Adult Dependent Relative Visa — United Kingdom

You must submit clear evidence of your long-term care needs and your sponsor’s ability to support you in the UK without public funds. UKVI will look at whether you require personal care and whether your UK-based relative can accommodate and maintain you.

Evidence of care needs

You must prove that you need long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks. Focus on medical or practical evidence that shows why you cannot manage daily activities independently.

Provide documents such as:

• Detailed medical reports explaining your condition and care requirements
• Letters from treating doctors or healthcare professionals
• Evidence showing the level of assistance you require for daily tasks
• Any formal care assessments, if available

The documents should clearly describe the type of care you need and why it is necessary. Avoid vague statements.

If you are required to submit a tuberculosis (TB) certificate, include it before you submit your main application. Where applicable, ensure required forms such as Form SU07 and Form VAF4A Appendix 1 are completed accurately and included.

Sponsor proof for dependent relative visa

Your UK-based sponsor must show they can accommodate and maintain you without relying on public funds. UKVI will review their financial and housing position carefully.

Your sponsor should provide:

• Recent bank statements
• Evidence of income
• Proof of UK residence (for example, a utility bill, bank statement, or council letter)
• Documents confirming available accommodation

Use the table below to organise key sponsor evidence:

Do not include unnecessary personal data such as credit card details. If your sponsor previously applied under routes such as the Spouse or Partner Visa, Parent Visa, Child Visa, or UK Ancestry Visa, that history does not replace the need to prove current financial capacity.

Other supporting documents

You must include documents that confirm your identity and relationship to your sponsor. These help UKVI verify the basis of your application.

Prepare:

• A valid passport
• Evidence of your relationship to the sponsor
• Completed application forms, including VAF4A Appendix 1
• Any required declarations, such as SU07, where applicable

Ensure all documents are consistent in names, dates, and personal details. If your sponsor holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), include proof of that status.

Submit clear copies and keep originals available if requested. UKVI makes decisions based on the documents you provide, so incomplete evidence can lead to refusal.

You must budget for a high application fee and plan for a processing period that can extend for several months. UKVI sets the fees and publishes current processing estimates.

Application fees

The Adult Dependent Relative visa application fee is £4,233 (as of February 2026). This fee applies to the main applicant.

You should confirm the exact amount before you submit because UKVI can change fees without notice.

If you submit your application using Form VAF4A Appendix 1, ensure you complete the correct category. Errors can delay processing or lead to refusal.

Do not rely on fee amounts listed for other routes such as the Spouse or Partner Visa, Parent Visa, Child Visa, or UK Ancestry Visa. Each category has its own fee structure.

Typical processing windows

processing times depend on the visa category and where you apply. For reference, applications submitted under VAF4A Appendix 1 in the Partner or Spouse category take approximately 12 weeks (as of February 2026).

Processing times vary by location and workload. An application using Form SU07 under the Skilled Worker route takes around 3 weeks (as of February 2026).

This shorter timeline does not apply to Adult Dependent Relative cases, but it shows how processing differs by route.

UKVI may take longer if it requests additional evidence or conducts further checks. You should not book travel until UKVI makes a decision.

Check current times with UKVI

UKVI publishes updated processing estimates by visa category and country of application.

Before you apply, you should:

• Confirm the current Adult Dependent Relative processing time
• Check whether your application uses VAF4A Appendix 1
• Review the latest fee listed for your category

Processing times for other routes, such as applications leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), do not apply to entry clearance under the Adult Dependent Relative route.

Always verify current figures directly with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before submitting your application.

Your Adult Dependent Relative visa can lead to settlement in the UK if you continue to meet the immigration rules and apply at the correct time. You must maintain lawful status and comply with all conditions set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Next steps after this visa

You need to keep track of your visa expiry date and apply for an extension, if eligible, before it runs out. Overstaying can impact future applications, including Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

When preparing your next application, check that you still meet the dependency requirements. Update your evidence of long‑term personal care needs.

Confirm your UK-based sponsor continues to support and accommodate you. Make sure you use the correct UKVI form and pay the fee listed by UKVI.

UKVI decides all extension and settlement applications. UK Border Force only checks your permission at the border.

If your family circumstances change, you may need to consider a different immigration route. The table below outlines how this visa compares with other family options.

Each route has its own rules and forms. Some family applications require forms like Form VAF4A Appendix 1 or declarations such as Form SU07, depending on your category.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) lets you live in the UK with no time limit. You must apply to UKVI and meet the eligibility rules in place when you apply.

You’ll need to show you’ve completed the required lawful residence period under this visa. You must still meet the dependency criteria.

Your sponsor must continue to provide maintenance and accommodation. You also need to comply with all immigration conditions.

UKVI sets out the current eligibility rules, forms, and fees. Check those details before applying.

ILR removes time restrictions, unlike temporary visas. It gives you a stronger position compared to temporary family routes before settlement.

Submit a full application with supporting evidence. Missing or inconsistent evidence can delay a decision or result in refusal.

You must get approval from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before traveling to the UK. The process involves an online application, the correct appendix form, and consistent supporting evidence.

Start online and complete Appendix 1

Begin your application online through UKVI under the Adult Dependent Relative category. Select the correct route, especially if your sponsor holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a Spouse or Partner Visa, a Parent Visa, a Child Visa, or a UK Ancestry Visa.

Complete Form VAF4A Appendix 1 as part of your application. Download the current version and guidance from UKVI before you start.

Steps:

1. Create and fill out your online application.

2. Download and complete VAF4A Appendix 1.

3. Review the guidance for your eligibility category.

4. Sign and date all required sections.

5. Submit the form with your supporting documents.

Unsigned or incomplete forms are returned. UKVI won’t process an application missing required sections or signatures.

Prepare and submit evidence

Gather documents to support every statement in your application. Your evidence must match the information in the online form and Appendix 1.

Submit all required documents together. Don’t file supplementary forms, such as Form SU07 if required, separately from the main application.

Checklist:

Inconsistent names, missing pages, or unmatched dates can lead to delays or rejection. Double-check every detail before submission.

Form completion tips

Answer each question fully and accurately. Don’t leave required fields blank.

Match personal details across the online application, VAF4A Appendix 1, and supporting documents. Use the same spelling, date format, and order of names everywhere.

Before submitting, review UKVI instructions for the Adult Dependent Relative route. Make sure you’ve selected the correct category and included all required supplements.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) examines whether your family relationship is genuine and whether you meet the strict care and financial requirements. Refusals often happen because applicants don’t prove dependency, long-term care needs, or proper documentation.

Common reasons for refusal

UKVI refuses many Adult Dependent Relative applications when you don’t prove you need long-term personal care or that care isn’t available or affordable in your country.

You must show both parts. If you only prove illness but not the lack of care options, UKVI will refuse the application.

Another common issue is failure to show your UK-based relative can accommodate and financially support you without public funds. Limited financial documents or unclear housing evidence can lead UKVI to decide the sponsor doesn’t meet the requirement.

Missing relationship documents also cause refusals. This includes civil documents that don’t match your application, incomplete forms such as Form VAF4A Appendix 1, or missing supporting documents referenced in Form SU07 guidance.

This route requires strict proof of personal care dependency. UKVI applies the rules narrowly.

How to avoid evidence gaps

Submit a complete and consistent evidence bundle. Every statement in your forms should match your civil documents exactly.

Focus on these areas:

• Medical or care evidence showing you need long-term personal care
• Proof that care is unavailable or unaffordable in your country
• Sponsor financial documents showing ability to support and house you
• Complete and accurate forms, including VAF4A Appendix 1 if required

Don’t expect UKVI to request missing documents. They often decide based only on what you provide.

Even if your sponsor holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or status under another route like the UK Ancestry Visa, you must still prove accommodation and financial support. Status alone isn’t enough for the maintenance requirement.

Check all names, birth dates, and relationship details across passports, certificates, and application forms. Small inconsistencies can create credibility concerns and disrupt your case.