Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK – Guidance for Family Carer Applications

Mr. Sajjad Kayani a Principal Ilford Solicitor

Mr. Sajjad Kayani

Mr Kayani is a Principal solicitor since 2006. He was graduated in 2000. He was first called to bar in 2002…

Overview

The Adult Dependent Relative Visa UK, also known as the Family Carer Visa is designed for elderly or disabled family members who need long-term personal care from their relatives settled in the UK. You must be a sibling, parent, grandparent, or adult child of someone who has British nationality, settled status in the UK, or is in the UK as a refugee or on humanitarian protection. You must also require long-term personal care due to a disability, illness, or old age. This visa can only be applied for from outside the UK, as you cannot switch to this visa if you are already in the country.

Our Adult Dependent Visa solicitors provide comprehensive assistance for ADR visa applications. Our Family Visa solicitors can guide you through the eligibility criteria and application process.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Additionally, your sponsor must meet specific financial requirements and provide a written undertaking to confirm this.


Our experienced Adult Dependent relative Visa solicitors can offer tailored advice to ensure you meet all requirements before submitting your application. We also guide all other Family Visa routes.
The applicant must be a parent, sibling, child, or grandparent aged 18 or above, while the UK sponsor must be a British national, an individual with refugee status, an individual with humanitarian protection, an EEA national with limited leave to remain, or a resident with permanent settled status in the UK. The sponsor must also be over 18 years of age at the time of application.
If your visa application is refused, you can seek an administrative review or appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal. Our solicitors can help you make the right choice and provide tailored advice in case of visa rejection.
As part of your visa application, you must provide documents to confirm the relationship between the applicant and the UK sponsor, medical evidence, evidence of the need to come to the UK, proof of care, and proof of accommodation. Our solicitors can help you gather these documents and ensure a complete visa application.

General requirements for this visa include

HowTo apply for an Adult Dependent Visa, the applicant must follow these steps

  • 01

    Complete the online application form (Form VAF4A) accurately and honestly on the UK government website.
  • 02

    Gather all necessary supporting documents, such as proof of relationship, medical evidence, and financial documentation.
  • 03

    Pay the application fee of £3,250 using an accepted payment method.
  • 04

    Schedule an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric information and submit supporting documents.
  • 05

    Attend the appointment with the appointment confirmation, passport, and all required documents, ensuring they are original and up-to-date.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for an Adult Dependent Visa application:

Tips for Success

To ensure a successful application, the applicant should

Common Reasons for Refusals

The following are common reasons for Adult Dependent Visa application refusals:

Visa Extensions and Changes

Adult Dependent Visas are granted indefinitely, allowing the applicant to remain in the UK as long as their sponsor can continue to provide care. If circumstances change and the applicant needs to switch to a different visa category, they must meet the requirements for that category and submit a new application.

Rights and Restrictions

Adult Dependent Visa holders can live in the UK with their sponsor and receive care. However, they need help to work, access public funds, or use the National Health Service (NHS) for free. They must also leave the UK after their visa validity period if their sponsor can no longer provide care.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Kayani Legal has successfully helped many individuals apply for an Adult Dependent Visa.

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Case Study 1

An elderly parent with a chronic illness was granted an Adult Dependent Visa after Kayani Legal demonstrated the unavailability of adequate care in their home country and the financial stability of their UK sponsor.

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Case Study 2

A disabled adult sibling successfully obtained an Adult Dependent Visa after Kayani Legal helped gather substantial medical evidence and proof of a robust and genuine relationship with their UK sponsor.

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Case Study 3

Despite initial complications, an Adult Dependent Visa was granted to a grandparent needing long-term care after Kayani Legal addressed concerns about financial support and the sponsor's ability to provide care.

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Case Study 4

A previous application refusal was overturned, and an Adult Dependent Visa was granted after Kayani Legal helped an applicant gather additional evidence and resubmit a more robust application.

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Case Study 5

An adult child with a rare medical condition was granted an Adult Dependent Visa after Kayani Legal successfully demonstrated the unique care requirements and the UK sponsor's ability to meet those needs.

Case Laws on Adult Dependent Visa

  • R (on the application of Agyarko) v SSHD [2017] UKSC 11

    The Supreme Court clarified the requirements for adult dependent relatives under the Immigration Rules, stating that applicants must prove insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing outside the UK.

  • Britcits v SSHD [2017] EWCA Civ 368

    The Court of Appeal upheld the lawfulness of the financial requirements for adult dependent relatives, finding them to be consistent with the right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the ECHR.

  • R (on the application of Kaur) v SSHD [2015] EWHC 29 (Admin)

    The High Court ruled that the application of the financial requirement to adult dependent relative applications does not discriminate against elderly applicants.

  • R (on the application of Simak) v SSHD [2015] EWHC 86 (Admin)

    The High Court found that the requirement to demonstrate "exceptional circumstances" in adult dependent relative applications is compatible with the right to family life under Article 8 of the ECHR.

  • R (on the application of MM (Lebanon)) v SSHD [2017] UKSC 10

    The Supreme Court determined that the minimum income requirement for adult dependent relatives is not inherently unlawful, but its application may be disproportionate in individual cases.

  • R (on the application of Ravi) v SSHD [2021] EWHC 1695 (Admin)

    The High Court clarified that the "insurmountable obstacles" test applies to both applications for leave to enter and leave to remain as an adult dependent relative.

  • R (on the application of Javed) v SSHD [2018] EWHC 3479 (Admin)

    The High Court found that the language requirement for adult dependent relatives does not infringe on the right to family life under Article 8 of the ECHR.

  • R (on the application of Gurung) v SSHD [2013] EWHC 64 (Admin)

    The High Court established that it is not unlawful for the Immigration Rules to distinguish between different types of family members, including adult dependent relatives when assessing eligibility for visas.

  • R (on the application of Quila) v SSHD [2011] UKSC 45

    The Supreme Court ruled that the age requirement for adult dependent relatives could not be applied blanketly and must be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure compatibility with Article 8 of the ECHR.

Find Your Answer

Frequently Asked Questions

An Adult Dependent Visa, also known as an Adult Dependent Relative Visa, allows individuals settled in the UK to bring their elderly or dependent adult family members to join them. This visa category falls under UK Immigration Law and Rules, ensuring that dependent relatives receive adequate care and support.

Adult family members of British citizens, individuals with indefinite leave to remain, or those with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK can apply for this visa. The dependent relative must require long-term care due to age, illness, or disability, and the care must be unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that they:

  • Are related to the UK sponsor as a parent, grandparent, sibling, or child over 18.
  • Require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.
  • They cannot access the required care in their home country because it is unavailable or unaffordable.
  • Their UK sponsor financially supports them without recourse to public funds.
Processing times for Adult Dependent Visas can vary, but typically, decisions are made within 12 weeks of submitting a complete application. However, complex cases may take longer.
Adult Dependent Visa holders are prohibited from working or studying in the UK.
Adult Dependent Visas are valid indefinitely, allowing the visa holder to remain in the UK as long as their sponsor meets the eligibility requirements.
Yes, Adult Dependent Visa holders can apply for ILR after living in the UK for five straight years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Critical documents for an Adult Dependent Visa application include:
  • A valid passport or travel document./li>
  • Proof of relationship to the UK sponsor./li>
  • Medical documentation detailing the applicant's care needs./li>
  • Evidence of the UK sponsor's financial ability to support the applicant./li>
Yes, applications can be refused if the applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria, submits insufficient or incorrect documentation, or if the Entry Clearance Officer believes the applicant does not genuinely require long-term personal care in the UK.
Yes, if your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision within 28 days of receiving the refusal notice. It is advisable to seek legal advice from an experienced immigration solicitor, such as Kayani Legal, to increase your chances of a successful appeal.

Why Choose Kayani Legal for Your Adult Dependent Visa Application

Kayani Legal offers unparalleled expertise and comprehensive support for Adult Dependent Visa applications under UK Immigration Law. Here are the key benefits of choosing us for your case:

Expertise in Family Immigration Law

Thorough Case Preparation

Focus on Demonstrating Compassionate Circumstances

High Success Rate in Complex Applications

Transparent and Client-Centric Service

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