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Adult Dependent Relative visa
VisasUnited KingdomAdult Dependent Relative visa
United KingdomUnited Kingdom•Europe
Open

Adult Dependent Relative visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–6 months

Estimated Cost

GBP £1,407–£3,635

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,000
Quality of Life
174/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The UK Adult Dependent Relative visa lets adults aged 18 or over who need long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability join a close relative settled in the UK. The sponsor — a British or settled person — must be a parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child and sign a 5-year care undertaking.

Successful applicants receive Indefinite Leave to Enter (immediate settlement), with the right to work and study. The fee is £3,635 from outside the UK; decisions usually take 12 weeks. qualification is strict: applicants must prove the required care cannot be obtained or afforded in their home country.

This visa is ideal for elderly or infirm adults whose only viable carer is a close relative already settled in the UK, and who can prove no adequate care exists in their home country.

United Kingdom

Curious about life in the United Kingdom?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

Explore Guide

Cost Breakdown

Adult Dependent Relative Visa Application Fee (Outside UK)GBP £3,635
Adult Dependent Relative Visa Application Fee (Inside UK)GBP £1,407
TotalGBP £1,407–£3,635

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant5 years

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 18 or older and require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability

Must prove that the required level of care is not available or affordable in the home country

Must be sponsored by a close relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, or child) who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has refugee/humanitarian protection

Sponsor must sign a 5-year undertaking to provide maintenance, accommodation, and care without recourse to public funds

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows family reunification for those requiring long-term care
  • Grants Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) if the sponsor is British or settled in the UK
  • Permits the holder to work and study in the UK

Worth Knowing

  • Extremely strict qualification criteria with a high rate of refusal
  • Requires proof that care is unavailable or unaffordable in the applicant's home country
  • Sponsor must meet significant financial and accommodation obligations

Application Process

1

Gather evidence of medical needs, financial stability, and relationship to the sponsor

2

Complete the online application form from outside the UK

3

Pay the application fee and any applicable healthcare surcharge

4

Attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre to submit fingerprints and photographs

5

Upload supporting documents and await a decision

Verified Claims (18)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application Steps
Gather evidence of medical needs, financial stability, and relationship to the sponsor; Complete the…
gov.uk
Fee Breakdown
Adult Dependent Relative Visa Application Fee (Outside UK): 3635 GBP; Adult Dependent Relative Visa …
gov.uk
Fees
£3,635 (for applications from outside the UK)
gov.uk
Forms
—
gov.uk
Included Nationalities
—
gov.uk
Official Info
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/adult-dependent-relative
gov.uk
Max Stay
Indefinite
gov.uk
Max Stay Estimate
type: days, initialDays: 1825, notes: Granted indefinite leave to enter (settlement) if applying fro…
gov.uk
Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,000
Quality of Life
174/200
Full Country Guide

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