Overview (What is Form VAF4A Appendix 1?)
#GOV.UK currently publishes the June 2023 edition. The applicant completes the main application plus Appendix 1 when the relevant route instructions require it. Many current Appendix FM child applications are completed entirely through the online form, so check the child route page before downloading this appendix.
Context and workflow
#Use this form outside the UK only. It collects personal circumstances, sponsor/accommodation/support details and route-specific information that supplements the main VAF4A/online family visa application.
Who uses it
Applicants outside the UK in the specific categories listed by GOV.UK: Adult Dependent Relatives; certain children of British/settled persons or qualifying parents/relatives; children of a non-parent relative with protection status; and specified adoption/child-coming-for-adoption cases.
When it is used
- Adult Dependent Relative application from outside the UK
- Specified child settlement/permission routes where GOV.UK directs both the main online/VAF4A application and Appendix 1
- Specified adoption or child-coming-for-adoption application
- Not for a standard spouse/partner application unless GOV.UK specifically directs otherwise
What it asks for (What does Form VAF4A Appendix 1 ask for?)
#- Applicant personal circumstances, current care and living arrangements
- Sponsor identity, UK status, address and relationship
- Sponsor’s support for other people and financial contribution to the applicant
- Proposed UK accommodation, ownership/occupancy and household details
- Applicant income, savings and access to public funds
- Adult care needs or child/adoption circumstances for the selected route
- Applicant declaration and signature
What you need (What do you need for Form VAF4A Appendix 1?)
#- Current June 2023 VAF4A Appendix 1
- Completed main online/VAF4A family visa application
- Identity and civil-status records for applicant and sponsor
- Evidence of qualifying relationship and route
- Accommodation ownership/tenancy, overcrowding and household evidence
- Financial/maintenance evidence required by the applicable immigration rules
- SU07 Sponsorship Undertaking for an Adult Dependent Relative where required
- TB certificate if the applicant and route/location require one
- Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh
Evidence checklist
#- Main family visa application
- VAF4A Appendix 1 where directed
- Identity and relationship evidence
- Route-specific child/adoption or ADR evidence
- Maintenance and accommodation evidence
- SU07 where required
- TB certificate where required
- Translations
Checklist (What is the Form VAF4A Appendix 1 checklist?)
#- Confirm the exact child, adoption or Adult Dependent Relative route
- Follow the current GOV.UK online application instructions
- Download the current Appendix 1 edition only if the route requires it
- Complete every applicable section in English and mark non-applicable items clearly
- Make sponsor, accommodation, care and finance answers match the evidence
- Include SU07 for the Adult Dependent Relative route where required
- Submit Appendix 1 with—not separately from—the main application
Fees
#No separate Appendix 1 fee; underlying visa fees apply.
Where to file
#Submit outside the UK as part of the main family visa application, following the upload/appointment instructions generated by the online application. Do not send Appendix 1 as a standalone application.
Submit application
Complete the main online/VAF4A application, then provide Appendix 1 and evidence through the instructed visa application centre or upload process.
The submission channel and processing centre depend on the underlying route and country.
Form sections (What sections does Form VAF4A Appendix 1 have?)
#Part 1 — Personal circumstances
Applicant identity, current country, living arrangements, support and immigration circumstances.
Sponsor and accommodation
Sponsor identity/status, UK property, occupants and proposed living arrangements.
Route-specific child or ADR information
Child/adoption facts or Adult Dependent Relative care, finance and support details.
Declaration
Applicant confirmation, signature and date.
Common mistakes (What mistakes are common with Form VAF4A Appendix 1?)
#- Using Appendix 1 for a spouse/partner route that uses a different online form
- Treating Appendix 1 as the visa application itself
- Using the form inside the UK
- Missing SU07 in an Adult Dependent Relative case
- Providing generic finances instead of the adequate-maintenance/accommodation evidence required by the route
- Leaving sponsor-supported-person or accommodation questions incomplete
Examples (What are examples for Form VAF4A Appendix 1?)
#- An Adult Dependent Relative applicant completes the care/support sections and includes the sponsor’s signed SU07.
- A child of a British/settled parent uses Appendix 1 only after the GOV.UK child page directs both the online application and paper appendix.
- An adopted child case supplies the adoption and sponsor evidence required for that route.
- A spouse applicant follows the standard partner online route instead of incorrectly attaching VAF4A Appendix 1.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form VAF4A Appendix 1?)
#- VAF4A Appendix 1 is not a general spouse visa form.
- The appendix does not create a visa application or immigration status by itself.
- There is no separate fee or processing time for the appendix; the underlying visa controls both.
- SU07 is a sponsorship undertaking used for the Adult Dependent Relative context, not a substitute for the main application.
- Biometrics belong to the underlying visa process, not this paper appendix itself.
- VAF4A APPENDIX 1 has no separate filing fee, but it is not optional paperwork — failing to include it when required can delay or jeopardize the underlying case.
In-depth guidance
#Confirm the child route before using the appendix
The current GOV.UK child page distinguishes cases that use the Appendix FM online form from cases requiring the online application plus Appendix 1. Follow that routing instead of assuming every child case needs the PDF.
Adult Dependent Relative evidence
ADR applications turn on long-term personal care needs, availability/affordability of care in the home country and adequate maintenance/accommodation without public funds. Make the form answers match medical, care, sponsor and financial records.
VAF4A Appendix 1 self-audit
#- Applicant is outside the UK
- Route appears on current GOV.UK list
- Main visa application completed
- Current June 2023 appendix used
- Sponsor and accommodation details complete
- Child/adoption or ADR sections match the selected route
- SU07 included where required
- Evidence and translations included
- Appendix submitted with—not separately from—main application
Verification
#Reviewed against the live GOV.UK VAF4A Appendix 1 publication, June 2023 PDF, family child route and Adult Dependent Relative route on 23 July 2026.
Resources
#Free United Kingdom planning tools
#United Kingdom cost calculator
Itemize the government fees that go alongside Form VAF4A Appendix 1.
United Kingdom eligibility checker
See which United Kingdom visas your profile fits before you finalize Form VAF4A Appendix 1.
United Kingdom processing times
Get the typical wait time for the visa associated with Form VAF4A Appendix 1.
United Kingdom interview practice
Practice United Kingdom interview questions if your filing route includes one.