The adult dependent relative route is subject to stringent Home Office requirements and applications require detailed evidence addressing the applicant’s care needs, family circumstances and the availability and affordability of care in their country of residence.
Our specialist immigration lawyers, solicitors and barristers take responsibility for your application from start to finish, providing clear legal advice, preparing your supporting evidence and representing you throughout the application process until a decision is received.
We offer a fixed-fee service, providing transparency over your legal costs with no hidden charges.
What is an adult dependent relative visa?
The adult dependent relative route is designed for adults aged 18 or over who need to come to the UK to be cared for by a close relative who is living permanently in the UK.
The applicant may be the parent, grandparent, son, daughter, brother or sister of the UK-based sponsor. The sponsor must generally be a British or Irish citizen, settled in the UK, have qualifying pre-settled status, or have protection status in the UK.
Applications are closely scrutinised by UK Visas and Immigration, particularly in relation to the applicant's care requirements and the availability of suitable care in their country of residence.
Key requirements
To qualify, the applicant must generally be able to demonstrate that:
- They are aged 18 or over.
- They are the parent, grandparent, son, daughter, brother or sister of the UK-based sponsor.
- As a result of age, illness or disability, they require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks.
- The required level of care is not available or affordable in the country where they are living, even with financial assistance from the UK sponsor.
- The UK sponsor is able to provide adequate maintenance, accommodation and care for the applicant without reliance on public funds.
- The sponsor can provide the required financial evidence and undertake responsibility for the applicant's maintenance, accommodation and care for the relevant period.
One of the most important aspects of an adult dependent relative application is demonstrating that the applicant genuinely requires long-term personal care.
This will normally require detailed evidence explaining the applicant's medical condition, disability or age-related needs and how these affect their ability to carry out everyday personal tasks.
It is also necessary to establish why the required care cannot reasonably be obtained in the applicant's country of residence. This may involve evidence concerning the availability, accessibility and affordability of care, as well as the applicant's individual circumstances.
Financial requirement
The UK sponsor must demonstrate that they can provide adequate maintenance, accommodation and care for the applicant without reliance on public funds.
The financial assessment can involve evidence of income, cash savings and other permitted sources of funds. The Immigration Rules also contain specific evidential requirements concerning the period over which income or savings must be demonstrated.
The sponsor must also provide a signed maintenance undertaking confirming responsibility for the applicant's maintenance, accommodation and care for the relevant period. Where the sponsor is British or settled, this undertaking is generally for five years from the applicant's arrival in the UK.
Every case is assessed on its individual circumstances, and we will provide clear advice on the evidence required to present your application as comprehensively as possible.
Speak to our immigration specialists
If you are considering bringing a parent, grandparent or another dependent adult relative to the UK, obtaining specialist legal advice before submitting an application can be particularly important.
Contact Sterling Shore Solicitors today to arrange your initial assessment.
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Speak to one of our UK Immigration Specialists to discuss your circumstances and the requirements for an adult dependent relative visa.
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UK immigration law is governed by complex legislation, detailed Immigration Rules and strict Home Office guidance. Every visa category has specific requirements that must be satisfied, and even minor errors or omissions can result in an application being delayed or refused.
Seeking specialist legal advice at the outset can significantly reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. Applicants who prepare and submit their own applications often underestimate the complexity of the Immigration Rules, increasing the risk of refusal and the loss of substantial Home Office fees.
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