Adult Dependent Relative Visa

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What is the Adult Dependent Relative Visa?

The UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa (ADR Visa) is a long-term UK family visa that allows adult family members who need care to come to the UK and live with a close relative, such as a child, grandchild, sibling, or parent. This visa is designed for dependent adults who cannot live independently and require long-term personal care, which can only be provided by a UK-based person.

Under the UK immigration rules, the adult dependent relative visa is one of the few visa routes that leads to indefinite leave to remain on arrival, provided all eligibility requirements are met. This visa is part of the family visa scheme, specifically for those outside the UK who wish to join you in the UK as a dependent adult family member.

The visa allows people who are in need of essential support to stay in the UK indefinitely, without placing a burden on public funds.

Who is the Adult Dependent Relative Visa For?

The adult dependent relative visa is for individuals who:

Are outside the UK at the time of application

Are outside the UK at the time of application

Are outside the UK at the time of application

Are outside the UK at the time of application

Require long-term medical or personal care due to illness, disability, or age

Require long-term medical or personal care due to illness, disability, or age

Require long-term medical or personal care due to illness, disability, or age

Require long-term medical or personal care due to illness, disability, or age

Are unable to maintain or accommodate themselves in their home country, even with the help of professional carers

Are unable to maintain or accommodate themselves in their home country, even with the help of professional carers

Are unable to maintain or accommodate themselves in their home country, even with the help of professional carers

Are unable to maintain or accommodate themselves in their home country, even with the help of professional carers

Have no access to the required level of care in their home country

Have no access to the required level of care in their home country

Have no access to the required level of care in their home country

Have no access to the required level of care in their home country

Have a sponsoring relative in the UK who is a British citizen, has settled status, or holds refugee status or humanitarian protection

Have a sponsoring relative in the UK who is a British citizen, has settled status, or holds refugee status or humanitarian protection

Have a sponsoring relative in the UK who is a British citizen, has settled status, or holds refugee status or humanitarian protection

Have a sponsoring relative in the UK who is a British citizen, has settled status, or holds refugee status or humanitarian protection

This visa is also available for:

Adult dependent relatives of someone already settled in the UK

Adult dependent relatives of someone already settled in the UK

Adult dependent relatives of someone already settled in the UK

Adult dependent relatives of someone already settled in the UK

People applying as part of a private and family life consideration

People applying as part of a private and family life consideration

People applying as part of a private and family life consideration

People applying as part of a private and family life consideration

Elderly or disabled family members who are wholly dependent on their UK sponsor

Elderly or disabled family members who are wholly dependent on their UK sponsor

Elderly or disabled family members who are wholly dependent on their UK sponsor

Elderly or disabled family members who are wholly dependent on their UK sponsor

The adult dependent visa route is not available for applicants who are already in the UK. The application must be submitted outside the UK and must show that the applicant needs to come to the UK to be cared for by a close family member.

What is the Application Process Like?

The adult dependent relative visa application involves several steps and detailed documentation. It is known to be one of the most complex and demanding applications under the UK’s immigration system.

Step-by-step ADR Visa Application Process

  1. Check eligibility
    Confirm that the applicant meets all eligibility requirements, including health, care, and relationship criteria.

  2. Prepare your application
    Collect strong evidence to support the application, including medical records, proof of dependency, and care needs.

  3. Make an application online
    Submit your application for an adult dependent relative visa through the official UK immigration portal.

  4. Pay visa fees
    Pay the applicable visa application fee, which can vary depending on circumstances.

  5. Biometric appointment
    The applicant must attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and photographs.

  6. Home Office decision
    Wait for a decision from the Home Office. Processing times generally make within 8 weeks, depending on case complexity.

If successful, the visa is granted with indefinite leave to remain, allowing the applicant to live in the UK permanently with their sponsoring relative.

What Are the Requirements?

The adult dependent relative visa requirements are strict, and the chance of success heavily depends on presenting detailed and compelling evidence.

1. Relationship Requirement

The applicant must be a close family member, such as:

Parent

Parent

Parent

Parent

Grandparent

Grandparent

Grandparent

Grandparent

Adult sibling

Adult sibling

Adult sibling

Adult sibling

Adult child

Adult child

Adult child

Adult child

They must be applying to join you in the UK, where you are a British citizen, have indefinite leave to remain, or hold refugee status.

The family member must show that they are dependent on the UK sponsor and that no other close relatives in their home country can care for them.

2. Medical and Care Needs

The applicant must:

Be unable to perform daily tasks (washing, dressing, eating) without help

Be unable to perform daily tasks (washing, dressing, eating) without help

Be unable to perform daily tasks (washing, dressing, eating) without help

Be unable to perform daily tasks (washing, dressing, eating) without help

Require long-term personal care due to illness, age, or disability

Require long-term personal care due to illness, age, or disability

Require long-term personal care due to illness, age, or disability

Require long-term personal care due to illness, age, or disability

Be in a situation where the required level of care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country

Be in a situation where the required level of care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country

Be in a situation where the required level of care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country

Be in a situation where the required level of care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country

The UK to be cared for must be the only feasible solution, and this need must be backed by specialist medical evidence.

3. Financial Requirements

The UK sponsor must:

Show they can accommodate their dependent relative

Show they can accommodate their dependent relative

Show they can accommodate their dependent relative

Show they can accommodate their dependent relative

Prove they can maintain their dependent without access to public funds

Prove they can maintain their dependent without access to public funds

Prove they can maintain their dependent without access to public funds

Prove they can maintain their dependent without access to public funds

Demonstrate adequate housing, income, or savings

Demonstrate adequate housing, income, or savings

Demonstrate adequate housing, income, or savings

Demonstrate adequate housing, income, or savings

4. Application Location

The ADR application process requires the applicant to be outside the UK. Those already in the UK are not eligible to switch to this visa category.

The application guidance provided by the UK government outlines that applying for a visa under this route while in the UK will be refused.

Key Benefits of the Adult Dependent Relative Visa

The adult dependent relative visa offers a rare but valuable pathway to settle in the UK under the family visa scheme.

Here are the key benefits:

Grants indefinite leave to remain upon approval

Grants indefinite leave to remain upon approval

Grants indefinite leave to remain upon approval

Grants indefinite leave to remain upon approval

Allows elderly or disabled adult relatives to receive care from family in the UK

Allows elderly or disabled adult relatives to receive care from family in the UK

Allows elderly or disabled adult relatives to receive care from family in the UK

Allows elderly or disabled adult relatives to receive care from family in the UK

Provides a legal route to stay in the UK permanently

Provides a legal route to stay in the UK permanently

Provides a legal route to stay in the UK permanently

Provides a legal route to stay in the UK permanently

Offers access to the UK’s healthcare system, subject to normal conditions

Offers access to the UK’s healthcare system, subject to normal conditions

Offers access to the UK’s healthcare system, subject to normal conditions

Offers access to the UK’s healthcare system, subject to normal conditions

Ensures elderly or ill family members are not left alone or vulnerable abroad

Ensures elderly or ill family members are not left alone or vulnerable abroad

Ensures elderly or ill family members are not left alone or vulnerable abroad

Ensures elderly or ill family members are not left alone or vulnerable abroad

Prevents reliance on public funds by requiring the sponsor to provide full support

Prevents reliance on public funds by requiring the sponsor to provide full support

Prevents reliance on public funds by requiring the sponsor to provide full support

Prevents reliance on public funds by requiring the sponsor to provide full support

This visa route is especially important for families caring for a dependent adult who has no other support.

Why Choose Bekenbey?

Applying for an adult dependent relative visa requires careful planning, extensive documentation, and expert legal support. At Bekenbey, our immigration lawyers have the experience to:

  • Review and confirm your eligibility

  • Help you meet all visa requirements

  • Assist with preparing a strong application for an adult dependent

  • Present compelling evidence to the Home Office

  • Respond to potential refusals or request for more information

  • Improve your chance of success with proven strategies

We also support sponsors who wish to bring a relative in the UK under compassionate or exceptional circumstances, including adult dependant care situations.

Our team is ready to discuss your adult dependent relative case and ensure your application meets the expectations of the UK immigration system.

Apply for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa Today with Bekenbey

If you have an adult family member who requires care and support, and they are dependent on the sponsor in the UK, you may be eligible to apply.

You will need to show:

  • A genuine close relationship

  • The applicant’s long-term medical need

  • Lack of available care in their country

  • Financial ability to accommodate their dependent relative

You need to apply for this visa while the applicant is outside the UK, and ensure the application is submitted with full evidence of need, relationship, and care arrangements.

Our visa lawyers can help you:

  • Navigate the complex adr application process

  • Submit a thorough adult dependent visa application

  • Apply for settlement in the UK through this visa route

  • Address any concerns if your application is refused or delayed

Let Bekenbey assist you in preparing a successful application for an adult dependent relative visa, bringing your loved one to the UK in the most compassionate and legally secure way.

Needed Documents

We’ve listed all the key documents required for your visa application to make your process as smooth as possible. Here are some common documents you may need to provide:

1

Valid passport for the applicant

1

Valid passport for the applicant

1

Valid passport for the applicant

1

Valid passport for the applicant

2

Birth or adoption certificates to prove the family relationship

2

Birth or adoption certificates to prove the family relationship

2

Birth or adoption certificates to prove the family relationship

2

Birth or adoption certificates to prove the family relationship

3

Medical reports confirming the required level of care

3

Medical reports confirming the required level of care

3

Medical reports confirming the required level of care

3

Medical reports confirming the required level of care

4

Documents showing care is not available or affordable in their home country

4

Documents showing care is not available or affordable in their home country

4

Documents showing care is not available or affordable in their home country

4

Documents showing care is not available or affordable in their home country

5

Evidence of the sponsor’s immigration status (e.g., British passport, BRP)

5

Evidence of the sponsor’s immigration status (e.g., British passport, BRP)

5

Evidence of the sponsor’s immigration status (e.g., British passport, BRP)

5

Evidence of the sponsor’s immigration status (e.g., British passport, BRP)

6

Proof that the sponsor can maintain and accommodate their dependent

6

Proof that the sponsor can maintain and accommodate their dependent

6

Proof that the sponsor can maintain and accommodate their dependent

6

Proof that the sponsor can maintain and accommodate their dependent

7

Details of living arrangements and presence in the UK

7

Details of living arrangements and presence in the UK

7

Details of living arrangements and presence in the UK

7

Details of living arrangements and presence in the UK

8

Financial records (payslips, bank statements, housing contracts)

8

Financial records (payslips, bank statements, housing contracts)

8

Financial records (payslips, bank statements, housing contracts)

8

Financial records (payslips, bank statements, housing contracts)

These documents are essential to meet the requirements for the adult dependent relative visa.

Your Immigration
Questions, Answered

Have questions about UK immigration? We’ve got you covered. If you have more questions, you can contact us.f

Can I apply from inside the UK?

No. The adult dependent relative visa must be applied for outside the UK. Applicants already in the UK are not permitted to switch into this visa category and will be refused.

Can I apply from inside the UK?

No. The adult dependent relative visa must be applied for outside the UK. Applicants already in the UK are not permitted to switch into this visa category and will be refused.

Can I apply from inside the UK?

No. The adult dependent relative visa must be applied for outside the UK. Applicants already in the UK are not permitted to switch into this visa category and will be refused.

Can I apply from inside the UK?

No. The adult dependent relative visa must be applied for outside the UK. Applicants already in the UK are not permitted to switch into this visa category and will be refused.

What if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, you may file an appeal or a fresh application. It’s crucial to strengthen medical evidence and demonstrate why the required level of care cannot be provided in the home country. Bekenbey’s immigration lawyers can help assess and rebuild your case.

What if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, you may file an appeal or a fresh application. It’s crucial to strengthen medical evidence and demonstrate why the required level of care cannot be provided in the home country. Bekenbey’s immigration lawyers can help assess and rebuild your case.

What if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, you may file an appeal or a fresh application. It’s crucial to strengthen medical evidence and demonstrate why the required level of care cannot be provided in the home country. Bekenbey’s immigration lawyers can help assess and rebuild your case.

What if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, you may file an appeal or a fresh application. It’s crucial to strengthen medical evidence and demonstrate why the required level of care cannot be provided in the home country. Bekenbey’s immigration lawyers can help assess and rebuild your case.

Can I work or claim benefits on this visa?

No. The adult dependent relative is expected to be fully supported by the UK sponsor and must not access public funds. However, the visa grants indefinite leave to remain, meaning the holder may live in the UK permanently with their family.

Can I work or claim benefits on this visa?

No. The adult dependent relative is expected to be fully supported by the UK sponsor and must not access public funds. However, the visa grants indefinite leave to remain, meaning the holder may live in the UK permanently with their family.

Can I work or claim benefits on this visa?

No. The adult dependent relative is expected to be fully supported by the UK sponsor and must not access public funds. However, the visa grants indefinite leave to remain, meaning the holder may live in the UK permanently with their family.

Can I work or claim benefits on this visa?

No. The adult dependent relative is expected to be fully supported by the UK sponsor and must not access public funds. However, the visa grants indefinite leave to remain, meaning the holder may live in the UK permanently with their family.