without needing assistance from public resources.
Relevant evidence may include medical assessments, financial records, confirmation of the family connection, and information about how care will be arranged in the UK.
2. Complete the Online Visa Application
You must fill out the online Adult Dependent Relative visa form through the official UK Visas and Immigration platform. The applicant will also need to complete Appendix 1 (VAF4A). These forms collect more detailed information about the applicant’s background, family ties, and care needs.
3. Pay the Application Fee
The cost of applying for an Adult Dependent Relative visa depends on where the application is made:
- £1,321 – If applying within the UK
- £3,413 – If applying outside the UK
In addition to the visa application fee, most applicants will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is currently £1,035 per year. This provides access to NHS services while the applicant stays in the UK.
4. Upload and Submit Evidence
Upload your supporting documents either online or via a document scanning service if instructed. These documents should clearly demonstrate why the applicant must come to the UK to be cared for by a close relative.
5. Book and Attend a Biometric Appointment
Schedule a visit to a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photo. This is a mandatory part of the application process.
Once all steps are complete, you will need to wait for UKVI to assess the application. If successful, the applicant will be granted indefinite leave to settle in the UK with their relative.
Evidence Required for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa
The exact documents needed will vary depending on the relationship, health condition, and financial situation, but in general, the following types of evidence will be required:
1. Proof of Relationship
You must show that the applicant is a close relative of the UK-based sponsor. Acceptable documents include:
- A birth certificate or adoption certificate
- Family records confirming the relationship
2. Medical and Care Evidence
To prove that the applicant needs long-term support:
- A recent, detailed medical report outlining the nature of the illness or disability
- Letters from medical professionals or government health departments explaining that the required level of care is not available or not affordable in the applicant’s country
- Information on why alternative options (such as a care or nursing home) are not suitable or accessible
3. Evidence of Inadequate Care in Home Country
- A letter from a health authority, doctor, or care provider explaining why care cannot be provided locally
- Documentation showing attempts to obtain care outside the UK and reasons for failure
4. Financial and Accommodation Evidence
The UK sponsor must show that they can accommodate and care for the applicant:
- Original bank statements for the past six months
- Payslips, savings statements, or investment income details
- Utility bills, mortgage statements, or tenancy agreements
- A care plan detailing how support will be provided and the cost involved
- Evidence that this support will be privately funded without public assistance
It must be clear that the applicant cannot stay in their current country because there are no viable options, and that they need to come to the UK to receive care from their relative in the UK. Failure to provide strong evidence on this point is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
Need Help Bringing a Dependent Family Member to the UK?
If your parent or sibling needs long-term care and you want them to live with you in the UK, our immigration solicitors can help you apply for an Adult Dependent Relative visa.
With the adult dependent relative visa, your loved one will be able to join you in the UK and live with you. They’ll get all the benefits of being in the country, including access to healthcare and social security. And best of all, they’ll be close by so you can take care of them.
Contact our solicitors today for more information about dependent relative visas. Fill out the form below.
FAQs About Adult Dependent Relative Visas in 2025
To be considered an “adult dependent relative,” your family member must be your parent, sibling, grandparent, or adult child over 18 years old. They must require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and this care must be unavailable or insufficient in their home country.
You’ll need to provide detailed evidence demonstrating your relative’s need for long-term personal care, including medical records, assessments of their care needs, and evidence that this level of care is not available or affordable in their home country.
As the sponsor, you must demonstrate that you can financially support your relative without relying on public funds. You’ll need to provide evidence of your income, savings, and accommodation to show you can meet their care needs and living expenses.
Even if your relative doesn’t perfectly satisfy all the requirements, there may be “exceptional circumstances” where the Home Office could grant the visa on human rights grounds. If refusal would lead to “unjustifiably harsh consequences” for you or your relative, an immigration lawyer can help you present a strong case emphasising these exceptional circumstances.
Processing times vary, but it typically takes 12 weeks for a decision to be made in 2025. You can check the UK government website for the most up-to-date processing times estimates. It’s crucial to apply well in advance of when you hope your relative will arrive in the UK.
If your application is refused, you have the option to challenge the decision through an appeal. Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors can guide you on the valid grounds for appeal and support you in building a compelling case to enhance your likelihood of success.
The success rate for Adult Dependent Relative visas is typically low, with approval rates reported at around 5%. This reflects the stringent criteria applicants must meet to qualify. But if you work with a dedicate immigration lawyer who knows this process, the chances of it succeeding can be significantly higher
At Gulbenkian Andonian, we pride ourselves on “Excellence, Experience and Efficiency”. With over 35 years of experience on your side, our team of London based lawyers and solicitors have a wealth of experience advising individuals, families and businesses of all sizes to find clarity on UK law. Call us on +44 (0) 207 269 9590 or fill out the form below. We usually reply within a few hours. Neither Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors ltd, nor their employees, agents, consultants or assignees, accept any liability based on the contents of written articles which are meant for guidance only and not as legal advice. We advise all readers to take professional advice before acting. If you would like to consult with a professional lawyer or solicitor to discuss your case, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. This site is protected by Wordfence and operates under a robust SSL to ensure your security, safety and privacy. Our site uses reCAPTCHA and is protected by the Google privacy policy and terms of service. Ask our Expert Legal Team
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Dr Bernard Andonian is the Co-Founder of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors and a leading authority in UK immigration, human rights, family and civil litigation law. With over 40 years of experience, he brings a wealth of legal knowledge and courtroom expertise. A former Judge and a recipient of a PhD in Law from the University of West London, Dr Andonian has served on the Law Society’s Immigration Law Panel, where he played a key role in shaping national legal standards. His name is featured in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, recognising his consistent excellence and influence in the field. Known for his practical approach and deep understanding of immigration law, he is frequently consulted for commentary on policy changes and legal reform.