The Adult Dependent Relative visa is intended for adult dependents of British citizens in the UK, individuals with settled status, those with limited leave to remain in the UK under Appendix EU, or individuals with refugee leave or humanitarian protection status in the UK who want to become permanent residents.
Requirements for an Adult Dependent Relative visa
In order to qualify for an Adult Dependent Relative visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are the parent aged 18 years or over, grandparent, brother or sister aged 18 years or over or son or daughter aged 18 years or over of a person who is in the UK and that person is over 18 and either a British citizen, settled in the UK, has limited leave to remain in the UK under Appendix EU or is a person with refugee leave or humanitarian protection status;
- As a result of age, illness or disability, you require long-term personal care (that is help performing everyday tasks, e.g. washing, dressing and cooking);
- You are unable, even with the practical and financial help of your family member in the UK, to obtain the required level of care in the country where you are living because it is not available and there is no person (close relative, home-help, housekeeper, nurse, carer, care or nursing home) in your country who can reasonably provide it, or because it is not affordable;
- You will be adequately maintained, accommodated and cared for in the UK by your family member, without recourse to public funds (if your family member is a British citizen or settled in the UK, they will be required to sign a 5-year undertaking to this effect).
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
What else do I need to know about the Adult Dependent Relative visa?
The Adult Dependent Relative visa route is only available to applicants outside the UK. It is not possible to switch into this route from within the UK.
Even if the person applying for an Adult Dependent Relative visa does experience the high level of ill health required by the second criterion, the third criterion is even
harder to meet. Most sponsors who are able to afford to maintain and accommodate their dependent relative for five years will find it hard to prove that they cannot afford to provide care for that relative in their country of origin.
If you are granted an Adult Dependent Relative visa under the Immigration Rules then you will be permitted to enter, and remain in the UK, indefinitely.