According to UK government figures, approximately 120,000 immigrants are granted permanent residence each year, and 200,000 are granted citizenship. As such a person, you may be tempted to bring your parents to join you in the country, especially if they need your care. An Adult Relative Dependent Visa is required to legally enter the country.
As with all UK visas, obtaining this dependent visa can be challenging. It is best to seek assistance from an immigration attorney or consultant to understand whether your parents are eligible and to guide you through the application process.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa Definition
This is an essential visa if you are a British citizen or have settled status in the UK and would like to have adult relatives join you. This can include adult children, siblings, parents or grandparents. With this visa, you can bring your foreign parent into the country indefinitely as long as you continue to be a citizen or have special status.
Other situations where this visa may apply is if you have valid refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, have limited leave to remain under the EU Annex, or are from the EU or European Economic Area and have pre-settled status. You must have started living in the UK before January 2021 for this to apply.
The remainder of this article discusses the visa eligibility requirements, how to apply, and the documents you need to prepare.
Eligibility requirements
The requirements that apply to you as a guarantor have been resolved. However, your relative applying for a visa must also meet a number of requirements. This includes the following:
- They currently live outside the UK.
- Your relative needs long-term care in their daily life. This may be due to their age, disability or illness.
- They are unable to get appropriate care where they currently live, either because it is too expensive or because there are no family members available to manage it.
income requirements
In addition to these basic requirements, you can also sponsor your dependents to come to the UK if you meet the sponsor’s UK income threshold for the Adult Relative Dependent Visa. This requirement ensures that your relative’s accommodation, living expenses and care costs are funded without the need for state aid.
The exact income requirements for bringing dependents to the UK will depend on their circumstances. To calculate your weekly income requirement you will need to add the following based on Citizens Advice:
- It is £77 for an adult family member over 25 and £61.05 for an adult family member under 25.
- This is £77 if you are single or £121.05 if you live with a partner.
- The cost of your current home plus council tax, or the cost of a new home if your dependents live in a different location than you.
Please note that when calculating housing costs you may not deduct any state support you currently receive for accommodation. This includes housing benefit, the housing element of Universal Credit and council tax relief.
Apply for a visa for your adult dependent relative
Adult dependent relative visas must usually be submitted by your relative from outside the UK. They will need to complete Appendix 1 (Form VAF4A) and collect a series of supporting documents demonstrating that they meet the visa requirements.
To submit an application, you or your dependent relative must pay an application fee of £3,250. However, if your relative is able to apply from within the UK, the fee is lower at £1,048. Once you submit your application, you usually have to wait approximately 12 weeks for it to be processed. However, if there are problems with your application or the Home Office is experiencing a backlog, processing times may be significantly longer.
needed file
Any UK visa application needs to be supported by adequate supporting documentation. The exact documentation required will vary slightly depending on your and your relative’s circumstances. However, the standard documentation includes the following:
- Proof that you meet financial requirements, such as a bank statement.
- Demonstrate that you will look after your relative’s support needs, for example through a care plan.
- A signed undertaking stating that you will look after the maintenance, accommodation and care of your relative without state support.
- A doctor’s letter or document issued by a health authority explaining why your relative cannot receive care in their home country. Such documentation is also needed to prove that your relative has a chronic illness or disability that requires specialized care.
- Evidence of your family relationship, such as a birth or adoption certificate.
- If your relative comes from a country with a high risk of TB and has tested negative for TB.
- Passport or travel ID.
- Details about past criminal behavior, such as criminal records.
Any documents you submit will need to be translated into English or Welsh. If your relative’s documents are in a different language, you must obtain certified translated copies.
Start a new life in the UK on an adult relative visa
The UK Adult Relative Dependent Visa is the best way to bring your dependent relatives into the country permanently. It will allow you to ensure that they receive appropriate care and are able to have the best quality of life.
All UK visas require you to complete a challenging application process to prove that the applicant is eligible. This visa is more difficult, as this guide to adult dependents shows. You will also need to demonstrate why you are a qualified sponsor. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to work with an immigration attorney or consultant who can help you complete your application and guide you on next steps if your application is denied.
