Reuniting With Your Parents in the UK: How the Adult Relative Dependent Visa Can Help You in 2025?

Are you living in the UK and hoping to bring your elderly parents or other adult relatives to join you? The adult relative dependent visa can allow certain family members to join you in the UK, though the requirements are quite strict.

Find out everything you need to know about bringing your parents to the UK in this article. It carefully explains the eligibility criteria, application procedures and potential challenges you might face along the way.

What Is the Adult Relative Dependent Visa?

The adult relative dependent visa is a type of UK visa created for non-EEA  adult relatives that require long-term care from a family member already living in the UK. This visa category was majorly designed for elderly parents and grandparents but other relatives may qualify under certain circumstances.

Please note that you should only consider this visa pathway if you have an adult relative who genuinely needs care that can’t be received in their home country.

Eligibility Criteria for Bringing Parents to the UK Under the Dependent Visa

The UK’s immigration rules set out criterias that are deliberately strict to ensure applicants provide enough evidence to support their case.

Check the following requirements to see if you are qualified to apply;

1. Age and Relationship Requirement

To qualify for this visa, you must be older than 18 years and related to a British citizen or resident as a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter.

2. Care Requirements

Whoever is applying must be able to prove that they require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks. Whether it’s due to old age, illness, or disability, they must be able to convince the UK Home office that  the required care isn’t available or affordable in their home country.

3. Financial Requirements

The UK sponsor must be financially stable enough to support and accommodate the adult relative without using public funds. Immigration authorities want to be sure you have a stable source of income and you can provide adequate maintenance, accommodation and health care for the relative.

How to Apply for the Adult Relative Dependent Visa in the UK?

Step 1: Complete the Correct Application Form

The correct form for this visa category is VAF4A. You’ll need to fill it for entry clearance as an adult dependent relative. Once completed , submit online through the UK government website and schedule an appointment for your biometric information.

Step 2: Gather Important Documentation

Gather as many documents that can prove and support your case during the application process. You’ll need a valid passport, evidence of your relationship with the applicant, medical test results, bank statement and additional evidence that they can’t receive care in their home country.

Step 3: Pay the Visa Fees and Healthcare Surcharge

Applicants must pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge so they can access quality healthcare when they arrive.

Step 4: Attend a Biometric Appointment

Applicants should go to a visa application center to provide fingerprints and other biometric information that can be used to verify their identity.

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

You can expect a decision within the next 12 to 24 weeks. We recommend beginning the application as early as possible so they can arrive just in time for their healthcare.

What Documents Are Needed to Bring Your Parents to the UK?

• The applicant’s current passport
• Birth certificates 
• Marriage certificates (if married)
• Two passport photographs 
• A detailed medical report from qualified healthcare professionals
• Letter of referral from a local healthcare provider
• Evidence that other family members in the home country cannot provide care
• Bank statements from the last six months
• Tenancy or lease agreements

Please note that all documents must be professionally translated to English or Welsh.

Can You Bring Your Elderly Parents to the UK Under the Adult Relative Dependent Visa?

Yes, you can. But you must also understand that the success rate for these applications are very low. 

The UK Home Office is often stricter with these cases to ensure the criteria are genuinely met.

4 Common Reasons Why Applications Are Refused

• Evidence provided to support their need for quality care in the UK was insufficient.
• The Home Office decided that adequate care is available in the parent’s home country.
• The family sponsor in the UK couldn’t prove that they have sufficient resources to support their parents.
• The nature of the relationship between the sponsor and parent doesn’t seem genuine enough.

Challenges of Bringing Parents to the UK in 2025 and How to Overcome Them

1. Proving Care Needs and Unavailability

This is often the biggest hurdle in the application process. To overcome it, get a detailed medical report from a specialist, not just general practitioners.

Research and document the care options in your parent’s country thoroughly, to be sure that it’s unavailable or too expensive to use.

2. Meeting Financial Requirements

Ensure your income is stable and well-documented. Have enough savings before applying and be realistic about the long-term costs of supporting an elderly relative.

3. Dealing with Refusals

If your application is refused, carefully read the refusal letter to understand why. 

Also consult with an immigration lawyer to know whether you can appeal or if a fresh application with stronger evidence would be best.

4. Preparing for Life in the UK

Once approved, you also have to mentally and physically prepare for the healthcare transition and registration with NHS services.

Language may be a challenge for your adult relatives so you have to be ready to assist them with daily interactions. Planning ahead of their arrival will make the transition smoother for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Bringing your parents or other adult relatives to the UK through the adult relative dependent visa is not easy but it is possible with adequate preparation and strong evidence. 

The requirements are designed to ensure that those who truly need family care in the UK can receive it. Just focus on proving that they have genuine care needs that cannot be met in the applicant’s home country.

Start your preparations early, gather enough evidence, and consider seeking professional advice to improve your chances of reuniting your family in the UK.