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Adult Dependent Relative Visa (ADR)

Specialised guidance on Adult Dependent Relative visa route with assistance in applications to maximise your chances of approval.

Pathway to Settlement with ADR

If your sponsor has refugee or humanitarian protection status, you can stay in the UK as long as they do. You may need to apply for further permission to stay in line with your sponsor’s status.

However, if your sponsor has pre-settled status, you will also receive pre-settled status. This allows you to stay in the UK for up to five years. After five years, you and your sponsor can apply for settled status if you meet the eligibility requirements.

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What is Adult Dependent Relative Visa Route?

The Adult Dependent Relative visa (ADR) allows individuals with significant ongoing care needs to join a close relative in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate that, due to age, illness, or disability, they require long-term personal care that can only be adequately provided by their UK sponsor.

Under exceptional circumstances involving extensive care requirements, applicants may be granted permanent settlement through the adult dependent relative visa.

How Do Adult Dependent Relative Visas Work?

The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa allows applicants with long-term personal care needs to join close relatives in the UK. Eligibility is strict, and successful applicants sponsored by a British citizen or settled person receive indefinite leave to enter, enabling them to live in the UK indefinitely.

  • If the sponsor has limited leave, the visa aligns with their status and carries no recourse to public funds.
  • Applications must be made from outside the UK; switching from within the UK is not permitted.
  • Once the sponsor gains indefinite leave, the ADR holder can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
  • The policy ensures only those whose care cannot be met abroad are admitted, offering access to NHS and local services.

Who Qualifies for Adult Dependent Relative Visas?

Following a 2020 Law Commission report that highlighted the complexity of the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa rules and low approval rates, the government has clarified the requirements. These revisions were aimed at clarifying the process and accessibility for eligible applicants.

Therefore, since March 2023, the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route is governed by Appendix Adult Dependent Relative, replacing the previous provisions in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Nevertheless, the qualifying requirements remain, but have been restructured for clarity.

An adult dependent relative of a UK sponsor may include:

  • A parent aged 18 years or over
  • A grandparent
  • A brother or sister aged 18 years or over
  • A son or daughter aged 18 years or over

The UK sponsor, at the time of the application, must be aged 18 years or over and:

  • A British or Irish citizen in the UK
  • Present and settled in the UK
  • Holding refugee leave or humanitarian protection in the UK
  • An EEA national with limited leave to remain under Appendix EU

 

Requirements for Adult Dependent Relative Visas

To secure an Adult Dependent Relative visa, you must meet the criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration.

The essential requirements are as follows:

  1. Eligible Relationship: You must be:
    • A parent aged 18 years or over,
    • A grandparent,
    • A brother or sister aged 18 years or over,
    • A son or daughter aged 18 years or over, of a person residing in the UK who is also over 18 years old and is either:
    • A British citizen,
    • Settled in the UK,
    • Holding limited leave to remain in the UK under Appendix EU,
    • Granted refugee status or humanitarian protection.
  2. Need for Long-Term Personal Care: You must require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, which includes help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, and cooking.
  3. Inability to Access Care in Home Country: You must demonstrate that you cannot obtain the required level of care in your home country despite financial support from your UK family member. This could be due to:
    • The unavailability of adequate care,
    • The absence of a close relative, home-help, housekeeper, nurse, carer, or care/nursing home who can reasonably provide the care, or;
    • The care being unaffordable.
  4. Maintenance and Accommodation in the UK: Your UK family member must ensure you will be adequately maintained, accommodated, and cared for in the UK without accessing public funds. If your family member is a British citizen or settled in the UK, they must commit to a five-year undertaking to this effect.
  5. Tuberculosis Test Certificate: You must provide a valid TB test pass certificate, if required.

The exact requirements vary depending on your personal circumstances. Many applicants continue to struggle to prove they meet the eligibility criteria. However, you can avoid costly mistakes and delays, by seeking guidance from an experienced immigration solicitor from the start.

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Financial Requirements for the (ADR) Visa

To sponsor an adult dependent relative under the ADR visa category, the sponsoring relative in the UK must satisfy specific financial requirements. 

  • These requirements are there to ensure that the applicant is adequately supported without needing public funds during their stay in the UK.

Adequate Financial Support for ADR Visa

As of 11 April 2024, the minimum income threshold to sponsor a spouse or partner for a UK Spouse Visa is £29,000 gross annual income. This requirement applies whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.

The sponsor must demonstrate their financial ability to support the dependent relative. Evidence of financial support can include:

  • Recent payslips
  • Personal bank statements
  • Documentation of regular income

Accommodation and Living Costs for ADR Visa

The sponsor must prove they have suitable accommodation for the dependent relative. Additionally, they must cover all living costs, including:

  • Utilities
  • Food
  • Other essentials

No Reliance on Public Funds for ADR Visa

Sponsors must prove that they will not rely on public funds to support the dependent relative. This includes refraining from accessing public benefits or welfare.

Duration of Financial Support for ADR Visa

The sponsor’s financial commitment must extend for at least five years, ensuring financial stability throughout this period.

By meeting these financial requirements, sponsors can ensure their adult dependent relative is well-supported, facilitating the successful approval of the ADR visa application. Proper documentation of the sponsor meeting the financial requirements is required for a successful application.

Get Guidance

For detailed information on what to expect regarding the financial requirements and the Adult Dependent Relative visa application in the UK, arrange for a free initial assessment with Axis Solicitors as soon as possible.

How to Avoid Adult Dependent Relative Visa Refusal?

The UK Adult Dependent Relative visa (ADR Visa) process is notoriously complex. Even if you believe you meet all the criteria, a refusal is not uncommon. Nevertheless, you should be aware that there are ways to challenge the decision and alternative options.

Common Reasons for ADR Visa Refusals:

  1. Insufficient Evidence of Care Need: The Home Office might not be convinced that the applicant requires long-term personal care that is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.
  2. Alternative Care Options: Entry Clearance Officers may believe that alternative care arrangements are available in the applicant’s home country.
  3. Financial Concerns: Even if the sponsor meets financial requirements, the Home Office may have concerns about the affordability and availability of care in the applicant’s home country.

Process of Challenging the ADR Visa Refusal

Let us guide you through the options you have available for challenging an ADR Visa refusal.

  1. Administrative Review: If you believe there has been a caseworking error, you can request an administrative review within 14 days of receiving the refusal notice. This process allows for a review of the decision based on the original application.
  2. Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal: If the administrative review is unsuccessful or not applicable, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). This formal legal process typically requires legal representation and must be initiated within 28 days of the refusal. This is an opportunity to present new evidence or arguments to support your case.
  3. Judicial Review: Applicable in cases where there has been a legal error in the decision-making process. This option is more complex and requires legal assistance. It focuses on the legality of the decision rather than the facts of the case.

Additional Options:

  • Reapply: In certain cases, it might be more practical to submit a fresh application, especially if the initial application had errors or missing information. This approach can sometimes be faster and less costly.
  • Alternative Visa Routes: Depending on the circumstances, other visa types such as a Private Medical Treatment visa might be a viable alternative in a few cases.
  • Human Rights Considerations: Under exceptional circumstances, if the refusal would lead to unjustifiably harsh consequences, an appeal can be based on human rights grounds, specifically under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life.

Receiving an ADR visa refusal can feel crushing, but it is not the end of the road. Professional legal advice will allow you to take the best action based on your unique circumstances.

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How Long You Can Stay in the UK With an ADR Visa?

If you are planning on sponsoring a relative through the UK’s Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa, the first question you are wondering is probably how long they can stay. The length of stay in the UK on ADR depends on the sponsor’s immigration status:

  • If your sponsor is a British citizen, Irish citizen, or someone settled in the UK (with ILR), you will also be granted ILR and can stay in the UK indefinitely.
  • If your sponsor has limited leave to remain (LTR) under an eligible category, you will be granted LTR with a similar expiry date to your sponsor’s. This comes with the condition of “no recourse to public funds.”

Contact Axis Solicitors for expert guidance on settlements and extensions.

How to Apply for the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa?

1. Eligibility Criteria for the ADR Visa

  • Applicants must need long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.
  • Care must be unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.
  • Only close relatives in the UK (sponsor) can support the application.

2. Financial and Practical Challenges

  • Demonstrating care is inaccessible or unaffordable abroad can be difficult.
  • Sponsors must show they can maintain and accommodate the relative for five years.
  • Evidence is needed proving care cannot be arranged in the applicant’s home country.

3. Settlement and Temporary Permission

  • If the sponsor is a British citizen or settled, the ADR visa grants settlement.
  • Sponsors with temporary leave have temporary permission for the ADR.
  • Dependent relatives can later apply for further permission or indefinite leave.

4. Specific Routes and Restrictions

  • The Hong Kong BN(O) route exists for dependents of BN(O) status holders.
  • ADR visa applications must be made from outside the UK.
  • Switching into the ADR route from within the UK is not allowed.

5. Human Rights Considerations

  • Leave to remain may be granted on human rights grounds under Article 8.
  • Refusal may be overturned if it results in unjustifiably harsh consequences.
  • Even if ADR requirements are not fully met, permission can still be granted.

Supporting Documents for Adult Dependent Relative Visa

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1. Proof of Relationship

  • Submit birth, adoption, or marriage certificates to show familial ties.
  • Include any other documents verifying the relationship with the UK sponsor.
  • Clear proof of the connection strengthens the application.

2. Medical Evidence

  • Provide independent medical reports detailing physical or mental conditions.
  • Show the need for long-term personal care and inability to perform everyday tasks.
  • Reports from doctors or healthcare professionals are required.

3. Evidence of Unavailable or Unaffordable Care

  • Demonstrate that necessary care is not available in the home country.
  • Show that care is unaffordable even with financial support from the sponsor.
  • Reports from healthcare providers, government agencies, or social services

4. Financial and Accommodation Evidence

  • Sponsors must prove financial ability to support the applicant for at least 5 years.
  • Provide bank statements, payslips, or other income evidence.
  • Show proof of suitable accommodation, e.g., tenancy or property owner letter.

5. Sponsor’s Undertaking and Additional Documents

  • Signed undertaking confirming commitment to provide necessary support.
  • Complete the official UK government ADR visa application form online.
  • Additional documents may be needed depending on specific circumstances.

Why Choose Axis Solicitors for ADR Visas?

Axis Solicitors provides immigration advice and support for Adult Dependent Relative visas in the UK. Our solicitors have guided clients through legal pathways with successful outcomes. 

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Expert guidance for ADR visa applications and appeals

Personalized support for sponsors and applicants

Remote or in-person consultation flexibility

Full handling of documents and legal requirements

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Maximise Your Chances of ADR Visa Approval

Our team of experienced immigration solicitors has successfully handled ADR visas. We provide a convenient and remote free initial assessment as well as office meetings in Manchester, Birmingham or London. Our solicitors will do the work required to achieve the results you deserve.

Reach out to Axis Solicitors today to discuss solutions and take the first step towards a successful appeal or a new visa application supported by comprehensive documentation.

Book Initial Assessment

ADR Visa Services with Axis Solicitors

We guide families through every step of the ADR visa process, making reunification as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our experienced immigration solicitors ensure applications are well-documented and supported with strong legal arguments.

  • Free initial assessment to review eligibility and next steps.
  • Expert guidance for both sponsors and applicants on UK immigration law.
  • Support in gathering documentation and preparing compelling arguments.
  • Advice on legal options tailored to your unique circumstances.
  • Accessible consultations via phone, email, or in-person in Manchester, Birmingham, or London.

For trusted ADR visa advice and support, contact Axis Solicitors today and take the first step toward a successful application.

FAQ: (ADR) VISA

For the Adult Dependent Relative visa application, applicants often face difficulties in proving that the necessary care is inaccessible or unaffordable in their home country. Even sponsors with ample resources to support their relatives in the UK may struggle to demonstrate the lack of adequate care options abroad.

An Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) is a parent, grandparent, adult sibling, or child of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK who, due to age, illness, or disability, requires a significant level of long-term personal care. This care must be essential for their daily living activities and must not be available or affordable in their country of origin. The ADR visa enables these individuals to join their family members in the UK, provided they meet strict eligibility criteria and demonstrate that they cannot receive the necessary care in their home country.

Key Points:

  1. Relationship: The applicant must be a close relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child) of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK.
  2. Need for Care: The applicant must demonstrate that they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.
  3. Unavailability of Care: It must be shown that the necessary level of care is not available or affordable in the applicant’s home country.
  4. Financial Support: The UK sponsor must prove they can adequately maintain and accommodate the applicant without recourse to public funds.

Yes, you can bring your adult brother or sister to live in the UK permanently under the Adult Dependent Relative visa. However, to qualify, you must be a British citizen, have settled status in the UK, or hold limited leave to remain under a qualifying route. Additionally, your sibling must require long-term care that cannot be provided in their home country but can be provided in the UK.

At Axis Solicitors, we understand the ADR visa application process and our solicitors provide affordable legal services to ensure that all legal arguments are thoroughly documented if you need to sponsor an ADR visa application for a sibling.

Applying for an Adult Dependent Relative visa requires clear, well-documented evidence. You must prove your need for long-term care, show that suitable care is unavailable or unaffordable in your home country, and demonstrate that your UK-based relative can support and accommodate you.

  • Proof of your family relationship with the UK sponsor.

  • Medical reports confirming long-term care needs due to age, illness, or disability.

  • Evidence that adequate care is unavailable or unaffordable in your home country.

  • Financial documents from your UK sponsor proving they can support you.

  • Proof of suitable accommodation in the UK.

  • A detailed care plan outlining how your needs will be met.

  • Character and immigration history documents, where applicable.

The Home Office applies strict criteria, so strong, consistent evidence is essential to show genuine need for care in the UK.

No, Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa must generally be applied from outside the UK.

Switching into the ADR route from within the UK is not permitted. However, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be granted permission to enter or remain under human rights grounds (Article 8) if refusal would lead to unjustifiably harsh consequences.

Key Points:

  • Application Location: Must usually apply from outside the UK.

  • Switching Not Allowed: You cannot change to this visa from another UK visa type.

Human Rights Exceptions: In rare cases, permission may be granted if refusal would cause severe hardship.