FAMILY IMMIGRATION

ADULT DEPENDENT RELATIVE VISA

A carefully prepared route for families facing serious care needs overseas

OVERVIEW

The Adult Dependent Relative route is for adult family members who require long-term personal care because of age, illness or disability. It is most often considered where a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, adult son or adult daughter depends on a close family member in the UK.

This is a demanding application route. The Home Office normally expects detailed evidence of the applicant’s care needs, the availability and affordability of care overseas, the family position, and the sponsor’s ability to support and accommodate the applicant in the UK.

WHO MAY BE ABLE TO APPLY

  • Parents and grandparents of a qualifying UK-based sponsor.

  • Brothers, sisters, adult sons or adult daughters in appropriate circumstances.

  • Applicants who require long-term personal care to complete everyday tasks.

  • Applicants who cannot reasonably obtain the required level of care in their country of residence.

SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS

The sponsor must usually be settled, settling in the UK, or hold a qualifying immigration status. They must also be able to maintain and accommodate the applicant without relying on public funds.

  • Evidence of immigration status, such as British citizenship, indefinite leave, settled status or protection status.

  • Proof of income, savings and housing arrangements.

  • Evidence that the accommodation is suitable and not overcrowded.

  • A sponsor declaration confirming responsibility for support and accommodation.

THE CARE EVIDENCE

The care evidence often determines the strength of the application. It should explain both what care is needed and why the applicant cannot realistically obtain it where they currently live.

  • Medical reports from doctors, consultants or other qualified healthcare professionals.

  • Care assessments describing the applicant’s daily needs, mobility, medication and personal care requirements.

  • Evidence of care costs, care availability and any practical barriers in the applicant’s home country.

  • Information about family members overseas and why they cannot reasonably provide the required support.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Assess whether the route is realistic before an application is prepared.

  • Prepare a tailored evidence checklist for the applicant and sponsor.

  • Review medical, financial, accommodation and care evidence for gaps.

  • Prepare written representations explaining how the legal requirements are met.

COMMON ISSUES

  • Medical letters that confirm a diagnosis but do not explain the level of personal care required.

  • Insufficient evidence about the availability or affordability of professional care overseas.

  • Unclear financial evidence from the sponsor.

  • Applications that do not address alternative care options directly.

Evidence focus

Documents often matter most.

Every case is different, but these are common evidence themes for this route.

MEDICAL REPORTS

CARE ASSESSMENTS

CARE AVAILABILITY EVIDENCE

SPONSOR FINANCES

ACCOMODATION EVIDENCE

FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES