Bring Your Elderly Parentsto the UK
Expert guidance on Adult Dependent Relative visas for elderly parents needing long-term care in the UK.
Less than 4% approval rate. This is one of the most restrictive UK visa categories. Professional legal assistance is essential for success.
*Success rates based on properly prepared cases. UKVI makes final decisions on all applications.
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What is an Elderly Dependent Visa?
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa allows you to bring elderly parents or grandparents to the UK if they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and cannot receive adequate care in their home country.
For Elderly Parents
Designed for parents aged 65+ or those with serious medical conditions requiring long-term personal care from a UK-based family member.
No Expiry Date
Unlike most UK visas, the ADR visa has no set expiry date as long as care needs continue and conditions are met.
Extremely Restrictive
With less than 4% success rate, this is one of the most difficult UK visas to obtain. Professional legal help is essential.
Why the Low Success Rate?
From 2017-2020, only 35 out of 908 ADR visa applications were approved at first stage (less than 4%). The main reasons for refusal are:
- Failure to prove care is unavailable or unaffordable in home country
- Insufficient evidence of long-term care needs
- Inadequate financial resources to support the dependent
Who Can Apply?
Your parent is over 18 (typically 65+ for elderly dependent category)
They cannot perform daily tasks due to age, illness, or disability
Required care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country
You (sponsor) are a British citizen, settled person, or have pre-settled status
You can support them financially for at least 5 years without public funds
You have adequate accommodation that meets UK standards
What the Visa Allows
Live in the UK with no expiry date (as long as care needs continue)
Receive long-term personal care from family in the UK
Access NHS healthcare services
Potential pathway to permanent settlement
Not allowed: Work or claim public funds
No English requirement: Unlike most visas, no language test needed
Elderly Dependent Visa Requirements
To qualify for an Adult Dependent Relative visa, both you and your elderly parent must meet strict criteria. These are among the most stringent requirements in UK immigration law.
Dependent's Requirements
Your parent must demonstrate:
- Over 18 years old (typically 65+ for elderly category)
- Cannot perform daily tasks due to age, illness, or disability
- Requires long-term personal care (not medical treatment)
- Care is unavailable in home country
- Care is unaffordable in home country (even with UK financial support)
- Direct blood relative of UK sponsor
Critical Requirement
The "unavailable or unaffordable care" requirement is the most common reason for refusal. You must prove that even with financial support from the UK, adequate care cannot be obtained in the home country.
Sponsor's Requirements
As the UK sponsor, you must meet the following conditions:
Immigration status:
- British or Irish citizen, or
- Permanent residence (settled status), or
- Pre-settled status (EU Settlement Scheme before Jan 2021), or
- Refugee or humanitarian protection status
Financial and accommodation:
- Able to support parent for at least 5 years
- Without using public funds
- Provide adequate, non-overcrowded accommodation
- Able to provide necessary personal care
Financial Requirements
You must prove you can financially support your parent for at least 5 years without public funds.
Required evidence:
- 6 months bank statements
- Payslips (if employed)
- Tax returns (if self-employed)
- Employment contract or proof of ongoing income
- Savings statements (if applicable)
No Set Minimum Income
Unlike spouse visas, there's no specific minimum income threshold. However, you must convincingly demonstrate the ability to adequately maintain and accommodate your parent without public funds.
Accommodation Requirement
You must provide adequate accommodation that is not overcrowded and meets UK housing standards.
Requirements:
- Owned or rented by you or your partner
- Not overcrowded according to UK standards
- Meets public health standards
- Suitable for elderly person's care needs
- Floor plan showing room sizes and layout
Required Documentation
Property ownership documents, tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, floor plan, and potentially a housing inspection report (£80-120).
Required Documents
A comprehensive and well-organized document package is critical for this complex application. Here's what you'll need for your elderly dependent visa.
Parent's Identity Documents
- Valid passport or travel document
- Full birth certificate
- Previous visa pages and entry stamps
- National ID card (if applicable)
- Biometric residence card (if held)
Medical Evidence
- Detailed medical reports
- Doctor's letter explaining care needs
- Evidence of disabilities or conditions
- Care assessment report
- TB test results (if required)
Care Availability Evidence
- Evidence care unavailable locally
- Quotes from care facilities
- Evidence of costs in home country
- Proof care is unaffordable
- Social welfare reports
Sponsor's Financial Documents
- 6 months bank statements
- 6 months payslips (if employed)
- Employment contract or letter
- Tax returns (if self-employed)
- Savings account statements
Accommodation Evidence
- Property ownership documents, or
- Tenancy agreement, or
- Mortgage statement
- Detailed floor plan
- Housing inspection report (if required)
Sponsor's Status Documents
- British passport or citizenship certificate
- Biometric residence permit (if settled)
- Birth certificate
- Proof of relationship to parent
Critical: Document Quality
Given the extremely low success rate (less than 4%), the quality and comprehensiveness of your documentation is absolutely critical. Missing documents, incorrect formatting, or insufficient evidence are common reasons for refusal. Professional legal assistance is strongly recommended.
Application Process
Follow this step-by-step guide for your elderly dependent visa application. Professional assistance is strongly recommended due to the complexity and low success rate.
Initial Assessment
Book a consultation with immigration specialists to assess eligibility. Given the less than 4% success rate, professional evaluation is essential. We'll review your parent's care needs, available care in their home country, your financial position, and accommodation.
Gather Medical Evidence
Obtain comprehensive medical reports detailing your parent's care needs. This must clearly demonstrate they cannot perform daily tasks independently due to age, illness, or disability, and require long-term personal care (not just medical treatment).
Prove Care Unavailability
This is the most critical and difficult requirement. You must provide compelling evidence that required care is either unavailable or unaffordable in your parent's home country, even with financial support from the UK. This typically requires detailed research, quotes from care facilities, and social welfare assessments.
Prepare Financial Evidence
Compile 6 months of financial documents proving you can support your parent for at least 5 years without public funds. Include bank statements, payslips, employment contracts, and property documents. Ensure your accommodation meets requirements with a floor plan showing adequate space.
Complete Application Form
Complete form VAF4A Appendix 1 online. This requires detailed information about both you and your parent, including immigration history, financial details, and comprehensive information about care needs and accommodation arrangements.
Pay Fees and Submit
Pay the settlement application fee (£3,413 from outside the UK or £1,321 if eligible to switch inside the UK). No Immigration Health Surcharge is payable for this route. Submit your application and book the biometric appointment, ensuring all documents are translated and certified as required.
Attend Biometric Appointment
Your parent attends the visa application center to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) and submit supporting documents. Bring all original documents, translations, and the appointment confirmation.
Wait for Decision
Standard processing takes up to 12 weeks. The Home Office may request additional information or conduct interviews. Be prepared to provide further evidence if requested. Given the low success rate, be ready to appeal if necessary.
Important: High Refusal Rate
With less than 4% of applications approved at first stage, professional legal representation is essential. Our specialists have experience navigating these complex requirements and can significantly improve your chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about elderly dependent visas. Can't find what you're looking for? Our specialists are here to help.
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