Immigration, Simplified

Adult Dependant Relative Visa

The Adult Dependant Relative (ADR) visa is one of the most difficult UK visas to obtain. it is intended for parents, grandparents, siblings, or adult children who require a high level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by their relative in the UK.

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Official UK Government Updates

For accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official UK Government source:

Adult Dependent Relative (Family Visa)

Core Eligibility and The “Care” Test

To be successful, you must pass a three-part test that the Home Office applies very strictly:

Level of Care: You must prove that, due to age, illness, or disability, you require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks (such as dressing, washing, and cooking).
Unavailability: You must demonstrate that the required level of care is not available in your home country. This includes proving there is no other person (relative, friend, or professional carer) who can reasonably provide it.
Affordability: If care is available in your home country, you must prove it is not affordable, even with the financial support of your UK sponsor.

The Sponsor’s Role

Your sponsor must be a British or Irish citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), have EU Settled Status, or hold refugee/humanitarian protection.

The 5-Year Undertaking: If the sponsor is British or settled, they must sign a legally binding document pledging to be financially responsible for you for at least 5 years. This means you cannot claim any public funds (benefits) during this time.
Adequate Maintenance: The sponsor must show they have enough income to support you after paying their own housing costs. The benchmark is often based on what a similar UK family would receive on Income Support.

2026 Costs and Fees

The ADR visa is expensive because it often grants permanent residency (settlement) immediately upon arrival.

Fee Type	2026 Rate
Visa Application Fee (Outside UK)	£3,413
Health Surcharge (IHS)	Exempt (if granted ILR immediately)
Priority Service	£500 (Optional)

Exceptions: If your sponsor has refugee status or humanitarian protection, the application fee is significantly lower (approx. £424), and you will be granted “limited leave” rather than immediate settlement. In this case, you must pay the Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year).

Key Rules and Restrictions

Outside UK Only: You must apply from your home country. You cannot switch to an ADR visa from within the UK (e.g., while visiting on a tourist visa) except in very rare human rights cases involving “insurmountable obstacles.”
No Partner Rule: If you are a parent or grandparent, you cannot be in a subsisting relationship with a partner unless that partner is also the sponsor’s parent or grandparent and is applying at the same time.
Medical Evidence: Independent medical evidence is mandatory. A simple letter from a family doctor is rarely enough; the Home Office expects detailed reports from specialists or local health authorities explaining exactly why local care options are insufficient.

Settlement and Rights

Settlement: If your sponsor is British or settled, you are usually granted Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE), meaning you have permanent residency from day one.
Work and Study: You have the full right to work and study in the UK, though the visa’s nature implies you likely require care rather than seeking employment.
No Public Funds: You are strictly prohibited from claiming state benefits for at least the first 5 years of your stay.