A narrow route
The adult dependent relative route lets an adult who needs care join a family member in the UK, but the test is one of the hardest in immigration law. You must be 18 or over and need long-term personal care to do everyday personal and household tasks, because of illness, disability or age. The care you need must not be available, or not be affordable, in the country where you live. You can apply only from outside the UK, unless you are extending your stay on this visa.
Who can sponsor you
You must need care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter who lives permanently in the UK, and who is:
- a British or Irish citizen;
- settled in the UK, with indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence;
- an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status who began living here before 1 January 2021; or
- a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection.
What you must prove
- You need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or age.
- The care you need is not available or affordable in the country where you live.
- Your relative can accommodate and care for you for the whole time they have permission to be in the UK, or for five years if they are British or settled.
- Your relative has enough money to support you without public funds. The caseworker considers their income, their housing costs and any care costs.
What the evidence looks like
The caseworker looks for independent medical evidence of the care you need, evidence that the care is not available or affordable in your home country, and evidence of your sponsor’s finances and accommodation. A GP letter or hospital report, evidence about local health and social care, and the sponsor’s bank statements and payslips are typical. General statements that care is better in the UK do not meet the test. The application is made online with Appendix 1.
Fee and length of stay
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application fee, from outside the UK | £3,635 |
| Sponsor is British, Irish or settled | Permission is unlimited: no need to extend or settle |
| Sponsor has pre-settled or protection status | Permission matches theirs, and you must apply again when they do |
| Decision | Usually within 12 weeks from outside the UK, and 8 weeks for an extension from inside |
You may also have to pay the immigration health surcharge. See the full fees page.
Refusals and appeals
Applications are often refused because the evidence shows care is better in the UK, rather than that it is unavailable at home. A refusal usually carries a right of appeal on human rights grounds, which must be brought within 14 days from inside the UK or 28 days from outside. See immigration appeals. Take advice before applying, as a refusal affects a later application.
How we help
We assess whether the facts can meet the test, commission the right medical and country evidence, and prepare the application or the Notice of Appeal. A consultation costs from £99.
