Living in the UK without family around can be really lonely as it is everyone’s desire to share their lives and moments with family. Hence, the adult relative dependent visa could be the solution that you need to cross that geographical barrier.
The adult relative dependent visa is a category under the UK family visa route that allows British citizens or those with permanent residency status in the UK to bring an adult relative who needs constant care and support to the UK to live with them.
The visa is quite strict as the immigration authorities try to ensure that it is only those who genuinely require assistance (i.e. they demonstrate physical, emotional or financial dependency on the sponsor) that are granted entry.
It is important to understand everything about this visa, the rules surrounding it, eligibility requirements, your responsibilities under this visa, and how to apply.
Everything You Need to Know About the UK Adult Dependent Visa for Parents
If you have a relative in your home country who is disabled, too old or unwell, you can bring them to live with you in the UK through the UK adult dependent visa. However, you must be willing to prove that you cannot secure adequate care for them in your home country, and that they rely totally on you for physical upkeep.
To prove validity of the relationship, applicants must be related to you by blood, i.e., they must be your sibling, parents, grandparents, or children (who are either 18 years old or above). The most common applicants for this visa type are parents and grandparents, hence, it is easily assumed that other relatives such as siblings do not qualify.
However, siblings qualify if they meet the strict criteria of this visa. Because they cannot prove old age, they can opt for proving that they need long-term care because of illness or disability.
The concept of dependency under the UK’s Adult Dependent Relative Visa refers to where a family member who is 18 years and above requires ongoing care and support from a relative who is settled in the UK or is a UK citizen.
Some care activities that they will require include daily tasks such as cooking, dressing, washing, dressing wounds (if they are injured), administering medicines (if they are on prescribed medication), etc.
They also need to prove that they are financially dependent on the UK-based relative for adequate accommodation and maintenance, and that the relative’s presence in their lives will improve their emotional well-being.
Eligibility Requirements for the Adult Relative Dependent Visa in the UK
To qualify for the UK Adult Relative Dependent Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
They must have reached legal adult age which is 18 years or above in the UK.
There must be a consanguineous relationship, i.e., the applicant must be a sister, a parent, grandparent, brother or adult child. Extended family members are not allowed to apply.
They must be applying from outside the UK.
The sponsor must either be a citizen or hold permanent residency status in the UK.
The sponsor must prove that they have enough funds to support the applicant financially without relying on public funds.
The sponsor must also prove that they can consistently provide other forms of support to the applicant for at least 5 years from when they enter the UK.
Sponsorship Responsibilities for the Adult Relative Dependent Visa in the UK
After the adult relative enters the UK, the sponsoring relative has certain responsibilities they must perform during their stay.
They must have enough income or savings for the dependent relative’s day-to-day living expenses.
The accommodation they provide must meet the UK housing standards which means it must be exclusively owned or occupied by the sponsoring relative, must not violate public health standards and must not be overcrowded.
The sponsoring relative must sign a maintenance undertaking that they will be solely responsible for the applicant’s well-being without relying on public funds.
They must prove their relationship with the applicant.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an Adult Relative Dependent Visa for the UK
Before you begin your application, it is necessary to gather all the documents you need to apply for this visa which are:
- Passport(s)
- Birth or adoption certificates(s)
- Detailed medical report from a medical professional that can serve as evidence for the need for long-term personal care.
- Letters from care providers or local authorities explaining why adequate care could not be secured in your home country.
- Bank statements, payslips, tax returns, etc as proof of funds.
- Tenancy agreement or proof of home ownership to satisfy accommodation requirements.
- ILR letter, passport, etc to prove UK immigration status (for the sponsoring relative).
When you’ve gathered your documents, you can go to the UK government’s website to fill out the application form.
Accurately upload all required documents.
Pay the application fee.
Schedule and attend the biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre.
Submit your application.
Top Considerations and Potential Challenges for the UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa
According to Home Office data, the UK adult dependent relative visa has a high refusal rate with over 96% applications being refused between 2017 and 2020. This should not discourage you as you can gain a visa approval if you prepare meticulously and present strong evidence.
Both the applicant and the sponsor bear the burden to provide compelling proofs for certain claims that they make in their application. When trying to prove that the applicant needs ‘adequate care’, it is important to show that they require assistance to perform everyday tasks like washing, bathing, cooking, dressing and even moving around.
For the sponsoring relative, this is not an easy feat as you have to consistently fend for the applicant for at least five years. If you do not have a high-paying job, some savings or support from a spouse, it can be financially tasking as you cannot rely on public funds.
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