Elderly Dependent Visa (Adult Dependent Relative): Bring Parents to the UK

Evidence Required to Meet the ADR Legal Test

Elderly Dependent Visa UK applications are decided on evidence, not assertions. The burden is on the applicant and sponsor to demonstrate that both parts of the legal test are met to the standard required by the Immigration Rules.

The Home Office expects specific, detailed, and independent evidence showing:

• The applicant’s need for long-term personal care, and
• The required level of care is not available or cannot be reasonably afforded in the home country, even with financial support from the UK.

Generic statements, informal letters, or unsubstantiated claims are a common cause of refusal. Evidence must be current, relevant to the applicant’s circumstances, and consistent across all documents submitted.

Medical Evidence and Care Needs Assessments

Medical evidence must clearly demonstrate that the applicant requires long-term personal care for everyday living due to age, illness, or disability. This typically involves independent medical reports that describe the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and why ongoing care is necessary.

Care needs assessments should explain what level of assistance is required, how frequently, and whether the need is expected to continue. Evidence should be current, objective, and consistent with other documents in the application.

The Home Office gives limited weight to informal statements or unsupported opinions. Where medical evidence is vague, outdated, or generic, applications are commonly refused.

Evidence of Care Availability and Costs in the Home Country

In addition to medical evidence, applicants must show that the required level of care cannot be provided or reasonably afforded in the home country, even with financial support from the UK.

This typically involves evidence addressing:

• The availability and standard of care services locally, and
• The actual cost of obtaining equivalent long-term care.

The assessment focuses on whether suitable care exists in practice, not whether family members prefer relocation. The Home Office will compare the applicant’s care needs with what can realistically be arranged locally. Applications are often refused where this evidence is incomplete, outdated, or based on general statements rather than specific, costed information.

Financial Evidence and Maintenance in the UK

The UK-based sponsor must demonstrate the ability to maintain and support the Elderly Dependent Visa UK without recourse to public funds. There is no fixed minimum income threshold for ADR applications. Instead, the assessment is based on whether the sponsor’s financial resources are sufficient to meet the applicant’s needs.

Financial evidence should show the sponsor’s income, savings, and ongoing financial stability, and how these will be used to cover living and care-related costs in the UK. The evidence must be clear, current, and consistent with the proposed care arrangements.

The Home Office will consider whether the sponsor can realistically support the applicant over the long term. Applications are commonly refused where financial evidence is unclear, unsupported, or does not align with the level of care claimed.

Accommodation Evidence in the UK

The sponsor must show that adequate accommodation is available in the UK for the adult dependent relative, without reliance on public housing. The accommodation must be suitable for the applicant’s care needs, taking into account their age, health, and any mobility or support requirements.

Evidence should confirm that the accommodation will not be overcrowded and that it provides a safe and appropriate living environment. Where relevant, this may include details of how care will be delivered at the property or nearby.

The Home Office will assess accommodation evidence alongside medical and financial documents. Applications may be refused where accommodation details are unclear, unsuitable for the applicant’s needs, or unsupported by evidence.