particularly those who are elderly or suffering from illness or disability, requiring long-term personal care. This visa route is intended for parents, grandparents, and other close relatives who need care that can only be provided by their family members in the UK. Applications for this visa are made according to the criteria outlined in Appendix Adult Dependent Relative of the UK Immigration Rules. According to these rules, the ADR visa is for individuals aged 18 or older who have a relative in the UK (a British citizen, someone settled in the UK, someone with protection status, or an eligible EEA national with permission under Appendix EU) who can financially support and care for them without relying on public funds. The applicant must demonstrate that they require long- term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and that such care is either unavailable or unaffordable in their home country. If a couple is applying and only one partner requires care, they both can be considered for this visa. Those granted an ADR visa will receive settlement if their sponsor is already settled in the UK or is a British citizen. In other cases, they are given temporary permission to stay, matching the duration of their sponsor's temporary permission. After arriving in the UK, they can apply for settlement or extend their stay, depending on their sponsor's status.

Free Immigration Advice for ADR Visa

Our team of expert immigration solicitors offers free one-time online consultations regarding your application for an Adult Dependent Relative visa in the UK. You can ask questions online for free or book an appointment for a detailed consultation with one of our immigration solicitors.

Expert Legal Services for ADR Visa

Our specialized team of family visa solicitors provides expert legal advice and representation for ADR visa applications on a fixed-fee basis. We have successfully assisted many clients with their ADR visa applications, both from within and outside the UK. Our services are fast, reliable, and provided at a fixed fee.

Entry Clearance for ADR Visa

You can apply for an ADR visa if you need long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability and cannot manage daily tasks independently. Additionally, you must prove that adequate care is not available or affordable in your home country. Successful applicants are granted Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE).

The application for an ADR visa must be made from outside the UK, as switching to this route from within the UK is not permitted. The British citizen or settled person who will be caring for you, known as your sponsor, must complete and sign a sponsor form to confirm their support.

However, in certain circumstances, a discretionary leave application can be submitted from within the UK if you are physically, emotionally, and financially dependent on your settled relative or family member.

Requirements for ADR Visa Entry Clearance

To be granted an ADR visa, applicants must meet several requirements:

1. Outside the UK: The applicant must be outside the UK when applying.

2. Valid Application: The application must be submitted correctly as an ADR visa application.

3. Suitability: The applicant must not be subject to refusal under the suitability grounds outlined in the Immigration Rules.

4. Relationship: The applicant must be:

o A parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child of the UK sponsor.

5. Sponsor Requirements: The sponsor must be:

o 18 years or older,

o A British citizen, settled in the UK, or holding refugee or humanitarian protection status.

6. Need for Care: The applicant must require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.

7. Lack of Care in Home Country: The required care must be unavailable or unaffordable in the applicant's home country, even with the sponsor’s help.

8. Maintenance and Accommodation: Evidence must be provided showing that the sponsor can support the applicant without relying on public funds.

9. Sponsor Undertaking: If the sponsor is a British citizen or settled in the UK, they must confirm they will support the applicant for five years without recourse to public funds.

recourse to public funds

Visa Outcome Based on Sponsor's Status

If the sponsor is a British citizen or settled in the UK and all requirements are met, the applicant will receive Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE). If the sponsor holds refugee or humanitarian protection status, the applicant will be granted limited leave to stay, which will expire when the sponsor’s leave expires.

Article 8 ECHR Eligibility

If an applicant does not meet all the criteria for ILE but a refusal would breach their rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) due to unjustifiably harsh consequences, they may be granted limited leave to enter or remain in the UK for 30 months, under the 10-year route to settlement.

How to Apply for an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa Entry Clearance

If you're looking to apply for an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa from outside the UK, follow these steps:

1. Online Application: Start by completing the online application form for the ADR visa on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

2. Submit the Application: After filling out the form, submit it online, ensuring you pay the required application fee.

3. Biometrics Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a UK visa application centre to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and hand over your passport for processing.

4. Upload Supporting Documents: Before your biometrics appointment, upload all necessary supporting documents in PDF format online to be reviewed as part of your application.

5. Await a Decision: Depending on the service you choose, you will receive a decision within 30 working days if using the Priority Service, or within 60 working days if using the standard service.

Appropriate Work Experience

Processing Time for ADR Visa Entry Clearance

The processing time for an ADR visa application typically takes up to 60 working days under the standard service. However, if you choose the Priority Service, your application will be processed within 30 working days. The Priority Service incurs an additional fee of £500. Processing time begins from the date you submit your biometrics. In some cases, if the application is complex or requires additional information, the processing time may be extended.
Using Priority Service for ADR Visa Entry Clearance
If you need a quicker decision on your ADR visa application, you can opt for the Priority Service. Our team of immigration solicitors can expedite your application using this service, ensuring a decision within 30 working days. The Home Office charges an extra £500 for this faster processing option.
Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) from Inside the UK
Elderly dependent parents and other relatives of British citizens or settled individuals may apply for Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) if they can prove that they are dependent on their UK sponsor beyond normal emotional ties. This human rights application can be made outside of the standard Immigration Rules when it can be shown that removing the applicant from the UK would be a disproportionate interference with their private and family life.

Age

Dependency Beyond Normal Emotional Ties

UK courts recognize that a family life exists between elderly parents or dependent relatives and their UK sponsor when the dependency goes beyond normal emotional ties. Since there is no specific provision within Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules for in-country applications by elderly dependent parents or relatives, such applications must be made outside the Immigration Rules. To prove this dependency, the applicant must demonstrate physical reliance on their sponsor due to age, illness, or disability. Additionally, the applicant’s mental health and need for emotional support from the UK sponsor are critical factors in these applications.
Grant of Discretionary Leave
Successful applicants may be granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) for 30 months under the 10-year Discretionary Leave route.
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)
You may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an Adult Dependent Relative if you have already been granted limited leave to remain in the UK as an ADR, and your sponsor (a refugee or someone with humanitarian protection) has become settled or has applied for ILR.
Requirements for ILR as an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)
To qualify for ILR as an Adult Dependent Relative, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
1. Location: The applicant must be in the UK when applying for ILR.
2. Valid Application: The application must be properly completed and submitted.
3. Suitability: The applicant must not be subject to refusal under the suitability criteria for ILR.
4. Immigration Status: The applicant must have valid leave to remain in the UK as an ADR. If there is a period of overstaying, it may be disregarded under certain circumstances.
5. Sponsor's Status: The sponsor must be settled in the UK, have refugee status, or hold humanitarian protection, or be in the UK with limited leave under Appendix EU and have applied for ILR.
6. Maintenance and Accommodation: Evidence must be provided to show that the applicant can be adequately supported and housed by the sponsor without needing public funds.
7. Sponsor’s Undertaking: The sponsor must sign an undertaking confirming that the applicant will not seek public funds and that the sponsor will take responsibility for the applicant’s care and maintenance for five years from the date of entry to the UK with limited leave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the UK Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa

No, the Home Office UKVI does not offer Priority or Super Priority Service for Adult Dependent Relative visa applications.

The UK Immigration Rules do not allow an initial Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa application to be made from within the UK. However, you may submit an application for Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) from within the UK under the Human Rights provisions, particularly concerning family life as outlined in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Success in an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa application depends on several factors:

The applicant requires long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability.

The applicant is unable to manage daily tasks independently and needs assistance.

There is no one available in the applicant's home country to provide the necessary care. For in-country Discretionary Leave to Remain applications, it’s crucial to demonstrate that the applicant is physically dependent on a settled family member in the UK beyond normal emotional ties and that requiring the applicant to leave the UK would interfere disproportionately with their established family life.

The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa allows elderly or dependent adult family members of British citizens or settled individuals to join them in the UK if they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability that is not available in their home country. This application is governed by the requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

The success rate for Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa applications is generally low. Even when the need for long-term care is established, many applications are denied because the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) may argue that adequate care is available in the applicant's home country.

If your ADR visa application is approved, you will be granted Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as an Adult Dependent Relative, allowing you to join your sponsoring family member in the UK.

If your ADR visa application is refused, you can appeal the decision to the First Tier Tribunal (FTT). An Immigration Judge will review your case to determine whether the ECO's decision to refuse your application was lawful.

Eligible applicants include:
A parent aged 18 or over
A grandparent
A brother or sister aged 18 or over
A son or daughter aged 18 or over The applicant must be related to the UK sponsor, who must meet specific criteria.

A sponsor must be:
18 years or older
A British citizen or settled person in the UK
A refugee or a person with humanitarian protection in the UK
A person with limited leave under Appendix EU (according to paragraph GEN.1.3.(d) of the Immigration Rules)

Long-term personal care is defined as the inability to perform everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, and cooking due to age, illness, or disability. The applicant must not have access to adequate care in their home country, even with support from their UK sponsor.

The sponsor must sign an undertaking confirming that the applicant will not rely on public funds and that the sponsor will be responsible for the applicant’s maintenance, accommodation, and care for five years if they are granted indefinite leave to enter the UK.

No, the UK Immigration Rules do not require applicants for an Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa to pass an English language or Life in the UK test.



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