Adult Dependent Relative visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Family
What it is
For an adult who needs long-term personal care to join a close relative settled in the UK, when adequate care is not available or affordable in their home country. Notoriously hard to qualify for.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- Indefinite leave to remain granted on entry (if sponsor is settled)
- Processing time
- 8–12 weeks
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Age
- 18 or over
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (standard - apply outside the UK)
- GBP 3,635
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Application fee (relative has temporary protection status - apply outside…)
- GBP 452
- Application fee (extend - apply inside the UK (any relative status))
- GBP 1,407
Key requirements
- UK-based relative is British, settled, or has protection status
- Need long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks
- Required care is unavailable or unaffordable in your country
- UK relative can support, accommodate and care for you for 5 years
- Medical and country-specific evidence of care needs
- No recourse to public funds
Working on this visa
What you can do in the UK You can: work study
Money you must show
They must have enough money to support you without relying…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.