Adult dependent relative applications are for families who need to bring an elderly parent or other adult relative to the UK because they require long-term personal care. The route is evidence-heavy, so the UK-based sponsor must be ready to prove care needs, affordability, accommodation and support.
Previously known as the Adult Dependent Relative route.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-14.
TL;DR
The Adult Dependent Visa lets an adult relative join a British, Irish, settled or otherwise qualifying family member in the UK where they need long-term care for everyday tasks. The headline 2026 application fee is £3,635 from outside the UK for most sponsors, the stay may be unlimited where the sponsor is British, Irish or settled, and the usual decision time is 12 weeks outside the UK.
£3,635
Application fee (most overseas cases)
Unlimited
Stay with settled sponsor
12 weeks
Typical decision (outside UK)
What is the Adult Dependent Visa?
An Adult Dependent Visa is the family immigration route for an adult relative who needs long-term care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter living permanently in the UK. The applicant must normally apply from outside the UK unless they are extending existing permission on this route.
The UK sponsor must be British, Irish, settled in the UK, hold eligible pre-settled status, or have protection status. For families and professional representatives, the key challenge is usually evidential: the application must show not only that care is needed, but that the required care is not available or affordable in the applicant’s country of residence.
Where the sponsor is British, Irish or settled, successful applicants can be granted permission without a time limit and do not need to apply separately for settlement. Where the sponsor has temporary qualifying status, the applicant’s stay normally follows the sponsor’s permission and may require later extension or settlement planning.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Adult Dependent Visa.
📄
Long-Term Care Need
The applicant must show they need long-term care to perform everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or age. Medical, care and practical evidence should be consistent and detailed.
💼
Qualifying UK Relative
The UK relative must be a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter and must have qualifying status in the UK. The sponsor also needs to show they can accommodate and care for the applicant without relying on public funds.
£
Care Not Available Abroad
The application must show the required care is not available or affordable in the country where the applicant lives. This is often the most sensitive part of the evidence because UKVI will look closely at realistic local care options and family support abroad.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Adult Dependent Visa.
✓ You Can
- Join a close adult relative in the UK where the care test is met.
- Receive long-term family care from the UK-based sponsor.
- Stay without a time limit if the sponsor is British, Irish or settled.
- Extend or settle later if your stay follows a sponsor with temporary qualifying permission.
- Use family evidence to show accommodation, support and care arrangements.
✗ You Cannot
- Apply from inside the UK unless extending this route.
- Rely on ordinary preference to live with family; the long-term care test must be met.
- Use public funds as the basis for sponsor support.
- Assume local care is unsuitable without evidence that care is unavailable or unaffordable.
- Switch from most short-term routes unless the Immigration Rules allow it.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Overseas application | £3,635 |
| In-country extension | £1,407 |
| Protection-status sponsor | From £452 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Route dependent |
| Priority services | check current fees |
How to Apply
Five steps from preparation to decision.
Check the Sponsor’s Status
Confirm the UK relative has qualifying status and is an eligible close relative for this route.
Evidence the Care Need
Prepare medical, care, daily-living and country evidence showing why long-term care is required and why suitable care abroad is not available or affordable.
Prove Support in the UK
Show accommodation, finances and care arrangements in the UK without relying on public funds.
Submit the Online Application
Apply online from outside the UK unless extending existing adult dependent relative permission.
Receive Your Decision
GOV.UK states that overseas applications usually take 12 weeks and in-country applications usually take 8 weeks.
Speak to Our Team Today
Fill in the form and an immigration specialist will be in touch within one business day.
Request a Consultation
Tell us about your case
Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Adult Dependent Visa from employers and applicants.
What is the Adult Dependent Visa UK?
The Adult Dependent Visa is the route for an adult relative who needs long-term care from a close family member living permanently in the UK. It is commonly used for elderly parents or adult relatives with serious care needs.
Who can sponsor an adult dependent relative?
The sponsor must be a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter living in the UK with qualifying status. This includes British or Irish citizens, people settled in the UK, eligible pre-settled status holders and some people with protection status.
How much does an Adult Dependent Visa cost in 2026?
For most overseas applications, the 2026 Home Office fee is £3,635. If the UK relative has protection status, GOV.UK lists a lower overseas fee of £452, while in-country applications are listed at £1,407.
Can I apply for an Adult Dependent Visa inside the UK?
GOV.UK states that adult dependent relatives can only apply from outside the UK unless they are applying to extend this visa. Most applicants should therefore plan an overseas application.
What care evidence is needed?
The applicant must prove they need long-term care for everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or age. Evidence often includes medical reports, care assessments, details of daily needs and evidence about care options abroad.
Does an Adult Dependent Visa lead to settlement?
If the UK relative is British, Irish or settled, the applicant’s stay is unlimited and they do not need to apply separately to extend or settle. If the sponsor has temporary qualifying status, the applicant may need to extend or settle when the sponsor does.
Can an elderly parent apply to join a child in the UK?
Yes, but only if the strict adult dependent relative requirements are met. The parent must need long-term care and must show that suitable care is not available or affordable where they live.
Can the UK sponsor rely on public funds?
The sponsor must show they can accommodate and care for the applicant without relying on public funds. UKVI considers income, housing costs and care costs when assessing the application.
How long does an Adult Dependent Visa take?
GOV.UK states that applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within 12 weeks. In-country extension applications usually take 8 weeks.
Is the Adult Dependent Visa difficult to obtain?
It is a demanding evidence-based route because the applicant must prove both the long-term care need and the lack of available or affordable care abroad. Careful document preparation is usually central to the application.
Need Help With Your Adult Dependent Visa?
Our immigration specialists handle everything from sponsor licence checks to visa approval — for employers and applicants alike.