Bringing Parents to the UK Permanently
To permanently bring parents to the UK, the Parent of a British Child (under 18) visa and the Adult Dependent Relative visa are the two best visa options.
Bringing your parents to the UK permanently can be a complex process and it is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and understand the application requirements for each visa.
To explore visa options to bring your parents to the UK permanently, contact our immigration solicitors in London at 0203 959 7755 or fill in the contact form.
Table of Contents
- Can I bring my parents to the UK permanently?
- What is the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa?
- What is a Parent of a British Child visa?
- Alternative routes for bringing your parents to the UK
- Bringing parents to the UK for a visit
- How can Moeen & Co. Solicitors help?
- Contact immigration solicitors in London
Can I bring my parents to the UK permanently?
You can permanently bring your parents to the UK through the Parent of a British Child (under 18) visa or the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa.
Choosing between the Parent of a British Child visa and the Adult Dependent Relative visa depends on your specific circumstances.
What is the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa?
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa is one of the primary routes for bringing parents to the UK permanently.
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa allows British citizens or settled persons to bring elderly or dependent parents to the UK for long-term personal care.
The ADR visa is for parents who are elderly or require long-term care due to age, illness, or disability and that's not available or affordable at home.
UK Adult Dependent Relative visa eligibility criteria
To qualify for the ADR visa, both the applicant and their UK-based sponsor must meet specific criteria:
Sponsor Requirements:
- Must be a British or Irish citizen or hold permanent residency in the UK.
- May also qualify if holding pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (before January 2021) or have humanitarian protection.
Applicant Requirements:
- Must be over 18 years old.
- Must have a long-term illness, disability, or age-related condition that makes independent living impossible.
- Must demonstrate that adequate care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.
- The sponsor must prove they can financially support the applicant without reliance on public funds for at least five years.
Financial Support Requirements:
The sponsor must provide evidence of their ability to care for and accommodate the applicant. This includes:
- A detailed floor plan of their home, highlighting room sizes and usage.
- Recent bank statements showing sufficient income and savings.
How to apply for the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa?
Complete the Application Form:
- Applicants must submit Appendix 1 for VAF4A as part of their visa application.
Prepare Supporting Documents:
- Birth certificates, passports, and biometric residence permits (if applicable).
- Proof of the sponsor's residency status.
- Evidence of the applicant's care needs, including medical reports.
- Financial documents to prove the sponsor's ability to support the applicant.
Submit the Online Application:
- Begin the process online and ensure all required documents are notarised and translated into English or Welsh.
Common reasons for Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa refusals
Applications may be refused for several reasons:
- Insufficient evidence of care needs or dependency.
- The belief that adequate care is available in the applicant's home country.
- The sponsor's inability to demonstrate sufficient financial means.
Refusals can be appealed based on family life rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
What is a Parent of a British Child visa?
You might be eligible to live in the UK to care for your child. If you qualify as a partner, you must apply under that category instead of as a parent.
Eligibility criteria for children
Your child must either:
- be under 18 on the date of your application, or
- have been under 18 when you were first granted leave to remain.
Your child must:
- live with you, unless they're living away from home in full-time education.
- not be married or in a civil partnership.
Also, your child must be living in the UK and meet one of the following criteria:
- be a British or Irish citizen.
- be settled in the UK (e.g., hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, Settled Status, or proof of permanent residence).
- be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and hold Pre-Settled Status, having started living in the UK before 1 January 2021.
- If applying from within the UK, your child must have lived in the UK for 7 continuous years, and it must be deemed unreasonable for them to leave.
If your child has Settled or Pre-Settled Status, you may also qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme or an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.
Eligibility criteria for parents
To be eligible for the UK parent visa, as a parent of a British child you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- You must be living outside the UK at the time of application.
- You must be the biological parent of a British citizen or have sole parental responsibility for a British child.
- You must have the intention to live together in the UK.
- You must meet the financial requirements, demonstrating that you can financially support yourselves without relying on public funds.
- You must have suitable accommodation available for you and your child.
- You must meet the English language proficiency requirement.
Parental Responsibility
You must have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child. If you share responsibility, the child's other parent must:
- Not be your partner, and
- Be either:
- A British or Irish citizen, or
- Settled in the UK, or
- From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with Pre-Settled Status, having started living in the UK before 1 January 2021.
If your child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have in-person access to the child. This must be agreed upon by the other parent, carer, or a court order.
How to apply for a UK visa as a parent of a British child?
A person applying for entry clearance as a parent of a British child must apply online on the gov.uk website.
Gather Required Documents:
- Collect all the required documents, including identification, proof of relationship with the child, financial records, and any other supporting evidence specified in the visa application guidelines.
Complete Online Application Form:
- Fill out the online visa application form accurately and honestly. Provide all requested information and double-check for any errors or omissions before submission.
Pay Visa Application Fee:
- Once you have completed the application form, you will need to pay the application fee.
Book and Attend Appointments:
- After payment, you will be required to schedule a biometric appointment at a designated visa application centre. During this appointment, your fingerprints and photographs will be taken.
Waiting for Decision
- Wait for a decision on your application. The processing time of a UK visa application can vary depending on the country from which you are applying and the type of service.
Alternative routes for bringing your parents to the UK
If your parent does not qualify for the Dependent visa, there are other choices:
- UK Standard Visitor visa (up to six months).
- Investment visas for those with a lot of money.
- Skilled Worker visa if they meet eligibility criteria.
- Joining a spouse or partner in the UK, if possible.
- Family reunion visa (if you're a refugee or have humanitarian protection).
It is highly recommended to consult with an expert UK immigration solicitor to explore all the available options and eligibility assessments.
Bringing parents to the UK for a visit
If your parent does not qualify for the Dependent visa, they could visit you temporarily on a Standard Visitor visa. However, they must leave the UK when the visa expires (usually within 6 months).
UK Standard Visitor visa eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a visitor visa, your parents must:
- prove they intend to leave the UK before their visa expires.
- proof that your parents can support themselves during their stay.
- show that they will be able to pay for their return or onward journey.
- provide evidence of their relationship with you.
- demonstrate strong ties to their home country to ensure they will return after the visit.
- meet all other eligibility criteria depending on their circumstances.
How can Moeen & Co. Solicitors help?
- Assess your parent's circumstances and explore the best available visa option.
- Assess whether they meet the eligibility criteria for the selected visa category.
- Advise about the supporting documents needed.
- Complete the visa application form correctly and submit it on time.
- Handle correspondence with UKVI throughout the process.
- Monitor application progress and provide updates.
Contact immigration solicitors in London
Contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755. Our immigration solicitors in London are ready to assist with your parent's visa application.
There are several ways to contact our solicitors based in Hayes, London:
- Phone - Call us on 0203 959 7755
- Email us - info@moeenco.com
- Online - Fill in our online enquiry form
- Visit our office - Room 1, The Winning Box, 27-37 Station Road, Hayes UB3 4DX
We are located near Hayes and Harlington Station on Hayes High Street, in Hayes Town Centre.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.