The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa enables non-UK-resident family members in need of long-term personal care to join a settled sponsor in the UK. This route is highly restrictive and is reserved for exceptional circumstances where care cannot be reasonably provided in the applicant's home country due to age, illness, or disability. Successful applicants are generally granted indefinite leave to enter, supporting the policy goal of family unity for the most vulnerable.

Who is eligible to apply, and who can sponsor?

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and closely related to the sponsor as a parent, grandparent, adult child, or sibling. The UK sponsor must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status, indefinite leave to remain, or refugee/humanitarian protection. Both parties must provide strong evidence of their family relationship, and the sponsor must undertake to support the applicant financially and accommodate them for at least five years without access to public funds.

What evidence of long-term personal care needs must be provided?

Applicants must submit recent, independent medical reports detailing an inability to perform essential daily tasks due to a chronic illness, severe disability, or old age. The evidence should clearly outline the diagnosis, the nature and duration of care required, and be endorsed by recognised medical professionals. The Home Office will only accept impartial, well-documented evidence rather than personal declarations or unsubstantiated assertions.

How can applicants prove care is unavailable or unaffordable in the home country?

The Home Office requires documentary evidence showing all care options in the home country have been thoroughly explored and found unavailable or unaffordable. Acceptable evidence includes written refusals or estimates from care providers, country or expert reports, and communication logs regarding the search for care. Explanations as to why other family members cannot provide suitable care are necessary. Vague or unsupported claims will not suffice.

What financial maintenance and legal undertaking must the sponsor provide?

The sponsor must provide six months or more of bank statements, payslips, or other verifiable financial evidence, as well as proof of sufficient accommodation. The SU07 form must be signed, confirming the sponsor's responsibility for the applicant for a minimum of five years. Any gaps, inconsistencies, or lack of clarity in the sponsor’s documents could result in refusal.

Can an ADR visa be applied for from within the UK?

Ordinarily, ADR visa applications must be made from abroad. Only in the rarest cases, such as when refusal would represent an unjustifiably harsh breach of human rights, may an in-country application be considered. Applicants in such situations should seek thorough legal representation and prepare substantial supporting evidence.

What are the common reasons for refusal?

Frequent grounds for refusal include inadequate medical documentation, a lack of evidence showing care is unavailable or unaffordable at home, financial maintenance concerns, or inconsistencies in either applicant's or sponsor’s evidence. The Home Office scrutinises every aspect; vague statements or incomplete documentation will almost always lead to refusal.

What are the options after refusal?

Refused applicants receive a written explanation and details of any appeal rights, typically on human rights grounds. Appeals must directly address the refusal points, and a fresh application can only succeed with improved, robust evidence. Legal help is recommended at this stage for the best chance of success.

How long does an Adult Dependent Relative visa last?

Typically, an ADR visa grants indefinite leave to remain for the applicant; this is not a time-limited route, so recipients who continue to meet the original conditions may live in the UK permanently.

Can ADR visa holders access the NHS?

ADR visa holders with indefinite leave to remain are entitled to National Health Service (NHS) services on the same basis as other permanent residents in the UK.

Are ADR visa holders allowed to work?

There are no prohibitions on employment for those granted indefinite leave to enter via the ADR route; thus, ADR visa holders are free to work and engage in business activities if they are able.

Can ADR visa holders bring dependants to the UK?

The ADR category is specifically for individuals who need care and does not usually allow the inclusion of dependents on the same application. However, eligible family members can apply separately under the relevant route, subject to their circumstances.

What happens if the sponsor dies after the ADR visa is granted?

If the sponsor dies after the ADR visa is issued, the status of indefinite leave to remain is not automatically revoked. The holder may remain in the UK permanently, provided all original eligibility conditions were met at the time of the grant.

How does the Adult Dependent Relative visa compare to other UK family immigration routes?

The ADR visa is highly restricted, reserved only for family members who need long-term personal care that cannot be provided abroad. This route’s evidential threshold is far higher than those for spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, parent of a British child, or dependent child visas. Those other routes focus on relationship authenticity, financial requirements, English language skills, and accommodation, but do not require proof of long-term care needs, making them accessible to a broader range of applicants.

Is legal assistance recommended for ADR visa applications?

Seeking professional advice for the Adult Dependent Relative visa process is highly advisable, given the intricate requirements, extensive documentation, and significant risk of refusal. The stringent evidential standards and the need to present comprehensive, credible medical and care-related evidence make thorough, expert guidance invaluable throughout the application.

ARIS International lawyers specialise in UK family immigration and are well placed to assist families in reuniting under this difficult scheme, offering tailored advice and robust representation at every stage. To discuss your specific circumstances or begin your application, please contact 020 3865 6219 or send a message for an initial consultation.